Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field
3-4 years of experience in electronics hardware design
Hands-on experience with high-speed digital systems using FPGAs/microcontrollers
Experience in board-level clocking and power distribution
Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout for multilayer boards
Knowledge of signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI/EMC practices
Responsibilities
Own the electrical design of non-RF electronics for Prism's antenna
Architect and design high-density boards with FPGAs and microcontrollers
Define clocking architectures and synchronization across systems
Design comprehensive power trees from input to load regulation
Create mixed-signal interfaces between digital and analog/RF domains
Drive schematic capture and lead complex PCB layout
Lead board bring-up and design verification in the lab
Benefits
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge satellite technology
Collaborative and innovative work environment
Hands-on involvement in product development from concept to production
Access to advanced tools and technologies in electronics design
Potential for professional growth and skill enhancement
Full Job Description
Role: Northwood is looking for an Electrical Engineer to own the non-RF electronics design for Prism, our 2.4-meter parabolic antenna for high-throughput satellite links. You will design the digital compute, power, embedded, and mixed-signal hardware that sits alongside Prism's RF chain- from block diagram and component selection through schematic, layout, bring-up, and production release.
Responsibilities
Own the electrical design of Prism's non-RF electronics: high-speed digital, power electronics, embedded control, and mixed-signal circuits
Architect and design high-density boards built around FPGAs, microcontrollers, high-speed data converters, and their peripherals, including DDR memory, multi-gigabit SerDes, and 10/100G Ethernet
Define clocking architectures: reference selection, clock distribution, jitter budgets, and synchronization across boards and subsystems
Design power trees end to end, from input power and conversion stages to point-of-load regulators, sequencing, monitoring, and protection
Design mixed-signal interfaces between digital and analog/RF domains, including ADC/DAC front ends, control loops, and sensor and telemetry circuits
Drive schematic capture, define PCB stack-ups, and lead layout of complex multilayer boards with a focus on signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI/EMC
Lead board bring-up and design verification, characterizing performance in the lab and iterating designs for performance, cost, and manufacturability
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related engineering discipline
3-4 years of professional experience designing electronics hardware, with ownership of boards from schematic through bring-up
Hands-on design experience with high-speed digital systems built around FPGAs and/or microcontrollers
Experience designing board-level clocking and power distribution for complex digital systems
Proficiency in schematic capture, PCB stack-up definition, and layout of complex multilayer boards
Working knowledge of signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI/EMC design practices
Preferred Qualifications
Design experience with dense, high-pin-count FPGAs (e.g., AMD/Xilinx UltraScale+ or RFSoC) and the DDR, SerDes, and JESD204B/C interfaces around them
Low-jitter clock design: PLLs, jitter cleaners, clock fan-out, and clocking for high-speed data converters
Power electronics design: DC-DC converters, multiphase and point-of-load regulators, sequencing, hot-swap, and protection circuits
Embedded hardware design for microcontroller-based control and monitoring, with common interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, and Ethernet
Mixed-signal design, including precision analog, data converter front ends, and sensor interfaces
Lab skills with oscilloscopes, spectrum and network analyzers, and electronic loads, plus soldering and hot air rework
Python (or similar) for test automation and data analysis
Additional Information:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
