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Northwood Space is a modern space infrastructure company building a global network of phased array ground stations for satellite communications. These systems enable real-time, reliable communication for national security, global connectivity, and disaster response missions. The company takes a vertically integrated approach, designing, building, and rapidly deploying scalable systems with real-world impact.
As Lead Electrical Engineer, you will drive the development of digital compute and power electronics for Northwood's antenna systems. These complex digital systems must meet high-rate processing needs across global deployments. You will lead electrical system architecture decisions, provide expertise on compute, networking, and power, and work with a hardware team that prioritizes reliability, scalability, and cost.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading electrical system architecture with expertise in compute, networking, and power
- Driving electrical design for high-speed digital communication systems, implementing RF and mixed-signal designs in complex multilayer PCBs
- Working with 100G high-speed networking, complex digital power trees, and driving system trades for architecture decisions
- Performing schematic capture, layout, and bring-up on digital systems including FPGAs, microcontrollers, and associated peripherals
- Collaborating across hardware and software teams to optimize system performance and design
- Testing prototypes and assessing performance in lab and field environments
- Working with production teams to ensure products are testable, manufacturable, and can be integrated in-house
You will mentor junior engineers, lead cross-functional technical efforts, and make sound engineering tradeoffs in a fast-paced development environment.
REQUIREMENTS:
Basic qualifications:
- 5+ years of professional experience in electrical design
- Experience running electrical engineering teams in high-stakes environments
- Proficiency in high-density/high-speed design (FPGAs, high-speed data converters, SerDes, 10/100 GigE, networking, JESD204C)
- Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout design
- Experience troubleshooting EMI/EMC (conducted or radiated)
- Knowledge of PCB materials and board stack-up definition
- Familiarity with soldering and hot air rework methods
- Experience with full product lifecycle from concept through production
Preferred qualifications:
- 5+ years designing high-speed mixed-signal electronics and complex multilayer PCBs for FPGA- or processor-based systems
- Strong expertise in high-speed interfaces and networking (multi-gigabit SerDes, DDR, JESD204B/C, 10/100G Ethernet)
- Deep understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, EMI/EMC mitigation, PCB stack-up, and high-performance board layout
- Proven experience leading hardware development from architecture through validation, manufacturing, and production ramp
- Hands-on experience debugging complex hardware systems using advanced lab instrumentation and driving root-cause analysis
- Ability to lead cross-functional efforts and mentor junior engineers
Note: ITAR compliance required. Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
