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Star Catcher is building the first energy grid in space to power the orbital economy. Today's spacecraft must generate all their own power, which limits their capabilities and operational duration. Star Catcher is developing technology to wirelessly beam energy to spacecraft's existing solar panels when and where needed, creating an entirely new energy infrastructure at scale.
As a Senior Electrical Engineer - Power Electronics, you will lead and co-own power-domain architectures across projects with other senior engineering leads. You will serve as the subject matter expert for power electronics designs company-wide and lead investigation of novel power electronics concepts and technologies.
Key responsibilities include:
- Architect, design, and analyze high-power DC-DC converters, regulators, and power conditioning units capable of sustaining multi-kilowatt continuous loads
- Design and analyze power distribution architectures and EMI filters using SIMPLIS, SPICE, or equivalent simulation tools
- Design robust interfaces between energy sources and high-power loads, addressing source impedance, inrush, transient demand, protection coordination, and operating limits
- Design and analyze high-voltage subsystems and laser drive power, ensuring mitigation of corona discharge, arcing, and electrical breakdown in partial and deep vacuum environments
- Write specifications and test approaches for power supply circuit designs; select components or modules for discrete power converter designs
- Create schematics for analog/power circuits and support PCB layout for power electronics hardware
- Conduct and participate in peer design reviews, design verification testing (DVT) of engineering units, and provide oversight as designs move into production
- Perform analog and power testing in laboratory settings for development components and circuit cards
- Work closely with digital/FPGA, RF, mechanical, and thermal engineering teams to ensure power electronics can survive extreme thermal dissipation requirements of continuous multi-kilowatt loads in vacuum
- Mentor junior and mid-level power electronics engineers; manage technical relationships with external contractors and vendors
- Lead power-switch selection and derating with radiation-effects consultants, accounting for device-specific destructive single-event effects, application bias and transients, thermal limits, test-data gaps, and verification evidence
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline
- 10+ years of professional experience in power electronics design, specifically with high-power, high-current regulators and power conditioning systems
- Deep understanding of switching power supply topologies (buck, boost, forward, flyback, full-bridge, LLC)
- Demonstrated understanding of high-voltage design rules for space, including creepage and clearance, dielectric material selection, partial-vacuum breakdown behavior (Paschen-region effects), and other vacuum-breakdown mechanisms
- Proven experience in schematic capture and PCB layout for high-power circuits using advanced EDA tools (Altium Designer or equivalent), alongside circuit simulation, SI/PI, and thermal analysis suites (Ansys or equivalent)
- Demonstrated knowledge of AC/DC and DC/DC power converter design, build, and test, including control loops and stabilization analysis
- Strong background in managing thermals, EMI/EMC, and grounding in high-power systems
- Demonstrated experience leading or co-owning power system or subsystem architecture from concept through qualification in a demanding environment; spaceflight heritage preferred
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced environment and tackle unprecedented engineering problems with rigorous, analytical approach
Preferred qualifications include: satellite EPS architecture experience, laser/optics power design, vacuum/HV testing and qualification, space flight experience with radiation-hardened design practices, high-frequency magnetics knowledge, aerospace standards familiarity (MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810, NASA GEVS, IPC J-STD-001 Space Addendum), or advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Power Electronics or related field.
