Senior Mixed Signals Electrical Engineer
Space Kinetic
Senior Mixed Signals Electrical Engineer
Space Kinetic
Propellant-free in-space payload deployment system
A New Paradigm For Space Operations.
Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a ‘one-to-many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.
This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space.
Position Overview:
The Senior Electrical Engineer, Power Electronics & Embedded Systems (Mixed Signal) will play a critical role in designing, building, and maturing prototypes for Space Kinetic’s core technology. You will design systems that process both analog and digital signals and bridge the gap between real-world physical inputs like pressure and temperature sensors and the processor in an embedded system. With your knowledge of analog electronics, you will design signal conditioning circuitry and with additional knowledge of discrete electronic components and integrated circuits, you will help design actuator controllers like the driver circuitry required in a motor controller and the interfaces to power electronics.
You will support the team in refining the electrical architecture of the current prototype and driving the system closer to a flight-ready configuration with each iteration. Your first project will involve a custom motor controller with power levels never before implemented in space and an electromechanical system with novel energy recycling functions. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys taking concepts from schematic to hardware, solving complex electrical challenges, and working closely with mechanical and manufacturing teams to bring cutting-edge space hardware to life.
What You’ll Do:
What We'd Love:
What We Offer:
ITAR Requirements:
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.
Pay Range 165000 - 205000 USD
Propellant-free in-space payload deployment system
Space Kinetic develops electromechanical deployment systems for satellites that release multiple small payloads and micro-satellites at high velocities to support missile defense and space superiority. Its Longbow/Whirlwind platform uses a rotary arm inside a host satellite to accelerate and eject payloads without using propellant, delivering instantaneous velocity changes. Unlike propulsion-centered approaches, it offers a reusable, fuel-free, one-to-many deployment model that reduces signatures and enables on-demand, rapid small-satellite missions, with contracts from DARPA, the US Space Force, and the NSF. The goal is to make space maneuverability more affordable and accessible by bringing drone-like in-space deployment economics to national security and commercial space activities.
Explore more opportunities at Space Kinetic