Senior Space Avionics Engineer — Flight Systems Lead

Katalyst; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 145,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Katalyst is seeking a highly experienced avionics engineer to own the architecture and detailed electrical design of upgrade modules, guiding them from concept through qualification, integration, and on-orbit operations. You will coordinate across software, GNC, power, and payload systems while ensuring robust hardware and EMI/EMC compliance. The role demands hands-on expertise, leadership, and clear communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5-8 years of experience designing and delivering complex electrical or avionics hardware for spacecraft, aerospace, defense, robotics, or other mission-critical systems.
• Demonstrated ownership of avionics or embedded electronics from architecture and schematic design through bring-up, integration, verification, and qualification.
• Strong fundamentals in analog and digital circuit design, embedded processors/FPGAs, power electronics interfaces, high-speed/serial communications, and hardware debugging.
• Hands-on proficiency with laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, power supplies, electronic loads, and data acquisition equipment.
• Strong technical communication skills and the ability to work effectively across hardware, software, systems, manufacturing, and program teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where ownership, initiative, and sound engineering judgment are essential.

Responsibilities

• Own flight avionics architecture and detailed electrical design for upgrade modules from concept through qualification, integration, launch, and on-orbit operations.
• Design, analyze, and release spacecraft electronics including processor/compute boards, power conversion and distribution interfaces, sensor/actuator interfaces, communications interfaces, and supporting analog/digital circuitry.
• Develop electrical schematics, component selections, interface definitions, grounding/bonding approaches, and board-level requirements; partner with PCB layout and manufacturing through build and bring-up.
• Drive avionics integration across flight software, GNC, power, communications, propulsion, robotics, and payload systems, resolving electrical and data-interface issues at the spacecraft level.
• Plan and execute board bring-up, functional test, environmental qualification, EMI/EMC testing, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and spacecraft-level integration; lead anomaly investigation and root-cause closure.
• Perform and review worst-case circuit analysis, power and signal integrity analysis, timing/bus analysis, derating, reliability assessments, and radiation-informed part selection appropriate to mission needs.
• Create high-quality engineering documentation and technical baselines, and contribute to major design reviews and flight readiness decisions.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Embedded Electronics

Analog & Digital Design

Power Electronics

High‑Speed Communications

Hardware Debugging

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ECAD Tools

PCB Layout

Laboratory Equipment

Job description

Katalyst is seeking a highly experienced avionics engineer to own the architecture and detailed electrical design of upgrade modules, guiding them from concept through qualification, integration, and on-orbit operations. You will coordinate across software, GNC, power, and payload systems while ensuring robust hardware and EMI/EMC compliance. The role demands hands-on expertise, leadership, and clear communication.