Power Electronics Engineer (Electric Propulsion)

Stanford Climate Ventures; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

PTO

401k

Stock options

Job summary

General Galactic in El Segundo, California is seeking a Power Electronics Engineer to work with a dynamic technical team in the design and analysis of electronic systems for spacecraft. You will own the design process of the Power Processing Unit for various spacecraft, ensuring integration with propulsion systems.

The ideal candidate will possess a BS in electrical or aerospace engineering and have over 4 years of hands-on development experience in power electronics. Benefits include medical plans, PTO, 401k, and stock options.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of hands-on experience in power electronics development for spacecraft.
• Demonstrated ability in circuit design and PCB layout.
• Experience in programming with C++, Python, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Define power electronics architecture and converter topologies.
• Carry circuit designs from concept through completion.
• Build and test hardware with electric thrusters.

Skills

Power electronics design

Schematic and PCB layout design

Experience with isolated DC-DC converters

Programming languages C++ and Python

Fast-paced startup experience

Education

BS in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related degree

Tools

Altium

KiCad

LTSpice

Job description

About General Galactic

General Galactic designs, builds, and flies advanced spacecraft that redefine what’s possible beyond Earth. Led by former SpaceX, Varda, Impulse, and Relativity engineers, our vision is to dominate cislunar space and build the railway to Mars – expanding access to high-energy orbits and enabling the next generation of missions along the way. Based in Los Angeles, California, we’re leveraging our paradigm-shifting water-based technology to reshape the space domain for good.

Job Description

As a Power Electronics Engineer, you will work closely with a focused technical team to design and analyze critical electronic systems for our product suite, including Seldon and Dreadnought spacecraft vehicles, Genesis propulsion systems, and more. You will have extreme ownership over your work, move quickly, and operate with high agency. As we grow, there will be opportunities to expand your role with the company.

In particular, you will own and build the Power Processing Unit (PPU) for General Galactic’s electric propulsion system for multiple spacecraft platforms. You will own your designs from requirements definition and architecture through prototyping, qualification and flight. You will work closely with other members of the engineering team across propulsion, software, avionics, and other disciplines to create a PPU that integrates well with the propulsion system and the spacecraft.

Responsibilities

• Define and own power electronics architecture and converter topologies, including for a kW-class PPU for an electric propulsion system.
• Take circuit designs from concept through completion, including component selection, circuit analysis, schematic capture, and PCB layout.
• Define PPU-to-spacecraft communication and power interface.
• Build, bring up and test hardware on the bench and with electric thrusters, while developing test plans, equipment, and scripts.
• Qualify designs through vibration, shock, TVAC, EMI/EMC, and radiation testing.

Requirements

Successful applicants should have most of the following:

• BS in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or similar degree.
• 4+ years of hands‑on experience in development of power electronics for spacecraft.
• Demonstrated experience with schematic and PCB layout design tools (Altium, KiCad, etc.).
• Proven track record of designing, building, and testing isolated DC‑DC converters through bring‑up and test.
• Prior experience with circuit simulation (LTSpice or similar) of isolated DC‑DC converters.
• Demonstrated programming ability in C++, Python, etc.
• Prior experience with PPUs for electric thrusters or other plasma devices.
• Prior experience with NewSpace approaches to radiation tolerant component selection.
• Experience in a fast‑paced startup environment or similar.
• Strong engineering background and first‑principles approach to problem solving even with incomplete or partial information.

This position requires access to information protected under U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, U.S. person status (including U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.

Benefits include medical/vision/dental/PTO/401k/stock options, and more!

Equal Employment Opportunity

General Galactic Technologies Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.