Satellite System Engineer

Job Description We are a startup developing missions for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and are looking for a mid-level Satellite Systems Engineer with a strong design mindset and hands-on execution capability. This role is design-heavy, with end-to-end responsibility spanning system architecture, subsystem selection, integration, environmental testing, and launch preparation. You will play a key role in shaping the spacecraft design, making pragmatic trade-offs appropriate for LEO environments, and selecting and procuring COTS subsystems and components that balance performance, reliability, cost, and schedule. Responsibilities: • Drive system-level spacecraft design for LEO CubeSat missions, including architecture definition, requirements flow-down, and interface management. • Perform design trade-offs considering LEO environmental constraints such as thermal cycling, radiation exposure, and launch loads. • Lead or contribute to the selection, evaluation, and procurement of COTS subsystems and components, including avionics, power systems, radios, payload electronics, and sensors. • Assess vendor documentation, qualification data, heritage, and risks associated with COTS hardware; define acceptance or additional screening tests as needed. • Prepare and maintain clear, traceable technical documentation, including system requirements, interface control documents, test plans and procedures, verification matrices, and anomaly or corrective action reports. • Define and maintain electrical architectures, including power distribution, grounding, harnessing, and data interfaces. • Work directly with spacecraft interfaces and protocols such as RS-422/232, UART, I2C, CSP, SPI, CAN, and similar onboard buses. • Support and execute hands-on AIT activities, including hardware bring-up, integration, debugging, rework, and re-test. • Plan, support, and analyze environmental testingappropriate for LEO missions, including TVAC, TID, vibration, and shock. • Understand and apply launch environment requirements, including static and dynamic loads, acoustic environments, deployer constraints, and separation events. • Apply EMI/EMC design principles throughout the spacecraft; investigate and mitigate interference issues discovered during integration or test. • Generate and maintain system documentation including ICDs, test plans, verification matrices, anomaly reports, and corrective action records. • Support launch integration activities and early mission operations as a technical contributor when required. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Systems, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline. • 3+ years of relevant experience in satellite, aerospace, or high-reliability embedded hardware systems. • Understand basic orbital mechanics and assess how orbit characteristics impact mission operations • Strong design experience at system or subsystem level for small satellites or equivalent complex hardware. • Demonstrated experience selecting and working with COTS hardware, including vendor evaluation and technical due diligence. • Solid understanding of CubeSat system hierarchy and subsystem interactions. • Practical experience with embedded and spacecraft interfaces (RS-422/232, UART, I2C, CSP, SPI, CAN, etc.). • Working knowledge of environmental testing for space hardware • Strong understanding of EMI/EMC fundamentals and grounding • Ability to troubleshoot issues using schematics, test and lab equipment, logs, and engineering judgment. Preferred Qualifications: • Prior experience in an aerospace company. • Direct involvement in at least one LEO missionthrough integration, environmental testing, and launch preparation. • Experience defining acceptance vs. qualification test strategies for COTS-based spacecraft. • Working proficiency with mechanical and electrical CAD tools to review layouts, assess integration constraints, and support design trades. • Familiarity with deployers, launch integrators, launch provider requirements, and rideshare integration processes. • Experience with power systems, avionics boards, harness design, and grounding strategies for space applications. • Comfortable operating with incomplete information and making pragmatic engineering decisions under startup constraints. • Hands-on experience with spacecraft Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT), including hardware bring-up, environmental testing support, and anomaly resolution in a lab setting. • Familiarity with IPC standards and PCB quality, including inspection, workmanship criteria, and acceptance testing relevant to high-reliability aerospace hardware. Benefits: Competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and fuel support. Continued support for candidates currently enrolled in a master's or doctoral program. Opportunities for continuous professional growth and skill development. Engage in a collaborative and innovative work environment. Enjoy a positive and enriching work environment, situated in a desirable location.