Electrical Engineer

Matter Intelligence Electrical Engineer Role

Matter Intelligence builds advanced Earth-observation systems that combine novel sensing technology, spacecraft and airborne platforms, and AI-driven data exploitation. Our systems deliver fundamentally new ways of understanding the physical world, from molecular chemistry to temperature and 3D structure, across spaceborne and airborne missions.

Our team has delivered technologies to Mars for NASA/JPL, designed advanced sensors for U.S. defense, and built core infrastructure at OpenAI. We are now building the next generation of sensing systems for the physical world.

About the Role

We are seeking an Electrical Engineer to design, analyze, test, and integrate electronic hardware for complex sensing systems. This role is ideal for an engineer with strong PCB design fundamentals and hands-on experience taking circuits from concept through bring-up, validation, and subsystem integration.

You will work closely with sensors, systems, mechanical, software, and test engineers to develop reliable electronics for airborne and spaceborne platforms. The role requires rigorous engineering judgment, attention to detail, and comfort working in a fast-moving hardware environment.

Key Responsibilities

Circuit Design and PCB Development

• Design and develop printed circuit boards and electronic subsystems for advanced sensing platforms.
• Own schematics, layout guidance, component selection, and board-level integration using Altium Designer.
• Apply sound design practices across analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits as needed by the system.
• Support design reviews and ensure manufacturability, testability, and reliability of hardware.

Analysis and Validation

• Perform circuit simulation and analysis using Cadence PSpice or similar tools.
• Conduct performance analysis, worst-case circuit analysis, and stress derating to support robust operation across environments.
• Define and execute board bring-up, debug, and functional validation activities.
• Support acceptance testing and verification of assemblies and subsystems.

Standards, Documentation, and Quality

• Select and evaluate common PCB materials appropriate to mission and environmental requirements.
• Ensure designs adhere to IPC standards and internal quality expectations.
• Create clear engineering documentation including schematics, BOMs, test procedures, interface documentation, and design rationale.
• Partner with manufacturing and suppliers to resolve technical issues during fabrication and assembly.

Cross-Functional Integration

• Work across electrical, mechanical, software, and systems teams to integrate hardware into larger payload and platform architectures.
• Support lab testing, subsystem integration, and issue resolution during development.
• Contribute to troubleshooting efforts across prototypes, engineering units, and flight-relevant hardware.

What Success Looks Like

• Circuit designs are robust, well-documented, and manufacturable.
• Boards move efficiently from design through bring-up and test with minimal surprises.
• Hardware performs reliably under expected operating conditions and environmental constraints.
• Electrical risks are identified early and mitigated through sound analysis and testing.
• Cross-functional integration proceeds smoothly and supports overall system performance.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5-10 years of experience in PCB and circuit design and development.
• Strong experience with Altium Designer for schematic capture, PCB layout, and design release.
• Familiarity with common PCB materials, fabrication considerations, and assembly constraints.
• Working knowledge of IPC standards and acceptance testing practices.
• Experience designing, testing, debugging, and integrating circuit designs and subsystems.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience with Cadence PSpice for circuit simulation and performance analysis.
• Experience with worst-case circuit analysis and component stress derating.
• Background in electronics for aerospace, remote sensing, instrumentation, or other high-performance hardware systems.
• Experience supporting environmental, qualification, or production acceptance testing.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced startup or prototype-heavy development environment.

Location

This is a full-time role based in El Segundo, CA, with onsite presence required.

ITAR Requirements

To comply with U.S. export regulations, applicants must be one of the following:

• A U.S. citizen or national
• A lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
• Eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State

Employee Offerings & Benefits

At Matter, we believe in rewarding high performance and providing the support you need to thrive. Our compensation and benefits package includes:

• Competitive compensation based on experience
• Early-stage equity package
• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage
• Opportunity to work on novel sensing systems with real-world deployment paths across airborne and orbital platforms

Who You Are

You are a rigorous, hands-on electrical engineer who enjoys turning complex hardware problems into reliable systems. You care about design quality, documentation, and validation, and you are energized by working closely with multidisciplinary teams building hardware that will operate in the real world.