Spacecraft Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS) Lead Engineer

University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 146,000 - 229,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Colorado Boulder’s LASP invites applications for a Spacecraft EPS Lead Engineer to join the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt. You will own the electrical power subsystem, including batteries, power electronics, and solar interfaces, and lead a small team through integration, test, launch, and initial operations.

Ideal candidates will have hands-on experience with spacecraft power systems, strong engineering judgment, and the ability to coordinate with international

Qualifications

• The applicant must have hands-on electrical power system expertise and spacecraft hardware experience.
• Experience with integration, test, and launch is required.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the EPS team through spacecraft integration, test, and launch operations.
• Oversee battery, PCDU/PCDE, high-voltage power electronics, and solar interfaces.
• Develop power analysis tools, tests, and mission operation support.
• Mentor junior engineers and coordinate with international partners.
• Produce and maintain EPS documentation and flight rules.

Skills

Electrical power systems

Batteries

Solar arrays

Power electronics

Leadership

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

BS in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Job Summary

The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) is lookingfor a Spacecraft Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS) Lead Engineer,also commonly known as a Spacecraft Power Systems Engineer, to jointhe Spacecraft Team for the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt(EMA), a deep space mission that will tour the inner solar systemand explore the asteroid belt. Launch is expected in early2028.

The EPS design is mature and flight hardware is in integration andtest. We are looking for an experienced engineer who can takeownership of an established power subsystem and carry it throughspacecraft assembly, integration, and test (AIT/I&T), launch,and into mission operations. This mission builds on LASP’s growingexperience with deep-space missions, including its successful firstdeep-space mission, the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM).

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governingnondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating aworkplace where all individuals are treated with respect anddignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

Who We Are

Founded a decade before NASA, the Laboratory for Atmospheric andSpace Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder isrevolutionizing human understanding of the cosmos. LASP is deeplycommitted to inspiring and educating the next generation of spaceexplorers. From enabling the first exploratory rocket measurementsof Earth’s upper atmosphere to trailblazing observations of everyplanet in the solar system, LASP is at the forefront of solar,planetary and space physics research, space-weather monitoring, andthe search for evidence of habitable worlds.

LASP advances scientific discovery and inspires the next generationthrough research, innovation, and education in space sciences. Weemploy over 700 scientists, engineers, support personnel, andstudents that work closely to cultivate creative ideas and explorenovel solutions to make the impossible possible.

LASP is dedicated to building and maintaining a unique synergism ofexpertise in space science, engineering, and spacecraft operations.Through research projects, LASP participates actively in thetraining of the future leaders of space research and helps theUniversity of Colorado to educate students with valued technicaland scientific skills. Development and use of innovativetechnologies and continuing participation in new researchinitiatives ensures a strong leadership role for LASP into thefuture. LASP is proud of our work environment that supportsemployee creativity and productivity and offers opportunities for abroad range of experiences. Further information about LASP can befound here: https://lasp.colorado.edu/home/.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

The EPS Lead is the responsible engineer for the spacecraft powersubsystem and the electrical aspects of the solar-electricpropulsion (SEP) system. This includes the li-ion battery, powerconditioning and distribution electronics (PCDU/PCDE), high-voltageelectric propulsion (EP) power electronics, and the solar array andsolar array drive electrical interfaces. The EPS Lead directs asmall team of power subsystem engineers and students, owns EPSverification and test execution during the AIT campaign, leadssubsystem troubleshooting and anomaly resolution, and isresponsible for delivering the power analysis products, operationstools, and documentation needed to fly the mission.

Required Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The applicant must be a hands-on engineer with strong electricalpower system fundamentals and demonstrated experience takingspacecraft hardware through integration, test, and launch. The rolerequires sound engineering judgment, disciplined troubleshooting,clear communication with subsystem leads, systems engineering,mission operations, and international partners, and the ability tolead and mentor a small team.

Job Duties

• Lead the electrical power subsystem team through spacecraftintegration and test, launch, and early mission operations
• Serve as responsible engineer for the battery, powerconditioning and distribution electronics, high-voltage electricpropulsion power electronics, and solar array electricalinterfaces
• Plan and execute subsystem functional and performance tests,and support system-level test campaigns, ground support equipment(GSE/EGSE) usage, and program level reviews
• Lead EPS troubleshooting and anomaly investigation andresolution during integration, test, and operations
• Finalize EPS command and telemetry definitions and develop EPStelemetry displays for integration, test, and operations
• Perform and oversee final pre-launch power analyses andhigh-fidelity power system simulations
• Develop and maintain operations power analysis tools and powermodels used for mission planning
• Author and maintain EPS user’s manuals, operator’s guides,flight rules, and other operations products
• Support mission simulations, launch operations, andcruise-phase operations as the EPS subject matter expert
• Maintain EPS requirements verification status, technicalbudgets, and subsystem documentation
• Mentor junior engineers and students, including team membersfrom an international partner
• Communicate subsystem status, risks, and performance tospacecraft leadership and at program reviews
• Other Duties Assigned

What You Should Know

• This position supports the Emirates Mission to the AsteroidBelt (EMA), a deep-space mission with launch expected in early2028.
• The spacecraft is currently in the assembly, integration, andtest phase, so this role will join the project at a critical pointin mission development.
• The position involves collaboration with LASP teams as well asexternal vendors and international mission partners.
• Some travel and non-standard work hours may be required duringmajor testing activities, mission simulations, launch, and earlymission operations.

What We Can Offer

Annual Salary: $145,754.06 - $229,394.91

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical,dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's BestLarge Employers , ranking #4 among large employers in Coloradoand #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field and 9+ years of relevant spacecraft experience.
• Experience with spacecraft electrical power systems, including batteries, solar arrays, and power electronics
• Spacecraft assembly, integration, and test experience, including functional test execution and hardware troubleshooting
• Experience leading engineering tasks or small teams
• Strong written and verbal communication, including technical documentation and presentations at design and program reviews
• Team player, willing to contribute where needed to get the jobdone, yet also self-motivated with minimal supervision ontasks
• Willingness to travel and work with international partners
• Due to US Export Control restrictions, only US Citizens and Permanent Residents may apply

What You Will Need

• Strong engineering judgment and the ability to make sound technical decisions in a fast-paced spacecraft development environment.
• A hands-on, solutions-oriented approach to troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively across engineering disciplines and within international partners.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple technical activities while maintaining attention to detail and documentation.
• Ability to lead and mentor others while also working independently with minimal supervision

What We Would Like You to Have

• Mission operations experience, including console operations, flight rule development, mission simulations, or flight anomaly response
• Experience with lithium-ion battery systems and photovoltaic power generation
• Experience with high-voltage power electronics or solar-electric propulsion systems
• Experience with spacecraft command and telemetry systems, ground support equipment, and test-like-you-fly test programs
• Experience developing power system models and analysis tools in MATLAB and/or Python
• Experience working with hardware vendors and contracted development partners