Senior Motor and Power Controls Engineer

Space Kinetic•El Segundo, CA

2h•$160,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

Space Kinetic is a dual-use space technology startup developing a new architecture for space operations that applies distributed, flexible approaches to space missions while reducing reliance on consumable fuel. The company aims to enable satellites to deploy numerous payloads at high velocities without firing a thrusters. The role involves owning the design, development, integration, and testing of power electronics and electrical power systems for the company’s payload and spacecraft. The engineer will lead development of power conversion, distribution, and control electronics for demanding electromechanical systems and other flight-critical hardware. Working across electrical, mechanical, controls, software, and systems engineering, the role translates system requirements into robust electrical architectures and flight-ready hardware, taking power electronics from concept through qualification and flight. The position is onsite at Space Kinetic’s headquarters in El Segundo, California. Domestic travel may be required approximately 25% to 40% of the year. The company notes that this is not a traditional 40-hour-work-week role and calls for urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment. The annual base salary range is $160,000–$200,000 USD. Applicants must meet U.S. export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field.
At least 7 years of experience in embedded systems, motor controls, or power controls.
Strong embedded firmware development skills in C/C++.
Experience with BLDC/PMSM motor control, commutation, and closed-loop control.
Experience with microcontrollers, PWM, ADCs, and real-time embedded systems.
Experience integrating firmware with motor drives and power electronics.
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
Experience with Field-Oriented Control (FOC) and motor-control optimization.
Experience with isolated DC/DC converters, battery charging, and high-voltage power systems.
Familiarity with CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, and embedded communication protocols.
Experience with RTOS, FPGA-based controls, or hardware-in-the-loop testing.
Experience developing controls for aerospace, spacecraft, robotics, or other high-performance electromechanical systems.

Responsibilities

Lead the architecture and design of power electronics for spacecraft and electromechanical systems.
Design high-power switching electronics, DC/DC converters, motor drives, and power distribution systems.
Develop power architectures incorporating energy storage, battery management, protection, and distribution.
Perform electrical, thermal, efficiency, transient-response, and component-derating analyses.
Select and qualify power semiconductors, gate drivers, magnetics, and other critical components.
Develop schematics, PCB layouts, electrical interfaces, and hardware specifications.
Lead hardware bring-up, debugging, characterization, and qualification testing.
Collaborate with controls and embedded systems engineers on power-electronics interfaces and control strategies.
Support vehicle integration, environmental testing, and flight-hardware development.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship while remaining hands-on with design and development.