Power Systems Engineer

About the role

Fortastra is seeking a Power Systems Engineer to lead the development, analysis, integration, and performance of spacecraft electrical power systems in support of rapidly developing autonomous spacecraft. This role is responsible for ensuring spacecraft power generation, storage, distribution, and consumption are properly designed, integrated, and managed throughout the mission lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Own spacecraft power budgets across all mission phases, including nominal, contingency, and degraded operations
• Develop and maintain spacecraft electrical power system architectures and requirements
• Solar array sizing, battery sizing, energy balance analysis, and state-of-charge modeling
• Define and manage interfaces between power systems and spacecraft subsystems including avionics, propulsion, payloads, communications, and flight computers
• Support spacecraft design trades involving power, mass, thermal, and operational constraints
• Develop mission power profiles and assess system performance throughout all phases of flight
• Support spacecraft integration, environmental testing, and spacecraft verification activities
• Investigate and resolve power system anomalies during test and flight operations
• Collaborate closely with suppliers and hardware vendors supporting power subsystem development

Qualifications & Skills

• BS. or higher in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related technical field
• 5+ years of spacecraft electrical power system experience
• Demonstrated experience developing spacecraft power budgets and energy analyses
• Experience with spacecraft batteries, solar arrays, power management electronics, and power distribution architectures
• Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystem interactions and mission-level performance impacts
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, Excel, STK, or equivalent engineering analysis tools
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, high-accountability engineering environments
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Experience with small satellites, national security space, or defense space programs preferred

Requirements

• On-site role (no remote or hybrid arrangements)
• U.S. Citizenship required
• Ability to obtain or hold an active TS/SCI clearance desired