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CesiumAstro develops advanced communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Electrical Engineer to serve as the Unit Lead (Responsible Engineer) for our Reconfigurable Processing Unit (RPU) product line.
The RPU is a complex, VPX-based electronics box integrating software-defined radios, single-board computers, power supply modules, RF front ends, modems, and software. As Unit Lead, you will own both the technical definition and execution of new RPU products, combining deep multi-disciplinary technical accountability with schedule responsibility.
Key responsibilities include:
- Serve as the primary technical point of contact for the RPU throughout the product development lifecycle
- Lead end-to-end engineering efforts: architecture, design, prototyping, integration, test, environmental qualification, and flight readiness
- Coordinate and direct a multidisciplinary team of RF, digital, power, mechanical, thermal, software, and systems engineers
- Hold schedule accountability for box development
- Develop and review payload control schemes, internal data interfaces, command & telemetry architecture, and firmware/software integration
- Manage all flight qualification activities, including environmental test planning (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, EMC), margin assessment, and acceptance testing
- Own the transition to volume production, including manufacturability, testability, and customer documentation
- Generate and maintain box-level documentation: requirements, ICDs, block diagrams, test plans, verification matrices, risk registers, and design reviews
- Interface with spacecraft systems engineering, mission assurance, manufacturing, vendors, and test facilities
- Drive root cause analysis, anomaly resolution, and technical risk mitigation
- Communicate status, technical trades, risks, and design decisions to internal leadership and external customers
This role combines technical depth with project management, leadership, and communication in a fast-paced startup environment. You will be a key interface point for customers and the primary technical leader for multidisciplinary teams.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or related field
- 12 years of engineering experience in electronics hardware development
- Hands-on experience with software-defined radios and related technologies
- Leadership experience, including mentoring or leading multidisciplinary engineering teams
- Strong knowledge of systems engineering practices, requirements flowdown, verification/validation, and configuration management
- Excellent communication skills with ability to present complex technical information to diverse audiences
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
- Understanding of payload control systems, digital interfaces, command & data handling, and embedded hardware/software interactions
- Proven experience executing or overseeing flight qualification and environmental test campaigns (TVAC, vibration/shock, EMC, radiation considerations)
- Experience managing hardware/software product development projects
- Experience with radiation-tolerant design
- Experience with high-rate manufacturing, rapid development cycles, and/or NewSpace ecosystems
- Prior role as Responsible Engineer, Technical Lead, IPT Lead, or Chief Engineer on flight hardware
- Background in digital signal processing, beamforming algorithms, or embedded firmware for payload control
- Experience mentoring less-experienced project and design engineers
NOTE: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, conditional resident, asylee, or refugee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State to comply with U.S. Government Space Technology Export Regulations.
