Spacecraft PCB Design Engineer

Blue Signal Search; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Spacecraft PCB Design Engineer plays a key role in developing flight electronics for aerospace programs. You will own PCB design from schematic through layout, bring-up, and verification, and work hands-on with bench testing and integration.

Collaborating across disciplines, you will create test setups, document results, and ensure EMI/EMC, grounding and cleanroom practices for reliable spacecraft hardware. A BS or higher in EE and 5+ years in aerospace hardware are expected.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of core electrical engineering experience in aerospace.
• Hands-on experience assembling, integrating, and testing spacecraft hardware.
• Proficient PCB design using Altium, KiCad or Eagle.
• Familiar with ESD controls and cleanroom practices.
• Willing to obtain DoD Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own PCB design activities from schematic through layout, bring-up, and verification for flight hardware.
• Build avionics test solutions and representative electrical setups for validation.
• Create procedures for electrical integration, initial power-on, and hardware testing.
• Design, assemble, and operate ground support equipment used during development and verification.
• Collaborate across disciplines to connect onboard computing, power electronics, and vehicle interfaces.
• Investigate hardware faults at the bench using scopes and logic analyzers.
• Maintain engineering records covering design decisions, test evidence, and anomalies.
• Apply ESD controls, cleanroom practices, grounding, shielding, and configuration management.
• Contribute to EMI/EMC work and integration of electronics into spacecraft.

Skills

Aerospace experience

PCB design

Hands-on testing

Electrical debugging

Team collaboration

Grounding/EMI

Education

Bachelor's or advanced degree in EE/Aerospace

Tools

Altium

KiCad

Eagle

Job description

Our client is an innovative aerospace organization developing advanced spacecraft hardware for demanding missions where reliability, speed, and technical rigor matter. They are seeking a Spacecraft PCB Design Engineer who thrives at the intersection of circuit design, hands‑on hardware development, and spacecraft integration. This is an opportunity to take meaningful ownership of flight electronics, work directly with hardware at the bench, and help move spacecraft electrical systems from design through assembly, verification, and vehicle-level integration.

This Role Offers:

• Direct involvement with spacecraft electronics from initial design through hardware integration and test.
• Exposure to complex avionics, onboard computing, power, and spacecraft-level electrical systems.
• Close collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams working on technically challenging aerospace programs.
• Competitive benefits designed to support employee health, financial well-being, and work-life balance.

Focus:

• Own PCB design activities from schematic development through layout support, integration, bring‑up, and functional verification for flight hardware.
• Build and refine avionics test solutions, including representative electrical setups that make spacecraft electronics easier to validate and troubleshoot.
• Create practical procedures for electrical integration, initial power‑on, board checkout, and repeatable hardware testing.
• Design, assemble, and operate electrical ground support equipment used during spacecraft development and verification.
• Work across engineering disciplines to connect onboard computing, power electronics, and other vehicle-level electrical interfaces.
• Investigate hardware faults at the bench using scopes, logic analyzers, soldering equipment, and component‑level rework techniques.
• Maintain disciplined engineering records covering design decisions, test evidence, anomalies, and hardware performance.
• Apply strong practices for ESD control, cleanroom work, grounding, shielding, and configuration management when handling flight and test hardware.
• Contribute to electromagnetic compatibility work, cable and harness development, and the integration of custom electronics into complete spacecraft.
• Help teammates strengthen electrical integration and test execution by sharing hands‑on knowledge of grounding, flight configurations, and laboratory practices.

Skill Set:

• 5 or more years of core electrical engineering experience within aerospace, including substantial hands‑on experience assembling, integrating, and testing spacecraft hardware.
• Bachelor's or advanced degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Strong PCB design capabilities using Altium, KiCad, Eagle, or comparable electronic design automation tools.
• Demonstrated board‑level debugging expertise using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, soldering equipment, and manual rework tools.
• Experience developing electronics or electrical assemblies intended for spacecraft or similarly demanding high‑reliability environments.
• Working knowledge of ESD controls and cleanroom hardware practices.
• Familiarity with aerospace environmental verification, high‑reliability board assembly practices, EMI and EMC considerations, grounding, or shielding is valuable.
• Experience with electrical harnesses, ground support equipment, or spacecraft‑level electronics integration is a plus.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to move between design work and hands‑on laboratory problem solving.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a fast‑moving, multidisciplinary engineering environment.
• Must be willing and eligible to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense Top Secret security clearance.