Electrical Test and Development Engineer
A New Paradigm For Space Operations.
Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup 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 the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a ‘one-to-many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.
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.
What You’ll Do:
As an Electrical Test & Development Engineer, you will bring Space Kinetic’s electronic hardware to life through hands-on testing, debugging, validation, and integration. You will work across electrical, mechanical, software, systems, manufacturing, and test teams to move circuit cards and electrical assemblies from initial prototype through qualification and integrated system testing.
Job Responsibilities:
- Lead the bring-up, testing, debugging, and validation of circuit cards, electronics assemblies, and functional electrical hardware.
- Develop and execute test plans, procedures, and verification activities for boards, subsystems, and integrated systems.
- Troubleshoot hardware using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, power supplies, electronic loads, and other laboratory equipment.
- Conduct performance testing, failure analysis, root-cause investigations, and corrective-action activities while driving findings to closure with design engineers.
- Develop test fixtures, configure test equipment, collect and analyze data, and clearly document results and recommended design improvements.
- Integrate electrical hardware with sensors, actuators, embedded processors, communication interfaces, controllers, software, and spacecraft systems.
- Support wire-harness development and integration, including design documentation, fabrication, routing, labeling, and continuity testing.
- Support environmental qualification, Design for Test, Design for Manufacturing, supplier coordination, and the transition from prototype hardware to repeatable production.
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- 3+ years of professional electrical engineering experience.
- Experience testing and debugging spacecraft, aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability electrical hardware.
- Strong understanding of analog and digital circuits and the ability to interpret schematics, PCB layouts, electrical drawings, interface-control documents, test procedures, and bills of materials.
- Hands-on experience with standard electrical test equipment and developing test procedures for boards, subsystems, or integrated hardware.
- Familiarity with schematic-capture and PCB-design tools, including Altium Designer.
- Ability to work across engineering disciplines, document findings clearly, and obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
What We'd Love:
- Experience with flight-qualified or flight-intent electronics for spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, aircraft, or missile systems.
- Experience bringing up analog, digital, mixed-signal, power-electronics, embedded, sensor-interface, or motor-control hardware.
- Experience with CAN, Ethernet, RS-422, RS-485, SPI, I2C, or UART.
- Experience developing test fixtures, harnesses, breakout boards, automated test systems, or related laboratory infrastructure.
- Experience with EMI/EMC, electronics packaging, thermal management, and environmental testing, including vibration, shock, thermal, or thermal-vacuum testing.
- Experience working with PCB fabricators, contract manufacturers, component suppliers, external test laboratories, or harness vendors.
- Familiarity with aerospace standards, high-reliability design practices, and configuration-controlled hardware development.
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The position will be on site at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA.
What We Offer:
- Competitive Base Salary + Equity-Based Compensation
- Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure
ITAR 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), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.
Pay Range
$120,000 - $160,000 USD
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