What You'll Do- Own flight avionics architecture and detailed electrical design for upgrade modules from concept through qualification, integration, launch, and on-orbit operations.
- Design, analyze, and release spacecraft electronics including processor/compute boards, power conversion and distribution interfaces, sensor/actuator interfaces, communications interfaces, and supporting analog/digital circuitry.
- Develop electrical schematics, component selections, interface definitions, grounding/bonding approaches, and board-level requirements; partner with PCB layout and manufacturing through build and bring-up.
- Drive avionics integration across flight software, GNC, power, communications, propulsion, robotics, and payload systems, resolving electrical and data-interface issues at the spacecraft level.
- Plan and execute board bring-up, functional test, environmental qualification, EMI/EMC testing, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and spacecraft-level integration; lead anomaly investigation and root-cause closure.
- Perform and review worst-case circuit analysis, power and signal integrity analysis, timing/bus analysis, derating, reliability assessments, and radiation-informed part selection appropriate to mission needs.
- Create high-quality engineering documentation and technical baselines, and contribute to major design reviews and flight readiness decisions.
What We're Looking For Required - Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- 5-8 years of experience designing and delivering complex electrical or avionics hardware for spacecraft, aerospace, defense, robotics, or other mission-critical systems.
- Demonstrated ownership of avionics or embedded electronics from architecture and schematic design through bring-up, integration, verification, and qualification.
- Strong fundamentals in analog and digital circuit design, embedded processors/FPGAs, power electronics interfaces, high-speed/serial communications, and hardware debugging.
- Hands-on proficiency with laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, power supplies, electronic loads, and data acquisition equipment.
- Strong technical communication skills and the ability to work effectively across hardware, software, systems, manufacturing, and program teams.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where ownership, initiative, and sound engineering judgment are essential.
Your Ideal Background Preferred - Experience developing spacecraft avionics through flight qualification and operational deployment.
- Experience with radiation effects, component derating, reliability, fault tolerance, redundancy, and single-event-effect mitigation for space electronics.
- Experience with common spacecraft interfaces and buses such as CAN, SpaceWire, RS-422/485, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART, and discrete I/O.
- Experience with EMI/EMC design and test, grounding/bonding, harness/interface design, and spacecraft electrical integration.
- Experience with ECAD tools and configuration-controlled release processes; familiarity with PCB layout constraints, manufacturing, and acceptance testing.
- Experience leading or supporting major reviews such as PDR, CDR, TRR, and FRR.
Additional Requirements: Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
Compensation and Benefits: Your base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The anticipated salary range for this role is $145,000 - $180,000 annually.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.
