Satellite Systems Engineer

We are a startup developing missions for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and are looking for a mid-level Satellite Systems Engineer with a strong design mindset and hands-on execution capability. This role is design-heavy, with end-to-end responsibility spanning system architecture, subsystem selection, integration, environmental testing, and launch preparation.

You will play a key role in shaping the spacecraft design, making pragmatic trade-offs appropriate for LEO environments, and selecting and procuring COTS subsystems and components that balance performance, reliability, cost, and schedule.

Responsibilities:

• Drive system-level spacecraft design for LEO CubeSat missions, including architecture definition, requirements flow-down, and interface management.

• Perform design trade-offs considering LEO environmental constraints such as thermal cycling, radiation exposure, and launch loads.

• Lead or contribute to the selection, evaluation, and procurement of COTS subsystems and components, including avionics, power systems, radios, payload electronics, and sensors.

• Assess vendor documentation, qualification data, heritage, and risks associated with COTS hardware; define acceptance or additional screening tests as needed.

• Prepare and maintain clear, traceable technical documentation, including system requirements, interface control documents, test plans and procedures, verification matrices, and anomaly or corrective action reports.

• Define and maintain electrical architectures, including power distribution, grounding, harnessing, and data interfaces.

• Work directly with spacecraft interfaces and protocols such as RS-422/232, UART, I2C, CSP, SPI, CAN, and similar onboard buses.

• Support and execute hands-on AIT activities, including hardware bring-up, integration, debugging, rework, and re-test.

• Plan, support, and analyze environmental testingappropriate for LEO missions, including TVAC, TID, vibration, and shock.

• Understand and apply launch environment requirements, including static and dynamic loads, acoustic environments, deployer constraints, and separation events.

• Apply EMI/EMC design principles throughout the spacecraft; investigate and mitigate interference issues discovered during integration or test.

• Generate and maintain system documentation including ICDs, test plans, verification matrices, anomaly reports, and corrective action records.

• Support launch integration activities and early mission operations as a technical contributor when required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Systems, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.

• 3–6 years of relevant experience in satellite, aerospace, or high-reliability embedded hardware systems.

• Understand basic orbital mechanics and assess how orbit characteristics impact mission operations

• Strong design experience at system or subsystem level for small satellites or equivalent complex hardware.

• Demonstrated experience selecting and working with COTS hardware, including vendor evaluation and technical due diligence.

• Solid understanding of CubeSat system hierarchy and subsystem interactions.

• Practical experience with embedded and spacecraft interfaces (RS-422/232, UART, I2C, CSP, SPI, CAN, etc.).

• Working knowledge of environmental testing for space hardware

• Strong understanding of EMI/EMC fundamentals and grounding

• Ability to troubleshoot issues using schematics, test and lab equipment, logs, and engineering judgment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in an aerospace company.

• Direct involvement in at least one LEO missionthrough integration, environmental testing, and launch preparation.

• Experience defining acceptance vs. qualification test strategies for COTS-based spacecraft.

• Working proficiency with mechanical and electrical CAD tools to review layouts, assess integration constraints, and support design trades.

• Familiarity with deployers, launch integrators, launch provider requirements, and rideshare integration processes.

• Experience with power systems, avionics boards, harness design, and grounding strategies for space applications.

• Comfortable operating with incomplete information and making pragmatic engineering decisions under startup constraints.

• Hands-on experience with spacecraft Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT), including hardware bring-up, environmental testing support, and anomaly resolution in a lab setting.

• Familiarity with IPC standards and PCB quality, including inspection, workmanship criteria, and acceptance testing relevant to high-reliability aerospace hardware.

Benefits:

• Competitive      salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance      and fuel support.
• Continued      support for candidates currently enrolled in a master's or doctoral      program.
• Opportunities      for continuous professional growth and skill development.
• Engage      in a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Enjoy      a positive and enriching work environment, situated in a desirable      location.