Staff Electrical Engineer

Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom; Los Osos (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life, and supplemental benefits

401(k) with company match

4 weeks of PTO per year

12 company holidays annually

Job summary

A leading technology company in California is seeking a Staff Electrical Engineer to lead the development and integration of electrical architectures for unmanned systems. This senior-level role requires strong experience in aerospace engineering and circuit design, alongside the ability to mentor junior engineers. Competitive compensation and generous benefits include 401(k) matching and PTO.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of electrical engineering experience, including 5+ years in aerospace or safety-critical systems.
• Proficiency in Altium and modern ECAD tools.
• Experience leading electrical development on unmanned or autonomous systems highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical hardware design for advanced unmanned flight platforms.
• Manage electrical engineering projects, driving schedules and deliverables.
• Integrate electrical systems with mechanical and software teams.

Skills

Analog/Digital Circuit Design

Power Systems

CAN Communication

Hardware Debugging

Leadership Skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Altium

Job description

Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom provided pay range

This range is provided by Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$170,000.00/yr - $220,000.00/yr

Kelly® Engineering is seeking a Staff Electrical Engineer for a direct‑hire opportunity with a cutting‑edge aerospace and autonomous systems client in San Luis Obispo, CA. If you’re driven to build what hasn’t been built yet and eager to influence next‑generation technologies, the experts at hiring experts want to hear from you.

Compensation

$170,000 - $220,000

Overview

Our client is a technology developer specializing in autonomous aerial platforms and advanced unmanned flight systems. Their engineering teams create high‑performance solutions used in mission‑critical environments, with a strong focus on innovation, precision, and rapid iteration.

This senior‑level role leads the development, optimization, and integration of complex electrical architectures for next‑generation unmanned systems. The Staff Electrical Engineer serves as a technical authority—guiding circuit design, directing cross‑functional engineering efforts, and ensuring robust, production‑ready electrical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical hardware design for advanced unmanned flight platforms, including architecture definition, system‑level integration, and component selection.
• Manage electrical engineering projects, driving schedules, deliverables, and cross‑functional alignment.
• Develop and refine complex circuits, including microcontroller‑based systems, power electronics, board‑level designs, and embedded interfaces.
• Direct harness design and production, ensuring accuracy, manufacturability, and documentation using Altium.
• Integrate electrical systems with mechanical, software, and flight‑test teams to ensure seamless platform performance.
• Solve high‑level hardware issues, guiding root‑cause analysis and supporting closure of non‑conformance items.
• Support flight testing, including pre‑flight electrical readiness, troubleshooting, and data‑driven performance improvements.
• Mentor junior engineers, fostering strong technical development and collaborative problem‑solving.
• Maintain compliance and documentation, ensuring all work adheres to industry standards and internal quality expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of electrical engineering experience, including 5+ years in aerospace, UAS, or other safety‑critical/high‑reliability systems.
• Deep expertise in analog/digital circuit design, power systems, CAN communication, and hardware debugging.
• Proficiency in Altium and modern ECAD tools.
• Skilled in advanced electrical testing, validation, and verification processes.
• Experience with board‑level and component‑level design, as well as complex harness architectures.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve non‑conformance and configuration issues.
• Strong leadership skills with experience running technical projects and managing deliverables.
• Exceptional communication and ability to collaborate across disciplines.
• Background in avionics, high‑reliability production environments, or automotive/safety‑critical hardware highly desired.
• Experience leading electrical development on unmanned or autonomous systems highly desired.
• Due to program requirements and associated security regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Company Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and supplemental benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• 4 weeks of PTO per year
• 12 company holidays annually

What happens next

Once you apply, our team will review your background to determine whether your experience aligns with the role. And even if this position isn’t the perfect match, you’ll remain part of the Kelly Engineering network—giving you access to future opportunities that fit your expertise.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom by 2x