Senior Electrical Engineering - Satellite Systems (San Jose California)

Astro Digital; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Astro Digital designs, builds, and operates satellites from our San Jose office, leading the hardware development of next‑generation spacecraft. You will guide the team through design, debugging, and power electronics to ensure space‑ready hardware and robust verification processes.

You will mentor engineers, review schematics, and stay hands‑on as needed while collaborating with software, systems, and mechanical teams to deliver flight‑worthy hardware for challenging space missions.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering.
• 6+ years hardware development in high‑reliability electronics.
• Hands-on debugging of digital and power electronics.
• PCB design with Altium or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of serial protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, Ethernet).
• Ability to mentor and collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware design and system integration for satellites.
• Review schematics and troubleshoot in lab.
• Guide junior engineers and set technical direction.
• Define engineering standards and oversee reviews and tests.
• Collaborate with software, systems, and mechanical teams to deliver flight-ready hardware.

Skills

Debugging electronics

Digital systems

Power systems

PCB design

Serial protocols

Mentoring

Education

B.S. / M.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

Job description

Astro Digital designs, builds, and operates a diverse range of small satellite systems supporting space-based turnkey missions for several business applications, including earth observation, communications, in-orbit demonstrations, risk reduction, science, and exploration. Astro Digital is headquartered in Littleton, Colorado with offices in San Jose, California, Sydney, Australia with roughly 85 employees and infrastructure around the globe.

About the Role

We're looking for an exceptional electrical engineer who is ready to take the next step as our Senior Electrical Engineering. This role is ideal for someone who has mastered hardware design, digital system debugging, and power electronics.

You’ll lead and grow our hardware team building next-generation satellites, blending hands‑on engineering. You’ll guide engineers of all experience levels, help troubleshoot tough problems, and set the technical direction that ensures our spacecraft hardware is reliable, testable, and space-ready.

What You’ll Do

• Work with electrical engineering team across design, debug, and system integration.
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineers, helping them build confidence and capability through reviews, coaching, and hands‑on problem solving.
• Stay hands‑on when needed — reviewing schematics, debugging in the lab with scopes and analyzers, and supporting board bring‑up.
• Debug digital systems (logic‑level circuits, microcontrollers, interfaces) and power systems (DC/DC converters, power distribution, system‑level power integrity).
• Troubleshoot and validate serial protocols (I²C, SPI, UART, CAN, Ethernet).
• Define engineering standards and oversee design reviews, test processes, and validation.
• Collaborate with software, systems, and mechanical teams to deliver integrated, flight‑ready hardware.

What We’re Looking For

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering (or related).
• 6+ years of hardware development experience in complex, high-reliability electronics (aerospace, defense, medical devices, automotive, telecom, or similar industries all welcome).
• Strong, hands‑on background in debugging electronics — especially digital systems and power systems.
• Proficiency with PCB design tools (Altium or similar).
• Solid knowledge of serial communication protocols (I²C, SPI, UART, CAN, Ethernet).
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to mentor junior engineers and collaborate across teams.

Bonus:

• Spacecraft or aerospace hardware experience.
• Familiarity with environmental testing (thermal, vibration, EMI/EMC).
• Knowledge of design‑for‑test, fault tolerance, or rad‑hard electronics.