Principal Electrical Engineer I - RPU Unit Lead

EVONA; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

EVONA in Austin, Texas is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer I – RPU Unit Lead to guide the development of next-generation spaceborne payloads for satellite communications. The role centers on owning the full lifecycle from architecture to flight readiness, managing a multidisciplinary team, and acting as the primary technical interface with programme management and customers.

The RPU Unit Lead will oversee architecture, design, environmental qualification, and production transition,

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering (or related discipline).
• 9+ years of electronics hardware development experience.
• Experience leading complex engineering programmes or multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong systems engineering, verification & validation, and hardware integration experience.
• Background in space, aerospace, defence, or other high-reliability electronics environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of VPX-based spaceflight hardware.
• Own technical execution, schedule, and product delivery.
• Drive system architecture, integration, verification, and flight qualification.
• Lead cross-functional teams across RF, digital, software, power, mechanical, thermal, and systems engineering.
• Support the transition from development into production.

Skills

Electronics hardware development

Systems engineering

Leadership

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

VPX-based hardware design

Job description

Principal Electrical Engineer I – RPU Unit Lead

Austin, Texas | On-Site

We're looking for a Principal Electrical Engineer to lead the development of next-generation spaceborne payloads for cutting‑edge satellite communications systems.

As the RPU Unit Lead (Responsible Engineer), you'll take ownership of the full product lifecycle—from architecture and design through integration, environmental qualification, and flight readiness. You'll lead a multidisciplinary engineering team and act as the key technical interface between engineering, programme management, and customers.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the design and delivery of VPX-based spaceflight hardware
• Own technical execution, schedule, and product delivery
• Drive system architecture, integration, verification, and flight qualification
• Lead cross-functional teams across RF, digital, software, power, mechanical, thermal, and systems engineering
• Support the transition from development into production

What we’re looking for:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering (or related discipline)
• 9+ years of electronics hardware development experience
• Experience leading complex engineering programmes or multidisciplinary teams
• Strong systems engineering, verification & validation, and hardware integration experience
• Background in space, aerospace, defence, or other high-reliability electronics environments

Bonus points for experience with:

• Software Defined Radios (SDR)
• Responsible Engineer, Chief Engineer, Technical Lead or IPT Lead roles
• NewSpace or satellite payload development