Mixed Signal Electrical Engineer

Space Kinetic•El Segundo, CA

19h•$140,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

Space Kinetic is a space technology startup company building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of drone technology to space missions without relying on consumable fuel. This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space. The Mixed Signal Electrical Engineer will play a critical role in designing, building, and maturing prototypes for Space Kinetic’s core technology. You will design systems that process both analog and digital signals and bridge the gap between real-world physical inputs like pressure and temperature sensors and the processor in an embedded system. With your knowledge of analog electronics, you will design signal conditioning circuitry and with additional knowledge of discrete electronic components and integrated circuits, you will help design actuator controllers like the driver circuitry required in a motor controller and the interfaces to power electronics. You will support the team in refining the electrical architecture of the current prototype and driving the system closer to a flight-ready configuration with each iteration. Your first project will involve a custom motor controller with power levels never before implemented in 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 working closely with mechanical and manufacturing teams to bring cutting-edge space hardware to life.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a closely related STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic) 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 working 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.
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder).
Ability to maintain or obtain a Government Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience in developing embedded systems.
Experience in 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.

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 prototype maturation.
Undertake and 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 of PCB components.
Collaborate closely with the Space Kinetic manufacturing and engineering team to integrate electrical systems into mechanical assemblies.
Verify and validate your electrical designs through testing, troubleshooting, debugging, and iteration to improve system reliability and performance.
Actively 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.