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Senior Power Electronics Engineer (Space/Hi-Rel Systems) Verified today

Star Catcher · Jacksonville, FL · Electronics · first seen 2026-09-03
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About Star Catcher

Star Catcher is building the world's first orbital energy grid: the Star Catcher Network. Spacecraft connect into the network and receive conditioned energy via their existing solar arrays, providing power from tens of Watts to tens of thousands of Watts.

The Role

You will design the critical power electronics hardware that enables our technology. You will interface directly with the spacecraft's onboard battery system and develop high-power regulators and conditioners needed to deliver clean, continuous power to the lasers. This is a high-stakes, high-reliability challenge requiring expert design of robust, high-current power electronics for space-based operation.

Key Responsibilities

  • Architect, design, and analyze high-power DC-DC converters, regulators, and power conditioning units capable of sustaining multi-kilowatt continuous loads.
  • Design safe, efficient interfaces to the spacecraft's primary battery system, managing extreme current draws, high discharge rates, and transient behaviors during high-power beaming operations.
  • Work with mechanical and thermal engineers to ensure power electronics survive extreme thermal dissipation in vacuum.
  • Develop and execute rigorous test plans (EMI/EMC, TVAC, vibration) from breadboard through flight qualification.
  • Select and qualify high-reliability, space-flight components for radiation survivability (TID, SEE) and extreme thermal cycling.
  • Mentor junior engineers, lead the power electronics team, and manage technical relationships with external contractors and vendors.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline.
  • 7+ years professional experience in power electronics design, specifically high-power, high-current regulators and power conditioning systems.

Technical Expertise Required

  • Deep understanding of switching power supply topologies (buck, boost, forward, flyback, full-bridge, LLC).
  • Proven experience in schematic capture and PCB layout for high-power circuits using advanced EDA tools (Altium Designer or equivalent).
  • Proficiency with circuit simulation, SI/PI, and thermal analysis suites (Ansys or equivalent).
  • Strong background in thermals, EMI/EMC, and grounding in high-power systems.
  • Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and tackle unprecedented engineering problems with rigorous, analytical approach.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Direct experience designing Electrical Power System (EPS) architectures for satellites, including battery management systems and solar array regulators.
  • Prior experience designing power supplies for high-power lasers, directed energy, or large-scale optical payloads.
  • Proven track record of designing hardware that has flown in space and familiarity with radiation-hardened or radiation-tolerant design practices.
  • Strong familiarity with aerospace standards including MIL-STD-461 (EMI/EMC), MIL-STD-810, NASA GEVS, or IPC J-STD-001 Space Addendum.
  • Master's degree or Ph.D. in Power Electronics or related field.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, and paid parental leave.