Senior Electrical Engineer, Avionics

Observable; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity opportunities

Flexible work environment

Unlimited PTO

Health & Wellness

Cutting-edge tools

Mission-driven culture

Inclusive team

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Observable Space in Los Angeles seeks a Senior Electrical Engineer (Avionics) to design and integrate electrical hardware for telescope and orbital systems. You will lead PCB development, wire harnessing, and multi-board computer projects, while collaborating with mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams.

The role emphasizes signal integrity, EMI/EMC compliance, and design for manufacturing with a fast-paced, iterative approach.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in electrical engineering.
• Strong background in DC power circuits and high-speed interfaces (I2C, SPI, CAN, Ethernet, MIPI, PCIe).
• Proficient in circuit debugging with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and multimeters.
• Experience with PCB rework including soldering and trace cutting.
• Experience with circuit simulation and design tools.
• Understanding of signal integrity, EMI/EMC, and power distribution.
• Familiarity with Altium and LTSpice.
• Knowledge of wire harnessing fundamentals and hi-pot testing.
• Strong focus on design for manufacturing and field reliability.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, iterative environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop electronic circuits, PCBs, and wire harnesses for telescope and orbital hardware.
• Own multi-board computer designs using high performance SoCs and FPGAs.
• Perform schematic capture, simulations, and layout reviews.
• Apply signal integrity, EMI/EMC, and power distribution practices.
• Build and test prototypes including PCB bring-up and rework.
• Develop test procedures for electrical subsystems.
• Perform root cause analysis using testing equipment.
• Collaborate with mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams.
• Define electrical interfaces and documentation for cross-team integration.
• Support DFM and DFR reviews for production transition.

Skills

PCB design

Wire harnessing

Circuit simulation

DFM/DFR

Signal integrity

EMI/EMC compliance

Power distribution

Soldering

Altium

LTSpice

Tools

Altium

LTSpice

Hyperlynx

SIwave

Job description

Senior Electrical Engineer, Avionics

Location: Los Angeles, CA

About Observable Space

At Observable Space, we're redefining how humanity observes and connects with the universe. We're a vertically integrated, high-growth, space technology company building industry-leading precision optics platforms for Earth and in space. Our systems are trusted by NASA, JPL, SpaceX, Boeing, Raytheon, and the US DoD, among others, and power the work of leading research institutions.

We combine precision opto-mechanical hardware, embedded computing, cloud orchestration, and developer-friendly APIs into world class products. From advanced ground stations, on orbit sensor suites, free space optical lasercom, to distributed compute platforms, we deliver the foundational systems enabling continuous, real-time navigation, observation, and communication in space.

Observable Space is backed by top-tier institutional investors including Lux, Upfront Ventures, RTX Ventures, Detroit Venture Partners and Embedded Ventures.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Electrical Engineer to join our dynamic team. This role will involve deep engagement with our product line of telescopes and orbital hardware. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in circuit fundamentals, with specific expertise in printed circuit board (PCB) design, wire harnessing, circuit simulation, and design for manufacturing (DFM). This role will report to the Director of Electrical Engineering.

What You'll Do

• Design and develop electronic circuits, PCBs, and wire harnesses for telescope and orbital hardware.

• Design and own complex multi board computers utilizing state of the art high performance SoCs and FPGAs.

• Perform circuit simulations, schematic capture, and layout reviews to ensure functionality, reliability, and manufacturability.

• Apply best practices for signal integrity, EMI/EMC compliance, and power distribution.

• Build and test prototypes, including PCB bring-up, rework, and modification (soldering, trace cutting, wiring).

• Develop and execute test procedures for electrical subsystems, ensuring design meets performance and safety requirements.

• Perform root cause analysis and debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, and spectrum analyzers.

• Collaborate with mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams to integrate electrical designs into complete systems.

• Define and document electrical interfaces, block diagrams, product requirements, assembly drawings, and other supporting documents to support cross-team integration.

• Support design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for reliability (DFR) reviews to ensure smooth transition from prototype to production.

What You'll Bring

• 6+ years of experience in a relevant electrical engineering role.

• Strong understanding of DC power circuits, common interfaces/protocols (I2C, SPI, CAN, Ethernet, MIPI, PCIe), ADCs, microcontrollers, opamps, and transistor circuits.

• Excellent circuit debugging skills, knowledge of power supplies, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, multimeters.

• Comfortable with PCB rework including soldering, staking, cutting traces, preparing wires.

• Experience with circuit simulation and design tools.

• Understanding of circuit board construction, transmission line structures, signal integrity, EMI/EMC, via types, and component types.

• Experience with Altium (or similar PCB software) and LTSpice (or similar software).

• Understanding of wire harnessing fundamentals such as electrical checkout, hi-pot testing, impedance characterization, and shielding.

• Acute product sense, placing an emphasis on design for manufacturing and field reliability.

• Ability to thrive in a fast paced dynamic environment where rapid prototyping is the norm.

• An iterative mindset- perfect is the enemy of good.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with signal integrity simulation software (Hyperlynx, SIwave).

• Real world experience with CMOS image sensors or other high data rate collection sensors.

• Understanding of radiation tolerant design for TID, SEE/SEU mitigation

• Past experience with HDI IPC-class 3 systems.

• Experience with high-reliability validation testing campaigns.

• Experience with high speed SerDes interface design and testing.

• Experience mitigating mechanical failure points for PCBs in vibration environments.

• A love of astronomy, physics, and science.

What We Offer

• Competitive Compensation – A salary package aligned with industry standards and your experience.

• Equity Opportunities – Take part in our success with stock options.

• Flexible Work Environment – Enjoy working from our office or in a hybrid work setup with the flexibility to work remotely part of the week. We require a minimum of 3 days per week in our office to support collaboration and team culture.

• Unlimited PTO – Take the time you need with our flexible, trust-based vacation policy, including paid holidays. We encourage everyone to rest, recharge, and take care of themselves.

• Health & Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% of the premium paid by the employer for employees.

• Cutting-Edge Tools – Get access to the latest hardware and software you need to do your best work.

• Mission-Driven Culture – Be part of a team working on meaningful challenges with real-world impact.

• Inclusive Team – We foster a supportive and diverse workplace where all voices are valued.

Why You'll Love It Here

• Be part of a mission-driven company helping shape the future of space infrastructure

• The opportunity to build and scale a global managed services organization from the ground up

• A collaborative culture that rewards initiative, curiosity, and results

• Competitive salary, equity opportunities, and comprehensive benefits