Electrical Engineer - Satellite Systems (San Jose California)

Astro Digital; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Astro Digital is seeking an electrical engineer to join our hardware team, building next-generation satellite hardware from design through testing. You will work hands-on in the lab, debug analog and digital circuits, and help ensure flight-ready electronics for challenging space missions.

You will collaborate with software, systems, and mechanical engineers to validate designs, perform board bring-up, and contribute to design reviews and test procedures in a fast-paced space-tech environment.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering (or related field).
• 3–5 years of hands-on electronics experience.
• Strong grounding in analog and digital circuits with lab skills.
• Experience with PCB design tools (Altium or similar).
• Familiarity with I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, Ethernet serial protocols.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to electrical engineering across design, debug, and system integration.
• Build, wire, test hardware in lab; take measurements with test equipment.
• Perform board bring-up and checkout; document results.
• Debug digital and power systems; verify interfaces.
• Validate serial protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, Ethernet).
• Review schematics and participate in design reviews and tests.
• Collaborate with software, systems, and mechanical teams for flight-ready hardware.

Skills

Analog & Digital

Lab Skills

PCB Design

Serial Protocols

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

B.S./M.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

Job description

Astro Digital designs, builds, and operates a diverse range of small satellite systems supporting space-based turnkey missions for several business applications, including earth observation, communications, in-orbit demonstrations, risk reduction, science, and exploration. Astro Digital is headquartered in Littleton, Colorado with offices in San Jose, California, and Sydney, Australia, with roughly 85 employees and infrastructure around the globe.

About the Role

We're looking for an electrical engineer to join our hardware team building next-generation satellites. This role suits someone with a solid grounding in analog and digital electronics who wants to own hardware end to end - designing, building, debugging, and testing flight hardware.

You'll work alongside experienced engineers, contributing directly to spacecraft hardware across design, debug, and system integration. You'll spend meaningful time in the lab, participate in design reviews, and help ensure our spacecraft hardware is reliable, testable, and space-ready.

What You'll Do

• Contribute to electrical engineering across design, debug, and system integration.
• Get hands-on in the lab - building, wiring, and testing hardware, and taking measurements with oscilloscopes, multimeters, and analyzers.
• Perform board bring-up and checkout, capturing results and resolving anomalies.
• Debug digital systems (logic-level circuits, microcontrollers, interfaces) and power systems (DC/DC converters, power distribution).
• Validate serial protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, Ethernet).
• Review and mark up schematics, and contribute to design reviews, test procedures, and validation documentation.
• Collaborate with software, systems, and mechanical teammates to deliver integrated, flight-ready hardware.

What We're Looking For

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering (or a related field).
• 3-5 years of hands-on electronics experience.
• Solid understanding of analog and digital circuits, plus strong hands-on lab skills (soldering, bench instruments).
• Experience with PCB design tools (Altium or similar).
• Working knowledge of at least one serial communication protocol (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, Ethernet).
• Strong problem-solving instincts and clear communication.

Bonus:

• Experience with spacecraft, aerospace, or RF hardware.
• Environmental testing (thermal, vibration, EMI/EMC).
• Scripting for test and automation (Python, LabVIEW).
• Hands-on experience from a robotics team, CubeSat, FSAE, or similar hardware project.