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 looking to add a Senior Spacecraft Electrical Engineer I to our Internal Missions team. If you 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 spacecraft electronics and hardware through all stages of the development process for space systems. Your responsibilities will include ownership, design, and integration of various spacecraft subsystems including avionics, flight processors, data storage, intra-spacecraft digital communications and analog telemetry, power generation & storage, power distribution, grounding, EMI mitigation, and wiring & harness design for power and data interfaces between all spacecraft subsystems. The ideal candidate will be an electrical systems generalist motivated to deliver every aspect of the spacecraft electrical design from energy balance budgets to architectural and detailed hardware designs.
As a Cesium team member, you will work on a small team to develop satellites and put them in orbit. You will be responsible for electrical concepts, roadmaps, architecture trade studies, block diagrams, electrical hardware design, manufacturing, test, qualification, and in-orbit support. You will provide creative solutions to complex problems to push the boundaries of spacecraft design.
The successful candidate will also present engineering design review materials to our customers and executive team, as well as participate in proposal-writing efforts. As such, excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Direct technical implementation, and verification of satellite avionics systems.
- Creating detailed design and analysis of satellite digital and power systems.
- Define and maintain subsystem and system block diagrams, schematics, and architecture drawings.
- Conduct make/buy trades.
- Architect and design in-house solutions.
- Prepare and deliver technical communications to team leadership, customers, and vendors.
- 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 4 years of industry experience in spacecraft electrical system design, analysis, manufacturing, test, and troubleshooting. A Master’s degree may count as two years of experience.
- Strong understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals.
- Understanding of the subsystems required in a spacecraft electrical system.
- Board-level high-reliability hardware design experience for spaceflight thermal, radiation, and vibration environments (i.e. schematic, layout, build, and test).
- 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 power and energy budgets, telemetry, flight software controls, and electronics thermal management.
- Familiarity with digital communications protocols including RS422, RS485, I2C, SPI, SpaceWire, or other low-level communication standards.
- Familiarity with photovoltaic solar cells and secondary battery chemistries.
- Familiarity with FPGAs and DSP/microprocessors.
- Experience in power and/or digital PCBA design, development, delivery, and operation.
- Experience in rapid prototype development and testing.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Familiarity with embedded systems and bare-metal microprocessor programming.
- Python, C++, MATLAB, or other programming languages.
- Familiarity with control systems and PMSM/BLDC motor control algorithms.
- Familiarity with environmental testing including thermal, shock, vibration, and TVAC.
- Familiarity with EMI/EMC qualification to MIL-STD-461 and GEVS or similar standard.
- Familiarity with analog, digital and mixed-signal circuit analysis, simulation, design, test, and troubleshooting.
- Familiarity with evaluating and testing hardware for radiation effects including TID, SEE, and relevant phenomena.
- Familiarity with ADS SI/PI or similar Signal Integrity / Power Integrity analysis tools.
- Experience with multiple distinct spacecraft electrical architectures that drives your vision for the next generation of spacecraft.
- University or other CubeSat / satellite design team experience.
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 featuring health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life and retirement plans.
CesiumAstro, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
