The Role
You will be responsible for designing power electronics for the highest-power Hall thrusters ever deployed in space. You will be able to develop a broad range of power electronics devices, including high-voltage power conversion components and power distribution architectures, capable of operating in the harshest space environments. You will prototype high power devices and execute environmental and performance testing to refine your designs. Following this, you will qualify your hardware for flight and begin designing even more capable devices for future generations of spacecraft. In your first two years you will have flown your power devices in space and developed novel designs across all power domains.
This role can be adapted to an individual contributor or leadership role based on the candidate’s goals and qualifications.
Responsibilities
Develop power electronics for a novel 20kW Hall thruster, including high voltage power conversion and power distribution devices
Design of accurate telemetry and analog circuits for propulsion power electronics
Serve as Responsible Engineer for flight hardware from conception through flight
Qualify your designs through environmental testing including vibration, shock, thermal, and thermal vacuum testing
Conduct radiation testing and ensure circuit designs survive worst case environments
System level testing design and execution with the thruster and beyond
Ensure data acquisitions systems capture all relevant telemetry for tests
Work with software team to develop firmware
Help to grow and manage the propulsion power processing unit (PPU) team
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience
5+ years of professional experience in the design, development, test, and evaluation of power electronics (research and extracurricular academic projects qualify)
Expertise in PCB schematic capture and board layout, ideally using Altium
Experience with testing and debugging your own circuitry
Experience with general lab equipment for board bring-up (oscilloscopes, power supplies, etc.)
Nice to Have
Experience with flying hardware in space
Experience with high voltage (>100V), high power (>10kW) DC-DC power conversion systems, including voltage/current mode control and compensation design
Proficient with circuit simulation tools such as LTspice
Experience with environmental testing for space electronics such as thermal testing, vibration testing, TVAC testing, shock testing, radiation testing, and EMI/EMC testing
Experience with power stage component selection for use in radiation environments
Knowledge of filter design for stability, noise rejection, and surviving threat signals
Experience programming in C/C++, Python, or Matlab
Compensation and Benefits:
Base salary range for this role is $125,000 - $200,000 + equity in the company
Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
Comprehensive benefits package including unlimited paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks
If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged! If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
Export Compliance
As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a “U.S. Person.”
The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.
Equal Opportunity
K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.