Senior Spacecraft Command & Data Handling EngineerAvionic SystemsOn-site in El Segundo, CA$146,200 - $260,000/YearlyWe are hiring a
Senior Spacecraft Command & Data Handling (C&DH) Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and integration of spacecraft avionics and electrical hardware for advanced space vehicle programs. This role supports complex aerospace and defense missions by driving spacecraft command and data handling system design, avionics architecture trade studies, SpaceWire, Ethernet, RS-422/485, LVDS integration, fault management, EMI/EMC analysis, and spacecraft electrical system performance while collaborating across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Responsibilities:- Architect spacecraft Command & Data Handling (C&DH) subsystem solutions that align with mission objectives, system requirements, fault management strategies, and vehicle-level architecture.
- Lead avionics architecture trade studies to optimize system performance, power, mass, reliability, manufacturability, schedule, and cost.
- Define subsystem requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), verification plans, and validation activities throughout the system lifecycle.
- Perform and direct high-fidelity engineering analyses including data budgets, signal integrity, clock drift, jitter, timing analysis, and EMI/EMC compatibility to ensure robust design margins.
- Lead vendor evaluations, component selection, and make-versus-buy trade studies while balancing technical risk, lifecycle support, schedule, and cost.
- Provide technical leadership in resolving complex spacecraft avionics and electrical hardware issues during design, integration, test, and mission readiness activities.
- Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to develop Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) strategies that improve spacecraft resiliency and operational reliability.
- Support mission operations by providing technical expertise for spacecraft health assessment, anomaly resolution, and system performance.
- Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, promote engineering best practices, and contribute to the continued growth of the C&DH engineering organization.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Level 4 Responsibilities- Serve as the technical lead and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for spacecraft C&DH systems on assigned programs.
- Lead complex technical trade studies and provide engineering oversight throughout integration and environmental testing activities.
Level 5 Responsibilities- Serve as the organization's primary technical authority for spacecraft C&DH architectures across multiple programs.
- Establish engineering standards, technical roadmaps, and organizational best practices for spacecraft avionics development.
- Mentor engineering teams while driving long-term technical strategy and innovation.
Qualifications:- U.S. Citizenship is required by Federal Law
- Ability to obtain a final U.S. Security Clearance after start.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 9+ years of professional engineering experience in spacecraft, aerospace, avionics, or related electrical systems.
- 7+ years of experience designing, analyzing, and integrating spacecraft electrical hardware or complex avionics systems.
- 9+ years of experience with spacecraft communication protocols including:
- SpaceWire
- Ethernet
- RS-422/485
- LVDS
- Experience developing spacecraft avionics architectures, subsystem requirements, interface definitions, verification activities, and system integration.
- Experience performing electrical analyses including signal integrity, timing, data throughput, EMI/EMC, and system reliability.
Preferred Qualifications:- Level 5: 14+ years of related engineering experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience serving as a Responsible Engineering Authority (REA) or Lead Engineer on complex spacecraft or national security space programs.
- Strong knowledge of aerospace industry standards and DoD cybersecurity implementation for space systems.
- Experience supporting high-rate manufacturing or production environments.
- Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Experience presenting technical information to engineering leadership, customers, and executive stakeholders.
