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Xona Space Systems is building Pulsar, an advanced satellite-based positioning and navigation infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit designed to provide centimeter-level global positioning with superior power efficiency and robust protection.
We seek a Senior Electrical Engineer to join our payload hardware team, responsible for designing, developing, and integrating electrical systems that power and control satellite payloads. This is a hands-on role combining strategic design ownership with lab-based hardware validation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and own electrical subsystems including power distribution, communication interfaces, and Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) systems. Capture requirements, conduct trade studies, and manage design trade-offs.
- Develop reliable PCBAs from concept through production, including component sourcing, derating analysis, and space-environment testing to ensure survivability in the harsh space environment.
- Lead the complete design cycle: schematic capture, PCB layout, multi-disciplinary design reviews, and comprehensive test plan development and execution.
- Perform hands-on lab work: hardware bring-up, troubleshooting, and debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power meters, and other test equipment.
- Maintain detailed engineering documentation and develop electrical interface specifications for satellite subsystems.
- Support assembly, integration, and system-level testing activities, including validation and integration onto the satellite platform.
- Mentor team members and drive continuous improvement in design practices, standards, and processes.
Required Qualifications:
- B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering or related field.
- 5+ years of experience taking designs from schematic through layout, manufacturing, test, and system integration.
- Strong fundamentals in analog/digital circuit design, power systems, signal integrity, PCB layout, and Design for Test/Manufacturing (DFT/DFM).
- Hands-on experience with embedded control systems, FPGAs, MCUs, and communication buses (I2C, SPI, CAN, RS-422, Ethernet).
- Proficiency with electrical design tools (Altium, OrCAD, SPICE simulation).
- Proven lab experience with hardware bring-up, board-level troubleshooting, and test automation.
- Understanding of reliability engineering methods: Worst-Case Circuit Analysis (WCCA), component derating, FMEA.
- Strong communication and collaborative mindset with attention to detail.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Satellite systems, bus avionics, or payload electronics experience.
- Knowledge of space radiation effects and space design practices.
- EMI/EMC design and mitigation experience.
U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency required to comply with space technology export regulations.
