Power Electronics Engineer - Spacecraft Systems

Approach Venture; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Medical coverage

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Approach Venture is seeking a Power Electronics Engineer to lead the architecture and development of power electronics for advanced spacecraft propulsion. This hands-on role spans from schematic design to flight readiness, with cross‑functional collaboration across propulsion, avionics, software, and systems engineering.

You will own electrical designs, perform analyses, and drive testing and qualification to meet demanding space environments.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical or Aerospace Engineering required.
• 5+ years in power electronics hardware design.
• Experience with isolated DC-DC converters from concept to testing.
• Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout tools.
• C++, Python, or similar for test automation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and development of power electronics for propulsion systems.
• Design high-performance power conversion hardware, including isolated DC-DC converters and power processing units.
• Own electrical designs from requirements through schematic, PCB, prototyping, and flight readiness.
• Define electrical interfaces between propulsion and avionics.
• Perform circuit analysis, component selection, and design optimization for aerospace reliability.
• Develop and execute lab bring-up, integration, and testing of power electronics hardware.
• Create test plans, automation tools, and validation procedures for hardware verification.
• Support environmental qualification activities including vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC, and radiation testing.
• Collaborate with propulsion, software, avionics, and systems engineering teams.

Skills

Power electronics

Circuit analysis

Schematic capture

PCB layout

Test automation

Embedded C++

Python

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

KiCad

LTSpice

Job description

Power Electronics Engineer - Develop Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion Power Systems

Los Angeles, CA | On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join a seed-stage space technology startup developing advanced spacecraft and next-generation electric propulsion systems for demanding orbital missions. As the company expands its engineering team, we are seeking a Power Electronics Engineer to lead the design and development of high-performance power processing hardware that serves as the electrical backbone of advanced propulsion systems. This is a hands‑on engineering role with end-to-end ownership of power electronics development from architecture and circuit design through hardware bring‑up, environmental qualification, and flight integration. You will work closely with propulsion, avionics, software, and systems engineers to deliver reliable, flight‑ready power electronics capable of operating in challenging space environments.

About Us

We are an early-stage aerospace company developing advanced spacecraft and electric propulsion technologies for commercial and government space missions. Backed by venture funding and led by an experienced engineering team, we are building highly integrated spacecraft systems that push the boundaries of in‑space mobility. Engineers on our team have broad ownership, work across disciplines, and play a direct role in shaping both the technology and the future of the company.

Job Duties

• Lead the architecture and development of power electronics supporting advanced electric propulsion systems.
• Design high-performance power conversion hardware, including isolated DC‑DC converter topologies and power processing units.
• Own electrical designs from system requirements through schematic capture, PCB layout, prototype development, qualification, and flight readiness.
• Define electrical power and communication interfaces between propulsion systems and spacecraft avionics.
• Perform circuit analysis, component selection, and design optimization for high-reliability aerospace applications.
• Develop and execute laboratory bring‑up, integration, and performance testing of power electronics hardware.
• Create test plans, automation tools, and validation procedures for hardware verification.
• Support environmental qualification activities including vibration, thermal vacuum, shock, EMI/EMC, and radiation testing.
• Collaborate with propulsion, software, avionics, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless subsystem integration.
• Troubleshoot hardware issues, analyze test results, and continuously improve system performance.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience designing and developing power electronics hardware.
• Experience designing isolated DC‑DC converters from concept through testing and validation.
• Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout tools such as Altium, KiCad, or similar.
• Experience performing circuit simulation using LTSpice or comparable software.
• Hands‑on experience bringing up and testing electronic hardware in a laboratory environment.
• Programming experience using C++, Python, or similar languages for test automation or embedded development.
• Strong understanding of power conversion, analog electronics, and system integration.
• Ability to solve complex engineering challenges using first principles thinking.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced startup environment with significant technical ownership.

Preferred Experience

• Experience developing power processing units for spacecraft or electric propulsion systems.
• Background supporting plasma devices, electric thrusters, or other high‑voltage aerospace hardware.
• Familiarity with radiation‑tolerant electronics and component selection for space applications.
• Experience supporting environmental qualification including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC, and radiation testing.
• Knowledge of spacecraft electrical power systems and avionics integration.
• Startup or early‑stage hardware development experience.

Why Join Us

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
• Equity participation through stock options.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) program.
• Paid time off.
• Opportunity to own a critical spacecraft subsystem from initial architecture through flight.
• Significant technical ownership with direct collaboration alongside experienced aerospace engineers.
• Career growth within a rapidly expanding seed‑stage space company.

Compensation Details

$180,000 - $220,000