Lead Space Hardware Engineer

Innoflight; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit-Sharing Bonus

Cash Performance Bonus

401(k) with 3% company match

Medical, dental, vision, HSA & life

Job summary

Innoflight in San Diego is seeking a Senior Hardware Engineer III to own high-speed electronic hardware for spacecraft subsystems. You will lead analog, digital, and power electronics design from concept through integration, collaborating with software, firmware, mechanical, and systems teams.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, mentorship, and delivering mission-critical hardware that withstands radiation and space environments, while advancing test automation and EMI/EMC practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline (Master’s preferred).
• 5+ years designing complex embedded and board-level hardware.
• Strong background in high-speed digital and analog circuit design including FPGAs, microprocessor-based systems, memory architectures.
• Experience with schematic capture and PCB design tools such as Altium, OrCAD, or HyperLynx.
• Proficiency in signal and power integrity analysis, impedance control, EMI/EMC compliance.
• Familiarity with radiation testing, space-grade component selection, and thermal management.
• Hands-on experience developing test automation scripts (Python, PowerShell) or reference designs (Linux, VHDL).
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead Advanced Hardware Design: drive the design, validation, and debugging of analog, power, and embedded board-level electronic systems.
• Develop High-Speed Interfaces: design Rocket I/O, Ethernet, PCI-e, DDR, RS-422, and LVDS interfaces for FPGAs, microcontrollers, and memory devices used in spacecraft systems.
• Design Power Systems: develop linear and high-efficiency switching power supplies to meet demanding board-level voltage and current requirements.
• Guide PCB Layout: provide expert direction for stack-up configuration, impedance control, signal and power integrity, EMI/EMC considerations.
• Perform Advanced Analyses: conduct SPICE simulations and signal/power integrity analysis to ensure robust operation in radiation and space environments.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines: work closely with software, firmware, mechanical, and systems teams to achieve seamless hardware integration and performance alignment.
• Document and Review: develop and review detailed design documentation, including specifications, ICDs, test procedures, and user manuals.
• Support Manufacturing and Test: lead troubleshooting, system integration, and test automation efforts using Linux, Python, PowerShell, or VHDL reference designs.
• Ensure Compliance: oversee component selection and validation to meet radiation, EMI/EMC, and space-grade reliability requirements.
• Mentor and Lead: provide technical guidance to junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvement of design processes.

Skills

High-speed digital

Analog design

FPGAs

Microprocessor-based systems

Memory architectures

Schematic capture

PCB design tools

Python

PowerShell

VHDL

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Altium

OrCAD

HyperLynx

Job description

Innoflight in San Diego is seeking a Senior Hardware Engineer III to own high-speed electronic hardware for spacecraft subsystems. You will lead analog, digital, and power electronics design from concept through integration, collaborating with software, firmware, mechanical, and systems teams.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, mentorship, and delivering mission-critical hardware that withstands radiation and space environments, while advancing test automation and EMI/EMC practices.