Senior Power Electronics Engineer

Space Kinetic•El Segundo, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Space Kinetic is a dual-use space technology startup developing a new architecture for space operations. Its approach aims to bring the advantages of proliferated drone technology to space missions while reducing reliance on consumable fuel. The company seeks to move beyond one-to-one satellite architectures toward systems in which each satellite can deploy many payloads at high velocities without firing a thruster. The Senior Power Electronics Engineer will own the design, development, integration, and testing of power electronics and electrical power systems for Space Kinetic's payload and spacecraft. The role leads development of high-performance 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 engineer will translate system-level requirements into robust electrical architectures and flight-ready hardware. This is a hands-on technical leadership position covering complex 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, up to approximately 10% 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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related STEM field.
At least 7 years of professional power electronics design experience.
Demonstrated experience with power conversion, switching electronics, and motor drives.
Strong understanding of power semiconductors, gate drivers, and high-current/high-voltage circuit design.
Experience with power distribution, electrical protection, and energy storage systems.
Proficiency with schematic capture, PCB design, and electrical analysis.
Experience troubleshooting and qualifying complex electrical hardware.
Ability to independently lead technical development while working across multidisciplinary teams.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
At least 9 years of professional engineering experience.
Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicles, aerospace, robotics, or other demanding applications.
Experience with battery systems, motor drives, and high-power electromechanical actuators.
Experience with SiC/GaN semiconductors and high-efficiency power conversion.
Knowledge of EMI/EMC, grounding, filtering, and thermal management.
Experience with environmental qualification and flight hardware testing.

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.