Principal Electrical Engineer I - Phased Array Unit Lead

About the role

An innovative aerospace company is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer – Phased Array Unit Lead to lead the technical development of advanced Ka-band Active Electronically Steered Array (AESA) technology. This role involves owning the technical direction and execution of payloads from concept through flight qualification, working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, and delivering next-generation communications hardware for future satellite missions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical development of advanced AESA payloads throughout the entire product lifecycle.
• Own system architecture, design, integration, environmental testing, qualification, and flight readiness.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across RF, digital, power, mechanical, thermal, software, and systems engineering.
• Drive technical execution while maintaining responsibility for project schedules and key milestones.
• Develop payload control architectures, internal interfaces, firmware integration, and command & telemetry strategies.
• Lead environmental qualification activities including thermal vacuum (TVAC), vibration, shock, EMC, and acceptance testing.
• Ensure products transition successfully into production with a strong focus on manufacturability and testability.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation including requirements, ICDs, verification plans, risk registers, and design review packages.
• Partner with manufacturing, mission assurance, systems engineering, suppliers, and customers to deliver successful programs.
• Lead technical trade studies, risk mitigation, root cause investigations, and anomaly resolution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 9+ years of experience developing complex electronic hardware.
• Strong experience with active phased array antennas (AESA).
• Expertise in board-level RF electronics and antenna design.
• Experience with power electronics and digital support circuitry.
• Hands-on experience testing active antenna systems, including EIRP and G/T measurements.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering, verification & validation, requirements management, and configuration control.
• Excellent communication and technical leadership skills.

Preferred Experience

• Flyable qualification and environmental testing (TVAC, vibration, shock, EMC).
• Hardware/software product development leadership.
• Radiation-tolerant electronic design.
• High-frequency antenna development, particularly Ka-band.
• Experience as a Responsible Engineer, Technical Lead, IPT Lead, or Chief Engineer.
• Experience supporting production readiness and manufacturing.
• NewSpace or commercial space industry experience.
• Passion for mentoring engineers and leading technical teams in a fast-paced environment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Equity/stock options.
• Annual bonus opportunity.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• HSA & FSA options.
• Life and disability insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Generous paid time off.

Eligibility

Due to U.S. export control regulations, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), Conditional Resident, Asylee, Refugee, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required U.S. Government authorizations.