Senior Electrical Engineer, Avionics

About the Role

Katalyst is seeking a skilled professional to own flight avionics architecture and detailed electrical design for upgrade modules, from concept through qualification, integration, launch, and on-orbit operations. This role involves designing, analyzing, and releasing spacecraft electronics, driving avionics integration, and leading testing and anomaly investigation.

Responsibilities

• Own flight avionics architecture and detailed electrical design for upgrade modules.
• Design, analyze, and release spacecraft electronics, including processor/compute boards, power conversion, sensor/actuator interfaces, and communications interfaces.
• Develop electrical schematics, component selections, interface definitions, and grounding/bonding approaches.
• Drive avionics integration across flight software, GNC, power, communications, propulsion, robotics, and payload systems.
• Plan and execute board bring-up, functional test, environmental qualification, EMI/EMC testing, and spacecraft-level integration.
• Perform and review worst-case circuit analysis, power and signal integrity analysis, and radiation-informed part selection.
• Create high-quality engineering documentation and contribute to major design reviews and flight readiness decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5-8 years of experience designing and delivering complex electrical or avionics hardware for spacecraft, aerospace, defense, robotics, or mission-critical systems.
• Demonstrated ownership of avionics or embedded electronics from architecture to qualification.
• Strong fundamentals in analog/digital circuit design, embedded processors/FPGAs, power electronics, and hardware debugging.
• Hands-on proficiency with laboratory equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, etc.).
• Strong technical communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Experience developing spacecraft avionics through flight qualification and operational deployment (preferred).
• Knowledge of radiation effects, component derating, reliability, and fault tolerance for space electronics (preferred).
• Experience with spacecraft interfaces (CAN, SpaceWire, Ethernet, etc.) and EMI/EMC design (preferred).
• Familiarity with ECAD tools, PCB layout, and manufacturing processes (preferred).
• Experience leading major design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) (preferred).

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• Compliance with ITAR regulations; authorization for access to ITAR-controlled information may be required.

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this role is $145,000 - $180,000 annually, with additional long-term incentives, including stock options and discretionary bonuses.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off.
• Relocation bonus.