Electrical & Power Systems Engineer (Arlington)

Systems Engineer – Electrical & Power

Our Client: A confidential, early-stage U.S. space company developing modular autonomous space stations

Focus Areas: EPS, RF Communications & SWIS Electrical Architecture

Location: Washington, DC Metro Area | Full-Time, On-Site

Sponsorship: U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident required (ITAR-controlled environment)

The Company

Our client is an early-stage U.S. space company developing modular autonomous space stations. Headquartered in the Washington, DC metro area, they are building a lean, highly skilled engineering team. This is an opportunity to join a company reimagining how spacecraft and space systems are designed, deployed, and operated — at the frontier of the industry.

The Team

Our client's engineering team is highly skilled and mission-driven. This hire will be one of the first engineers on the team, working directly with the CTO and Chief Engineer. At this stage, the role will not come with a narrow task list. After the closure of the company's next funding round, this person will be in charge of managing a team of engineers and specialists across the following domains: Electrical Power architecture and RF/Communication Systems.

Your Role

This is a triple-domain engineering role. The candidate will serve as the technical lead for both the Electrical Power System and the RF/Communications system, and as Program Manager for critical IP assets.

Electrical Power System (EPS)

• Develop and maintain the system-level power budget across all mission phases (orbit, eclipse, contingency, peak demand)
• Design the core bus EPS: solar array sizing, battery selection and management, power distribution architecture (PCDU)
• Define solar panel accommodation approach including attitude trade-offs with power generation
• Lead design and development of the power transfer subsystem
• Select and qualify EPS components: solar cells, batteries, PCDUs; define EPS ICDs and V&V test plans
• Interface with the mechanical/thermal engineer for battery and solar panel thermal management

RF & Communications

• Design and develop the core bus communication system (S-band and/or UHF TC/TM link to ground)
• Perform link budget analysis for all communication modes: nominal, LEOP, and contingency
• Lead design and development of the interface data communication subsystem — intra-spacecraft wireless data link between bus and payload modules
• Define the security architecture for the satellite communications chain
• Design the satellite electrical architecture: power distribution, harness routing, and EMC/EMI management
• Coordinate with the ground segment on antenna patterns, frequency coordination, and regulatory licensing (ITU/FCC)
• Support AIT for EPS and RF systems: functional testing, battery conditioning, link testing, and solar array deployment
• Use simulation tools to validate communications system performance, electrical architecture, and electromagnetic compatibility: RF and antenna modelling in Ansys HFSS or CST Microwave Studio, EMC/EMI analysis in Ansys EMC Plus, power system simulation in MATLAB/Simulink or PSIM, and link budget verification tools (STK Communications or equivalent)

Your Qualifications

Required

• M.S. or B.S. in Electrical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering
• 7+ years of experience spanning both spacecraft EPS design and RF/communications systems
• Experience sizing solar arrays and battery systems for LEO spacecraft and performing power budget analysis
• Demonstrated experience performing link budget analysis for space-to-ground communication links
• Familiarity with space communication standards (CCSDS, DVB-S2, or equivalent)
• Knowledge of PCDU architecture, battery charge/discharge management, and EMC/EMI design practices
• U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident

Preferred

• Experience with wireless power transfer technology (inductive or resonant coupling)
• Experience with wireless intra-spacecraft or short-range RF link design
• Knowledge of COMSEC or cryptographic systems for space applications
• Familiarity with FCC/ITU frequency coordination processes
• Experience with spacecraft-level electrical and RF testing
• Experience with Ansys HFSS for 3D full-wave electromagnetic simulation: antenna design and characterisation, waveguide and connector modelling, and near/far-field radiation pattern analysis for spacecraft RF systems
• Experience with Ansys EMC Plus (or equivalent such as CST Studio Suite) for system-level EMC/EMI analysis: conducted and radiated emission modelling, shielding effectiveness, and cable harness coupling assessment on spacecraft electrical architectures
• Familiarity with power electronics simulation tools (PSIM, PLECS, or MATLAB/Simulink Power Systems Toolbox) for EPS and PCDU modelling; experience with STK Communications module or equivalent for link budget and antenna coverage validation

The Person We're Looking For

Someone comfortable moving between a power budget spreadsheet and an RF link budget in the same week. Someone who understands that on a small team, the electrical and communications domains are deeply intertwined. A self-starter who thrives in fast-paced environments.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: Competitive with early-stage aerospace startups, commensurate with experience
• Equity: Meaningful founding-team equity grant with standard 4-year vesting / 1-year cliff
• Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance; flexible PTO; 401(k) match and vesting

Our client is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.