Senior Hardware Engineer (Orbital Infrastructure)

TL;DR

Senior Hardware Engineer (Orbital Infrastructure): Lead physical design and component strategy for space-based servers processing massive data loads in LEO with an accent on adapting COTS hardware for radiation and thermal extremes. Focus on architecting custom server sleds, ensuring signal integrity for PCIe/CXL interconnects, and qualifying hardware through TVAC and vibration testing.

Location: Bellevue, WA (Hybrid). US Citizenship required.

Salary: $157,600 - $197,000 USD

Company

Full-stack edge infrastructure company delivering compute, connectivity, and sovereign AI/ML to remote places worldwide, now building modular orbital data centers.

What you will do

• Lead component strategy: select CPUs, GPUs, NVMe storage evaluating performance-per-watt and radiation susceptibility.
• Architect custom server sleds, high-speed backplanes for PCIe Gen 5/6 and CXL in compact satellite form factors.
• Collaborate with Tier 1 vendors on firmware/hardware modifications for orbital stability.
• Design conduction cooling with PCM/heat pipes and mechanical integrations for vacuum environments.
• Implement hardware hardening via shielding, reinforcements, and conductive paths.
• Oversee testing from breadboarding to TVAC, vibration, and shock qualification.

Requirements

• US Citizenship
• 10+ years hands-on experience in server-class hardware, HPC, or ruggedized electronics
• Strong relationships with semiconductor and data center vendors
• Expertise in x86/ARM, memory hierarchies, PCIe/NVMe/Ethernet interconnects
• Proficiency in high-speed PCB design (Altium, Cadence, Allegro)
• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related

Nice to have

• Spaceflight heritage in LEO/GEO environments
• Radiation mitigation expertise (SEE, TID) with redundancy/shielding
• Aerospace integration with satellite buses/power systems
• Familiarity with MIL-STD or aerospace testing protocols

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive base salary, equity, subsidized medical/dental/vision
• HSA, FSA, DCFSA, 401(k)/Roth 401(k)
• Unlimited PTO, 14 paid holidays
• Ownership-driven culture tackling unsolved challenges in fast-paced environment