Power Electronics Engineer (Electric Propulsion) El Segundo, CA

Gengalactic; El Segundo, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

PTO

401k

Stock options

Job summary

General Galactic Technologies Corporation is seeking a Power Electronics Engineer to own the PPU development for electric propulsion across multiple spacecraft platforms. You will guide designs from requirements through qualification, collaborating with propulsion, software, and avionics teams to create a robust PPU interface with the spacecraft.

The role emphasizes hands-on bench work, rapid iteration, and the ability to operate with high agency in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• 4+ years hands-on experience in development of power electronics for spacecraft.
• Schematic and PCB layout design tools (Altium, KiCad, etc.).
• Experience designing isolated DC-DC converters through bring-up and test.
• Circuit simulation (LTSpice or similar) of isolated DC-DC converters.
• Programming ability in C++, Python, etc.
• Experience with PPUs for electric thrusters or plasma devices.
• NewSpace approaches to radiation tolerant component selection.

Responsibilities

• Define and own power electronics architecture and converter topologies for a kW-class PPU.
• Develop circuit designs from concept through prototype, including component selection and PCB layout.
• Define PPU-to-spacecraft communication and power interface.
• Build, bring up and test hardware on bench and with electric thrusters; develop test plans and scripts.
• Qualify designs through vibration, shock, TVAC, EMI/EMC, and radiation testing.

Skills

Power electronics

Spacecraft electronics

Schematic/PCB layout

DC-DC converters

C++

Python

LTSpice

Tools

Altium

KiCad

PCB Layout tools

Job description

Power Electronics Engineer (Electric Propulsion)

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 may include:

• 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:

• 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

Your salary and incentives will be determined individually on the basis of the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

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

This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US 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.

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.

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