Electrical Engineer II

About the role

We are extending the internet to space. Ephemeris Net is a pre-seed space networking company on a mission to provide space connectivity for all through collaborative engineering of commercial space networking solutions. We are creating the infrastructure that will enable the space internet beyond bent pipe—starting with foundational networking infrastructure that will define how data moves through space.

Key responsibilities

• High-Speed Digital Design (Network Box)
• Design high-speed digital systems with interfaces up to 9.6 Tbps for space-based routing
• Implement optical interface protocols in space-qualified hardware
• Ensure signal integrity and EMI/EMC compliance for high-speed differential signaling
• Design power delivery systems for high-performance networking processors and FPGAs
• Design storage subsystem electronics for a ~200 TB space-based data cache, including high-speed memory interfaces and storage controller integration
• Optical Transceivers
• Design and develop semi-custom optical transceiver modules for space networking applications
• Work with optics and photonics vendors to integrate custom requirements into transceiver form factors
• Characterize and qualify transceiver performance for space environments
• Optical Terminal Electronics
• Design motor control systems for precision pointing and tracking of optical terminals
• Develop photodiode transimpedance amplifiers for closed loop terminal pointing control
• Design laser driver circuits for closed loop terminal pointing control
• Implement closed-loop control systems for beam steering and acquisition
• Optimize analog front-end performance for low noise and high bandwidth
• Space Hardware Development
• Select commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components appropriate for space environments
• Collaborate with mechanical team on thermal management solutions for high-power digital electronics in vacuum
• Support qualification test team in developing test procedures and qualification campaigns
• Work with fabrication partners to manufacture and assemble flight hardware
• Support hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing and integration activities
• System Integration
• Define electrical interfaces between network box, optical terminals, and spacecraft bus
• Design electrical harnessing and cable routing for dynamic motion environments
• Collaborate with firmware team to ensure hardware-software integration
• Support mission engineer in spacecraft-level integration and testing
• Debug and troubleshoot hardware issues during build, integration, and test phases

What we're looking for

• Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of electronics design experience either with mixed focus on high-speed digital or analog circuits or deep focus in one area
• Experience with PCB design tools (Altium, Cadence, or similar)
• Track record delivering hardware
• Understanding of signal integrity principles for high-speed digital design
• Experience with laboratory test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance
• Experience designing space-qualified or radiation-tolerant electronics
• Familiarity with Xilinx Versal FPGA line
• Verilog or VHDL experience for FPGA development
• Background in optical communication systems or laser electronics
• Experience with fiber optics and optical interconnects
• Experience with electrical harnessing and cable design for dynamic motion environments
• Experience with high-speed serial interfaces (100G+ Ethernet, PCIe Gen4/5)
• Knowledge of motor control systems and closed-loop feedback
• Understanding of photodiode circuits and transimpedance amplifier design
• Thermal analysis and simulation experience (ANSYS, Thermal Desktop)
• Familiarity with radiation effects on electronics (SEU, TID)
• Experience with space qualification standards (MIL-STD-883)

What we offer

• Compensation & Benefits
• Salary dependent on experience (please note that all postings for this role route through the same review process; applying to multiple levels will result in duplicate applications)
• Engineer II: $150,000 - $190,000
• Senior Engineer: $170,000 - $210,000
• Staff Engineer: $180,000 - $230,000
• Generous equity package (early hire equity)
• Comprehensive health care coverage
• Unlimited PTO (we expect you to take at least 4 weeks per year, and leadership does the same)

Work Environment

• Hybrid work model: 3 days per week in our office/lab based on project needs
• During critical phases: When we are in integration, test, or launch prep mode, expect to be in the office more frequently for coordination with the mission team
• Expected travel: about 10% (customer meetings, supplier visits, launch campaign, partner sites, integration sites, other Ephemeris offices)
• Small team environment with autonomy and space to define how we work and execute

The Opportunity

• Join early-stage hardware team: Contribute to shaping the hardware design philosophy, component selection strategy, and engineering culture at Ephemeris Net.
• Multiple challenging domains: Work on both cutting-edge high-speed digital systems and precision analog/opto-electronics— not many roles offer this breadth.
• Real impact: Your electronics will fly in space and route real traffic. You'll see your designs become infrastructure.
• Create the space internet: Create hardware that will be the foundation of how space networks at all layers of the OSI model.
• Influence the hardware roadmap: Work with the electrical engineering team to define what space networking hardware should be.

About our locations

• El Segundo, CA: Located in the heart of the aerospace industry, surrounded by SpaceX, Aerospace Corporation, Northrop Grumman, and hundreds of space startups. A unique ecosystem where strangers on the street are excited about space.
• Oakland, CA: Right off BART. Close collaboration opportunities with UC Berkeley and the broader Bay Area networking and space research communities.

Ephemeris Net is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.