Staff Electrical Engineer – Satellite C&DH Subsystem - $10K Sign On Bonus

CesiumAstro, Inc.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Stock options

Benefits package

Job summary

CesiumAstro is seeking a Staff Electrical Engineer to lead the C&DH subsystem for its Element Satellite team in a hands-on, startup-like environment. You will own subsystem design, verification, and delivery for high-volume satellite programs, collaborating with satellite architects and cross-functional teams.

You will drive make/buy trades, support on-orbit operations, and communicate complex technical concepts to leadership while ensuring reliability and performance of spacecraft electrical

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical or Computer Engineering from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 8 years of industry experience in spacecraft electrical system design, analysis, manufacturing, test, and troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of electronics and electrical engineering fundamentals.
• Understanding of spacecraft electrical subsystems including processors, digital I/O, timing signals, power rails, and grounding.
• Experience with rapid prototype, iteration, and flight delivery cycles.
• Proficiency in electrical system design and analysis, including ICD definition, requirement derivation, digital I/O standards, power interfaces, connectors, and cabling.
• Hands-on experience with lab instruments to debug, test, and validate high-reliability electronics.
• Experience with satellite electrical system concepts such as data and memory budgets, telemetry, flight software controls, and electronics thermal management.
• Understanding of space electronics supply chain, production issues, test processes, and flight operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct technical definition, implementation, and verification of satellite avionics systems.
• Define and maintain C&DH subsystem architecture and interfaces.
• Conduct make/buy trades.
• Represent C&DH by interfacing with satellite systems, mechanical, software, and AI&T teams.
• Collaborate on in-house solutions to advance satellite performance and manufacturability at scale.
• Make effective decisions given limited input and analysis while driving the team to produce and iterate hardware.
• Design and execute box-level and subsystem-level test plans for design verification, qualification, and acceptance testing.
• Prepare and deliver technical communications to company leadership and executives.
• Deliver reliable, performant space avionics system for spaceflight missions.

Skills

C++

Python

MATLAB

Communication skills

Education

BS in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Electronic loads

Signal generators

Job description

Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands‑on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward‑thinking individuals to join our team.

We are offering a $10,000 Sign On Bonus for this position.

We are looking to add a Staff Electrical Engineer to lead Command and Data Handling (C&DH) subsystem development for our Element Satellite team. If you are great at what you do, enjoy working in a startup environment, and are passionate about developing electrical systems for leading‑edge communications satellites, we would like to hear from you.

In this position, you will be responsible for designing and delivering the C&DH subsystem for high-volume, cutting‑edge communication satellites. You will own the C&DH subsystem block diagram (in alignment with electrical architects), subsystem-level analysis, make‑buy trades, trade studies for “buy” items, technical vendor interactions, subsystem Design Verification Testing (DVT), hardware delivery, and on‑orbit support.

As a Satellite team member, you will work on a small team to develop satellites and put them in orbit. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with satellite architects and our internal component development team to create a long‑term roadmap. You will be a key point of contact for satellite software, mechanical, and AI&T teams. You will provide creative solutions to complex problems to push the boundaries of spacecraft design.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct technical definition, implementation, and verification of satellite avionics systems.
• Define and maintain C&DH subsystem architecture and interfaces.
• Conduct make/buy trades.
• Represent C&DH by interfacing with the satellite systems, mechanical, software, and AI&T teams.
• Collaborate on in‑house solutions to advance satellite performance and manufacturability at scale.
• Make effective decisions given limited input and analysis while driving the team to produce and iterate hardware.
• Design and execute box-level and subsystem-level test plans for design verification testing, qualification testing, and/or acceptance testing.
• Prepare and deliver technical communications to company leadership and executives.
• Deliver reliable, performant space avionics system for spaceflight missions.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 8 years of industry experience inspacecraftelectrical system design, analysis, manufacturing, test, and troubleshooting. A Master's degree may count as two years of experience.
• Strong understanding of electronics and electrical engineering fundamentals.
• Understanding of the subsystems required in a spacecraft electrical system including processors, digital I/O, timing signals, power rails, and grounding.
• Experience with successful rapid prototype, iteration, and flight delivery cycles.
• Proficiency in electrical system design and analysis, including electrical ICD definition, requirement derivation, digital I/O standards, power interfaces, connectors, and cabling.
• Hands‑on experience with lab instruments such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, electronic loads, and signal generators to debug, test, and validate high‑reliability electronics.
• Experience with satellite electrical system concepts such as data and memory budgets, telemetry, flight software controls, and electronics thermal management.
• Understanding of space electronics supply chain, production issues, test processes, and flight operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience with multiple distinct spacecraft electrical architectures that drives your vision for the next generation of spacecraft.
• Python, C++, MATLAB, or other programming languages.
• Experience evaluating and testing hardware for effects due to TID, SEE, EMI, and relevant phenomena.
• Familiarity with environmental testing including thermal, shock, vibration, and TVAC.

$165,000 - $199,000 a year

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.

CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard torace, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.