Senior Mixed Signals Electrical Engineer

About the role

Space Kinetic is 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 reliance on consumable fuel. This role is for the Senior Electrical Engineer, Power Electronics & Embedded Systems (Mixed Signal), who will design, build, and mature prototypes for our core technology. You will create systems that process analog and digital signals, bridging real-world physical inputs (e.g., pressure and temperature sensors) with embedded processors. Your work will include signal conditioning circuitry, actuator controllers, and interfaces to power electronics, refining our prototype’s electrical architecture toward a flight-ready configuration.

Your first project involves a custom motor controller with unprecedented power levels for 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 collaborating with mechanical and manufacturing teams to bring cutting-edge space hardware to life.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and build electrical prototypes for Space Kinetic’s core technology.
• Refine and finalize the current prototype's electrical design to support all phases of maturation.
• Complete circuit design tasks, generate detailed schematics, and perform component selection aligned with environmental and system requirements.
• Apply detailed tolerancing, design-for-manufacture principles, and thorough documentation across all electrical prototype phases.
• Support PCB layout design and coordinate with external vendors for fabrication and assembly.
• Collaborate with the manufacturing and engineering team to integrate electrical systems into mechanical assemblies.
• Verify and validate electrical designs through testing, troubleshooting, debugging, and iteration to improve reliability and performance.
• Participate in design reviews, contribute to system-level engineering discussions, and ensure the electrical subsystem progresses toward flight-readiness.
• Support the creation and maintenance of electrical documentation, including BOMs, wiring diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), and test procedures.
• Ensure each design iteration moves the system closer to a flight-ready prototype aligned with Space Kinetic’s 2-year flight demonstration goal.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a closely related STEM field.
• Experience developing hardware for aerospace, defense, robotics, or similarly rigorous applications.
• A minimum of 7 years of hands-on electrical engineering experience, ideally involving prototype development.
• Experience designing analog circuitry such as signal conditioning circuitry.
• Experience designing digital circuitry and output drivers such as gate drivers and motor drivers.
• Experience working with embedded systems.
• Proficiency in circuit design, schematic creation, and component selection.
• Experience with Schematic/PCB design tools (e.g., Altium).
• Demonstrated experience building and testing electrical systems or prototypes.
• Strong understanding of electronics fundamentals, wiring practices, and system integration.
• Ability to troubleshoot circuits, debug hardware, and iterate rapidly.
• Hands-on experience with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, logic analyzers).
• Experience collaborating with vendors for PCB fabrication and assembly.
• Excellent documentation, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment with evolving requirements.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, or U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder) to conform to U.S. Government export regulations.
• Ability to maintain or obtain a Government Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 9 years of hands-on electrical engineering experience.
• Experience developing embedded systems.
• Experience developing power electronics.
• Experience with the C programming language.
• Knowledge of field-oriented controls, microcontrollers, sensors, and power electronics.
• Experience with environmental or functional testing of electrical systems.

Location

This position is on-site at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary + equity-based compensation.
• Highly competitive PTO and holiday calendar.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Unique performance-based bonus structure.

Pay

Annual base salary range: $165,000 USD - $205,000 USD. Pay is determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay may vary based on job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities, and internal equity.