Propulsion Electronics Engineer - Flight PCB & Controls

HIKINEX; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

HIKINEX in Costa Mesa, CA seeks a seasoned Electrical Engineer to lead full-cycle PCB design for propulsion systems. You will translate high-level requirements into robust schematics, layout high-density boards, select components, bring-up, test, and integrate with the engine system.

The role emphasizes analog, digital, and power electronics, with strong emphasis on DFMEA, thermal analysis, and tests under extreme conditions. Collaboration across mechanical, software, and QA teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with 5+ years of experience designing, testing, and troubleshooting complex board designs.
• Solid engineering fundamentals across Analog, Digital, and Power Electronics.
• Deep proficiency with electronic design tools, specifically Altium Designer and LTSpice.
• Competence with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, thermal chambers, spectrum analyzers, function generators, DMMs, electronic loads, power supplies, and test automation.
• Familiarity with interfaces CAN, I2C, SPI, Ethernet and common MCU/CPU architectures.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Full Cycle PCB Design: Translate system-level propulsion requirements into robust designs, schematic capture and high-density PCB layouts.
• Engine System Electronics: Design and optimize flight controller circuits, power distribution, motor controller, and electromagnetic actuator circuits.
• Rigorous Analysis: Conduct circuit simulations, worst-case analysis, thermal analysis, DFMEA, and component derating for reliability.
• Comprehensive Testing: Lead board bring-ups, DVT, qualification testing, and functional testing.
• Collaborative Design: Provide electrical support and collaborate with mechanical, thermal, software, test, quality, manufacturing, and systems engineering.
• Peer Reviews: Conduct peer-level and cross-discipline design reviews.
• Root Cause Analysis: Perform root cause and failure analysis in support of engine test and field operations.

Skills

Analog electronics

Digital electronics

Power electronics

CAN

I2C

SPI

Ethernet

DFMEA

Altium Designer

LTSpice

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE)

Tools

Altium Designer

LTSpice

Job description

HIKINEX in Costa Mesa, CA seeks a seasoned Electrical Engineer to lead full-cycle PCB design for propulsion systems. You will translate high-level requirements into robust schematics, layout high-density boards, select components, bring-up, test, and integrate with the engine system.

The role emphasizes analog, digital, and power electronics, with strong emphasis on DFMEA, thermal analysis, and tests under extreme conditions. Collaboration across mechanical, software, and QA teams is essential.