Principle Electronic Design Engineer

NewSpace Systems; KwaNojoli; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Join seeks a Principal Electronic Design Engineer to provide technical leadership across the lifecycle of high-reliability electronic products for spacecraft and related systems. You will guide architectures, specifications, testing, production and support, mentoring engineers and driving sound design decisions with a strong focus on performance, reliability and industry standards.

You will lead complex design challenges, engage with customers, and collaborate with sub-contractors to ensure

Qualifications

• BSc/BEng degree in Electronic Engineering from a recognized institution.
• 15+ years of high-reliability electronic product design experience.
• Experience in analogue and digital circuit design and simulation.
• Strong experience with testing, debugging and troubleshooting of electronic circuits.
• Knowledge of SI/PI, reliability and complex circuit analysis.
• Experience with schematic creation and PCB layout, preferably using Altium Designer.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership and mentoring.
• Experience making technical trade-offs and taking accountability for complex engineering decisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and act as a technical authority for complex electronic design activities.
• Lead development of electronic products and associated design documentation, test procedures and calibration systems.
• Define and guide electronic architectures, design approaches and technical solutions based on customer and product requirements.
• Derive technical specifications and component requirements from system and sub-system requirements.
• Lead technical trade-offs and make sound, evidence-based design decisions considering performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost and schedule.
• Research, develop and evaluate theoretical and conceptual designs for new products and technologies.
• Simulate and test designs at appropriate levels, ensuring adequate design margins and reliable performance within specified operating environments.
• Review and challenge electronic designs, analyses and technical documentation to ensure a high standard of engineering quality.
• Identify and manage technical risks throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Support the resolution of complex technical issues during development, qualification, production and product support.
• Engage with customers and participate in requirements, technical and proposal discussions when required.
• Interact with sub-contractors and support the resolution of technical and manufacturing issues.
• Support the development of production documentation and processes required for successful product realisation.

Skills

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Problem solving

Analog electronics

Digital electronics

Embedded systems

PCB design

Troubleshooting

Technical writing

Education

BSc/BEng in Electronic Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Schematic capture

PCB layout

MS Project

Job description

KEY PURPOSE OF JOB

The Principal Electronic Design Engineer is responsible for providing technical leadership in the design, development and realisation of high-reliability electronic products for spacecraft and related systems. The role provides technical leadership across the product lifecycle, from concept, requirements and architecture through to design, testing, production and product support. The principal engineer is expected to lead complex challenges, make and guide key design decisions, ensure designs meet the required performance, reliability and industry standards, and develop the technical capability of the wider engineering team.

KEY TASKS

Technical Leadership & Product Development

• Provide technical leadership and act as a technical authority for complex electronic design activities.
• Lead the development of electronic products and associated design documentation, test procedures and calibration systems.
• Define and guide electronic architectures, design approaches and technical solutions based on customer and product requirements.
• Derive technical specifications and component requirements from system and sub-system requirements.
• Lead technical trade-offs and make sound, evidence-based design decisions considering performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost and schedule.
• Research, develop and evaluate theoretical and conceptual designs for new products and technologies.
• Simulate and test designs at appropriate levels, ensuring adequate design margins and reliable performance within specified operating environments.
• Review and challenge electronic designs, analyses and technical documentation to ensure a high standard of engineering quality.
• Identify and manage technical risks throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Support the resolution of complex technical issues during development, qualification, production and product support.
• Engage with customers and participate in requirements, technical and proposal discussions when required.
• Interact with sub-contractors and support the resolution of technical and manufacturing issues.
• Support the development of production documentation and processes required for successful product realisation.

Technical Capability & Engineering Leadership

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers across the organisation.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, practices and design methodologies.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to the development of future technical leaders.
• Provide technical input into product roadmaps, technology development and future product opportunities.
• Promote sound engineering practices, design quality and continuous improvement across the engineering team.

Electronic Design

• Design and develop analogue and digital electronic circuits for high-reliability applications.
• Design and review schematics and PCB layouts, preferably using Altium Designer.
• Perform and/or guide circuit simulation, signal integrity, power integrity, reliability and complex circuit analysis.
• Select and evaluate electronic components, including the use of traceable and appropriately qualified components.
• Develop and/or provide technical oversight of embedded firmware and FPGA-based applications where required.
• Test, debug and troubleshoot electronic hardware and associated firmware, implementing corrective actions as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Qualification:

• BSc/BEng degree in Electronic Engineering from a recognized institution.

Experience (ideally within aerospace, space or defence industry):

• Extensive experience in high-reliability electronic product design and development, typically 15+ years.
• Demonstrated experience taking complex electronic designs through development and into production and field use.
• Extensive experience in analogue and digital electronic circuit design and simulation.
• Strong practical experience in the testing, debugging and troubleshooting of electronic circuits.
• Strong understanding of SI/PI, reliability and complex circuit analysis.
• Experience with schematic creation and PCB layout, preferably using Altium Designer.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership and mentoring within an engineering environment.
• Experience making technical trade-offs and taking accountability for complex engineering decisions.

Additional knowledge areas that would strengthen the application:

• Master’s Degree
• Embedded software development (Assembler, C, C++)
• Application software development (Python, C, C++, C#)
• FPGA development (VHDL preferred)
• Familiarity with microcontroller architectures (PIC, ARM, AVR, etc.)
• Familiarity with CAD software and design principles
• Project Management (MS Project or other)
• Familiarity/experience designing, developing, and supporting satellite actuator and/or sensor subsystems (reaction wheel, sun sensor, magnetometer, etc.
• Experience working with Optical/Optomechanical systems and/or Electromagnetic design and analysis
• Familiarity with space and military standards, such as ECSS
• Space Engineering background

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

• Strong technical leadership and mentoring skills.
• Advanced problem-solving and analytical ability.
• Strong analogue and digital electronics knowledge.
• Ability to make and defend sound technical decisions in complex situations.
• High attention to detail and commitment to design quality.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work across multiple products, projects and engineering disciplines.
• Strong understanding of embedded systems and PCB design.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges.
• Collaborative, innovative and solutions-focused approach.
• Ability to influence and develop the technical capability of others.

LANGUAGE

• English