Sr. Electrical Engineer, Avionics Verified today
About Observable Space
Observable Space is a vertically integrated space technology company building precision optics platforms for Earth observation and in-space applications. Our systems serve NASA, JPL, SpaceX, Boeing, RTX, the US Space Force and leading research institutions. We combine opto-mechanical hardware, embedded compute, cloud orchestration and APIs into products at scale with in-house manufacturing.
What You'll Do
- Design and develop electronic circuits, PCBs, and wire harnesses for telescope and orbital hardware.
- Design and own complex multi-board computers utilizing state-of-the-art high performance SoCs and FPGAs.
- Perform circuit simulations, schematic capture, and layout reviews to ensure functionality, reliability, and manufacturability.
- Apply best practices for signal integrity, EMI/EMC compliance, and power distribution.
- Build and test prototypes, including PCB bring-up, rework, and modification.
- Develop and execute test procedures for electrical subsystems, ensuring design meets performance and safety requirements.
- Perform root cause analysis and debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, and spectrum analyzers.
- Collaborate with mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams to integrate electrical designs into complete systems.
- Define and document electrical interfaces, block diagrams, product requirements, and assembly drawings.
- Support design for manufacturing and design for reliability reviews for production transition.
Required Qualifications
- 5 or more years of experience in electrical engineering.
- Strong understanding of DC power circuits, common interfaces and protocols (I2C, SPI, CAN, Ethernet, MIPI, PCIe), ADCs, microcontrollers, opamps, and transistor circuits.
- Excellent circuit debugging skills and knowledge of power supplies, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and multimeters.
- Comfortable with PCB rework including soldering, staking, cutting traces, and wire preparation.
- Experience with circuit simulation and design tools.
- Understanding of circuit board construction, transmission line structures, signal integrity, EMI/EMC, via types, and component types.
- Experience with Altium or similar PCB software and LTSpice or similar simulation software.
- Understanding of wire harnessing fundamentals including electrical checkout, hi-pot testing, impedance characterization, and shielding.
- Product sense with emphasis on design for manufacturing and field reliability.
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments with rapid prototyping as the norm.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with signal integrity simulation software (Hyperlynx, SIwave).
- Real-world experience with CMOS image sensors or other high data rate collection sensors.
- Understanding of radiation tolerant design for TID and SEE/SEU mitigation.
- Past experience with HDI IPC-class 3 systems.
- Experience with high-reliability validation testing campaigns.
- Experience with high-speed SerDes interface design and testing.
- Experience mitigating mechanical failure points for PCBs in vibration environments.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation aligned with industry standards and your experience.
- Equity opportunities via stock options.
- Hybrid work environment with minimum 3 days per week in Los Angeles office.
- Unlimited PTO (exempt only) including paid holidays.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% employer-paid premiums.
- Access to cutting-edge hardware and software tools.
- Mission-driven culture with meaningful, real-world impact.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Reports to: Director of Electrical Engineering