Principal Avionics Systems Engineer (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Principal Avionics Systems Engineer (Aerospace): Serve as Responsible Engineer for avionics system design, performance, and hardware across computing, power systems, RF components, GNC sensors, and harnessing on satellite buses with an accent on spacecraft charging, radiation, EMI, and RF compatibility. Focus on leading design trades, integrating avionics into spacecraft systems, executing qualification testing, and establishing production test infrastructure for high-power satellites in MEO and GEO.

Location: Los Angeles, CA. US Person required (ITAR compliance)

Salary: $180,000 - $240,000 + equity

Company

Building the largest and highest-power satellites for LEO to deep space missions, backed by $450M from leading investors and $500M in contracts.

What you will do

• Lead avionics system design, requirements capture, trades, and integration into spacecraft systems.
• Create technical documentation including diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, and test reports.
• Execute component and system testing through development, acceptance, qualification, and integration.
• Support spacecraft integration, production issues, troubleshooting, and risk management.
• Design and build avionics production infrastructure and modular test/automation software in Python and Rust.
• Manage project plans, milestones, schedules, and communicate in technical reviews.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering or equivalent.
• 8+ years in architectural design, development, test, and integration of space-grade avionics systems.
• Experience with hardware test automation, data analysis, and electrical test equipment.
• Hands-on with environmental testing (thermal, TVAC, vibration, shock, radiation, EMI/EMC per SMC-S-016).
• Expertise in vehicle grounding, spacecraft charging, EMI, RF testing/compatibility.
• Proficiency with NX CAD for harness routing, Altium for PCB design, Linux, Bash, C++, MODBUS.
• Vehicle-level testing, power analysis, flight software, communication systems.

Nice to have

• Strong presentation skills for PDRs, CDRs, FRRs.

Culture & Benefits

• Fast-paced startup environment with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Comprehensive benefits: PTO, medical/dental/vision, life insurance, paid parental leave.
• Equity in the company.
• Thrive in high-velocity atmosphere, creative problem-solving, collaborative decisions.