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CesiumAstro is seeking a Staff Electrical Engineer to serve as the Unit Lead (Responsible Engineer) for the Reconfigurable Processing Unit (RPU) product line. RPUs are complex, VPX-based electronics boxes integrating software-defined radios, single-board computers, power supply modules, and RF front ends, driven by CesiumAstro modems and software.
In this role, you will own the technical definition and execution of new RPU products from concept through flight qualification. You will lead a multidisciplinary engineering team spanning RF, digital, power, mechanical, thermal, software, and systems disciplines. 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 including architecture, design, prototyping, integration, test, environmental qualification, and flight readiness
- Coordinate and direct multidisciplinary teams to ensure consistent and timely technical execution
- 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 final acceptance testing
- Own the transition to volume production, including manufacturability, testability, and customer-facing 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 throughout development and test campaigns
- Communicate status, technical trades, risks, and design decisions to internal leadership and external customers
CesiumAstro develops communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. The company operates in a dynamic, cross-functional environment emphasizing hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or related field
- 8+ years of engineering experience in electronics hardware development
- Hands-on experience with software-defined radios or 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 engineers 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.
