Senior Electrical Engineer (Avionics Subsystems Lead)

True Anomaly, Inc.; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-sponsored healthcare

Generous time off

Equity

401k and Roth 401k options

Job summary

True Anomaly, Inc. seeks a Subsystem Lead to own the avionics subsystem across space vehicle programs.

You will design, analyze, build, test, and deliver the subsystem within cost and schedule targets, coordinating with program leadership and other subsystem leads. You will manage subsystem requirements, verification, interfaces, and risk, and lead design reviews while working with suppliers and systems engineering.

Qualifications

• Strong electrical engineering fundamentals with depth to work with digital, FPGA, power, RF, and harness engineers
• Experience writing and managing subsystem specifications, ICDs, and verification matrices
• Hands-on ownership of a subsystem through at least one full lifecycle phase (design, build, test, or operations)
• Experience leading hardware anomaly investigations and root-cause and corrective action
• Experience with space environmental testing and space-grade parts selection and derating
• Experience working with government or defense customers and interpreting defense specifications

Responsibilities

• Own the avionics subsystem design, analysis, build, test, and delivery
• Lead subsystem requirements, verification, and ICDs
• Manage subsystem interfaces with adjacent subsystems and resolve issues
• Drive schedule by feeding milestones into IMS and tracking progress weekly
• Lead design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) and ensure readiness
• Coordinate with suppliers on SOWs, evaluations, and acceptance data
• Support integration, environmental tests, launch, commissioning, and on-orbit operations
• Make day-to-day decisions within subsystem boundaries and escalate as needed

Skills

Electrical Engineering

FPGA

Power Systems

RF

Harness

Subsystem Lead

Design Reviews

Test Readiness

Anomaly Investigation

Technical Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, or Aerospace Engineering

Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field

Job description

• We’re hiring a Subsystem Lead (SSL) to own the avionics subsystem on one or more of our space vehicle programs. You’ll be accountable for delivering a subsystem that meets its requirements, cost, and schedule, from program start through on-orbit operations
• You own the technical solution: design, analysis, build, test, and delivery. You carry it out with engineers and technicians assigned by the Avionics functional team
• You’re the single point of contact for your subsystem to program leadership (Program Manager and Chief Engineer) and to the other subsystem leads on the vehicle
• System-level requirements, architecture, and system engineering come from the program’s Systems Engineering team. You partner with them and own everything inside your subsystem boundary
• Deliver the subsystem. Own the design, analysis, build, test, and delivery of the avionics subsystem within its allocated technical and cost targets. Run practical trades to hit those targets, and raise to program leadership when the subsystem can’t meet cost or technical requirements
• Own subsystem requirements and verification. Turn your subsystem allocation into subsystem and component specifications, working with the program’s Systems Engineer and Chief Engineer. Keep the verification matrix complete, and close out verification items through qualification and acceptance
• Manage subsystem interfaces. Set up and maintain ICDs with adjacent subsystems (power, RF, harness, FSW, structures, thermal), and work through interface issues with their leads directly
• Drive the schedule. Feed subsystem milestones into the program IMS, plan the detailed work behind them, and update status weekly. Flag slips early and bring recovery options with you
• Report performance. Give timely status against the Technical Performance Measures (TPMs) for your subsystem, such as mass, power, thermal dissipation, cost, and margin
• Own subsystem risk. Build and maintain the subsystem risk register, covering technical, supply, schedule, and cost risk, and raise risks that threaten program success
• Lead design reviews. Present your subsystem at PDR, CDR, TRR, and tabletop reviews, with the analysis behind your design choices (worst-case, thermal, radiation, derating)
• Manage suppliers. Write the technical sections of SOWs, review proposals, help select vendors with Supply Chain, review acceptance data before shipment, and witness supplier testing
• Run build and test. Coordinate daily with the engineers and technicians building and testing hardware, and remove blockers. Lead anomaly investigations and corrective action with Quality. Decide on retest, rework, or use-as-is together with the CE
• Support integration and operations. Support vehicle integration, environmental test (TVAC, vibe, shock), launch-site operations, commissioning, and on-orbit anomaly response. Feed lessons learned into the next design
• Make decisions. Make the day-to-day calls that don’t affect subsystem requirements, the cost baseline, or the delivery schedule, and tell the CE, PM, and functional leaders what you decided. Escalate decisions that cross those thresholds, along with a recommendation
• Follow process. Run your scope through company processes for change management (ECO/ERB), anomaly resolution, and configuration control
• WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE:
• Your subsystem meets requirements at each gate, with TPMs reported and margins visible
• Subsystem milestones in the IMS are current, and slips are flagged with recovery options before they affect the program
• The ICDs with adjacent subsystems are baselined before CDR
• The verification matrix is 100% dispositioned before delivery
• The risk register is current, and no risk reaches the program without first being raised by you
• Decisions are made quickly and owned clearly: you own trades within your subsystem, the CE arbitrates trades that cross subsystem boundaries, and the PM owns significant cost and schedule impacts

Benefits

• 100% Employer-Sponsored Healthcare: We’ve got you covered! Our comprehensive healthcare package is fully sponsored, ensuring you and your loved ones stay healthy and worry-free, so you can focus on shaping the future of space security.
• Generous Time Off: We believe in working hard and recharging fully. Our generous vacation policy gives you the flexibility to take the time you need to relax, explore, and come back energized to take on new challenges.
• Equity: Own an equity stake in True Anomaly as you build something transformative. With equity options, you’re not just working for True Anomaly; you’re an owner. As an essential part of our growth and future success, we want you to share in the upside potential!
• 401k and Roth 401k options: Plan for tomorrow with our 401K and Roth 401K options that put you in control of your financial future.
• Learning & Development Opportunities: Your growth fuels our innovation. We’re committed to providing you with the resources and training to expand your skills, spark new ideas, and advance your career with us.

Requirements

• Strong electrical engineering fundamentals, with enough depth to work credibly with digital, FPGA, power (EPS), RF, and harness engineers5+ years of experience designing, building, and testing avionics or electrical hardware for flight, space, or defense programs
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, or Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• Experience writing and managing subsystem specifications, ICDs, and verification matrices
• Experience leading hardware anomaly investigations and root-cause and corrective action
• Hands-on ownership of a subsystem or major assembly through at least one full lifecycle phase (design, build, test, or operations)
• Experience working with suppliers: SOWs, technical evaluations, acceptance data review
• Clear written and verbal communication with engineers, program leadership, and customers
• Experience leading design reviews and test readiness reviews
• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field
• Experience as an RE, IPT lead, CAM, or subsystem lead on a spacecraft program
• Familiarity with spacecraft avionics architectures: flight computers, data handling, power distribution, RF, and harness
• Experience with space environmental testing (TVAC, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC) and space-grade parts selection and derating
• Experience supporting launch, commissioning, or on-orbit operations
• Experience working with government or defense customers and interpreting defense specifications
• Experience in a fast-paced startup or similarly dynamic hardware environment