Principal Electrical Engineer

Why LeoLabs?

At LeoLabs, we're building the living map of activity in space. Through our proprietary global radar network and AI-enabled analytics platform, we collect millions of measurements daily on more than 25,000 objects in low Earth orbit (LEO). Our radar-powered intelligence protects billions in assets, monitors adversarial behavior, and ensures safe operations for commercial and government missions.

We're not just building technology, we are redefining global security, safety, and transparency in space. As orbital activity accelerates and threats grow more complex, LeoLabs is a trusted partner for Space Domain Awareness, Space Traffic Management, and Satellite Operations for top-tier space operators and allied defense organizations.

If you're looking to work on mission-critical challenges at the forefront of aerospace, national security, and AI, your impact starts here.

As a Principal Electrical Engineer, you will lead the design and architecture of the electronics that power our next-generation radar systems. You will own complex board-level hardware across multiple programs, guiding designs from concept and system architecture through validation, manufacturing, and deployment. This is a hands-on technical leadership role for an experienced engineer who enjoys solving difficult problems, mentoring other engineers, and building reliable hardware that performs in demanding environments.


You will work closely with RF, mechanical, embedded software, manufacturing, and systems engineers to develop high-performance radar hardware from concept through deployment. This is a full-time, onsite position based in Menlo Park, California. Occasional travel may be required to support hardware integration and field activities.


You will be responsible for:

• Own the electrical architecture and design of complex radar electronics across multiple programs
• Lead the development of mixed-signal, power, control, timing, and high-performance digital PCBAs from concept through production
• Define board-level architecture, component selection, schematic capture, layout strategy, and system integration
• Drive hardware bring-up, validation, debugging, and design optimization in the laboratory
• Work closely with RF, mechanical, embedded software, manufacturing, and systems engineers to deliver integrated hardware solutions
• Conduct technical design reviews and mentor engineers across the RF & Electrical Engineering Team
• Establish electrical design standards, best practices, and development processes that improve hardware quality and execution
• Evaluate technical tradeoffs and guide architectural decisions across multiple hardware programs
• Support manufacturing, field deployments, and root-cause investigations as products transition into production

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline
• 10+ years of experience designing complex board-level electronics
• Demonstrated experience developing hardware from concept through production
• Expert-level experience with Altium Designer or equivalent PCB design software
• Strong mixed-signal design fundamentals, including power distribution, signal integrity, grounding, and EMI/EMC-aware layout
• Hands-on experience with board bring-up, debugging, and electrical validation
• Experience developing engineering tools and automation using Python
• Familiarity with circuit simulation tools such as LTspice
• Experience with PLM systems such as Arena or equivalent
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. personnel security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering
• Experience designing radar, aerospace, communications, defense, or other mission-critical electronics
• Experience with high-speed digital interfaces, FPGA-based systems, embedded processors, or precision analog electronics
• Experience supporting hardware through manufacturing and deployment
• Experience leading technical teams and mentoring engineers
• Working knowledge of RF electronics and system integration

Within 1 month, you'll:

• Complete onboarding and become familiar with LeoLabs' radar architecture, development process, and electrical design environment
• Build an understanding of current hardware programs and future product roadmap
• Begin contributing to active hardware development efforts and technical discussion

Within 3 months, you'll:

• Take ownership of a major electrical subsystem under active development
• Lead design reviews and guide key architectural decisions
• Drive prototype bring-up, validation, and cross-functional integration efforts

Within 6 months, you'll:

• Lead the development of complex board-level hardware from design through prototype validation
• Establish yourself as a technical leader for electrical architecture and system integration
• Mentor engineers across the RF & Electrical Engineering Team

Within 12 months, you'll:

• Deliver multiple hardware designs into production
• Shape the electrical architecture for future radar platforms
• Drive technical direction across multiple hardware development programs

Compensation


Salary offers are based on a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, and location. The base salary range for this position $213,000 + bonus + stock options + benefits

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. More information regarding ITAR can be found at DDTC's website