Lead Electrical Engineer

Orbit Fab's mission is to create the foundational infrastructure that will fuel a bustling in-space economy, capable of sustaining permanent jobs in space. Today, satellites cannot be refueled, which severely constrains their mobility and inhibits the development of economic activities in space. 

Orbit Fab breaks the single-use paradigm, pioneering our Gas Stations in Space™ refueling infrastructure and RAFTI™ technology to deliver propellant in space, enabling lower-cost satellite construction, increased maneuverability, precise control, and extended lifespans. The possibilities are unprecedented, opening the doors to unimagined operational strategies and business models. 

Since our establishment in 2018, we have already achieved the successful launch of three tankers to space. With offices in both the US and UK, we are working in close collaboration with partners and customers across the space industry. Orbit Fab is rapidly ramping up capabilities and requires exceptional talent to tackle important challenges. Our roles offer wide ranging opportunities to have a demonstrable impact and enable a bustling space economy.

ROLE 

You would be responsible for leading a multi-disciplinary team of electrical and software engineers to support a variety of upcoming Orbit Fab missions. Your technical duties will involve architecting and designing complex spacecraft electrical systems. A major emphasis will be on designing high reliability electronics specifically for operation in space environments. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Design, test and fly electrical and avionics systems across Orbit Fab's missions while monitoring and adhering to efficient program budgets, schedules, and resource plans. 

• Hiring, staffing, and personnel management of the Electrical Engineering team. 

• Provide technical mentorship to team members, monitor the technical integrity of all team member contributions, and lead technical reviews. 

• Participate in the development of systems engineering products, engineering processes, trade studies, requirements development, verification, and validation plans. 

• Identify technical issues and proactively implement resolutions to mitigate schedule and cost impacts. 

• Contribute technical knowledge around electrical engineering/avionics to support the development of company proposals. 

 QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, physics, mathematics, or other related discipline. 

• 7+ years of experience in spacecraft electronics design, development, and/or testing across multiple flight projects/programs.  

• Ability and desire to mentor and advise junior team members in a collaborative environment. 

• Experience taking multiple products or multiple iterations of a single product from concept phase through prototyping, launch, and operation. 

• Demonstrated leadership of space systems electrical engineering teams. This includes championing projects or group tasks; managing or organizing a project, team or task; or communicating (internally or externally) the vision/direction/goals of the project and team. 

• Breadth of experience as an electrical engineer as well as significant experience as a technical authority in one or multiple technical areas within or across EE disciplines including: 

• Power Electronics, FPGAs and Digital Systems, and Control Systems. 

• Circuit/board design, board bring up, and rapid prototyping for test. 

• Electrical Systems Engineering. 

• Parts Radiation and EEE Parts Analysis, including stress and derating. 

• EMI/EMC or Signal Integrity. 

• Spacecraft electrical components selection and planning. 

• Expertise with key design, detailed analysis, and engineering management tools, including:  

• Altium and LTSpice for circuit design and analysis.  

• JIRA or JIRA-like tools (Asana) for project management.  

• JAMA or Valispace for requirements tracking. 

• You share our appreciation for a diversity of thoughts, backgrounds and experiences, helping us all learn from each other and make smarter decisions. 

• Expertise working in a diverse, multidisciplinary team environment that includes business communication and diverse engineering disciplines.   

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.   

• Must be willing and able to work a hybrid schedule (3-5 days a week on site) out of our Lafayette, CO office 

• Ability to travel (5% to 10% time expected), including international travel as needed.  

WE'LL BE EXCITED IF YOU HAVE: 

• 10+ years of experience in satellite design, development, test, and operations. 

• A Masters, Ph.D., or other advanced degree in engineering, physics, math, or related discipline. 

• Familiarity with the spacecraft component supply chain and contacts or relationships with vendors across the supply chain. 

• Experience with both low and high budget space system development. 

• Design experience and mission heritage in GEO or deep space missions and a technical authority in design methodology, ramifications, and design selection process for GEO and/or deep space avionics hardware design. 

• Experience with spacecraft and subsystem environment definition (radiation, thermal, EMI/EMC, etc.) and design approaches (at LEO, GEO, and Deep Space). 

• Experience with Spacecraft propulsion systems and pressure systems. 

• Experience with Level 2 Spacecraft Design/EEE-INST-002 or similar standards for spacecraft design  

• Experience with spacecraft and spacecraft subsystem fabrication, assembly, and test; understanding of qualification, acceptance, and proto-flight verification approaches.  

• Experience with Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking (RPOD) software and hardware development. 

The estimated salary range for this position is $150,000-175,000 

This position is a hybrid work model, requiring time both in our Lafayette, CO office and remotely.

Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalized people tend to only apply when they meet 100% of the qualifications. At Orbit Fab, we value respectful debate and people who aren’t afraid to challenge assumptions. We strongly encourage you to apply if you feel you would succeed in the role above.

Location and Benefits

Orbit Fab is based out of Lafayette, Colorado and all roles are based in Colorado. We offer fully covered benefits, discretionary time off, and flexible work hours.

Eligibility

Some job roles may be limited to US Persons (22 CFR 120.62 “U.S. person”).

Orbit Fab Inc does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

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