Head Avionics Engineer

Outpost is at the forefront of space logistics, developing innovative Earth return vehicles that enable safe and efficient payload recovery from space to Earth. By accelerating the transition of industries into orbit, we open new possibilities for space-based manufacturing and global logistics. Our flagship project, the Ferryall spacecraft, is supported by the U.S. Government, with four missions supported over the next four years. We're also developing the Carryall vehicle, designed to return up to 10 tons from space, significantly expanding the scope of what's possible for space-based operations. Founded in 2021 by industry veteran Jason Dunn, and based in Santa Monica, California, our team is committed to advancing space technology and making space accessible to all.

The Team

The Avionics team is responsible for the design, testing, and production of electronic systems for Outpost’s Earth return vehicles. Your duties will include devising avionics hardware designs and system architectures for multiple satellite systems. These systems encompass a range of components such as computers, sensors, actuators, propulsion, electrical power generation, storage, conditioning and distribution, and communications systems. 

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, aerospace, or related field
• Minimum 5+ years of experience designing and building electrical hardware
• Experience in leading projects and managing direct reports
• Work on-site in Santa Monica, CA 

Responsibilities:

• Lead satellite avionics design and development 
• Rapid development of high reliability electronics for satellite systems.
• Drive system trades, requirements capture, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, bring-up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, and test.
• Create development and qualification testing campaigns and exercise designs to their limits.
• Support hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) setup and test 
• Coordinate with the team on system test needs and interfaces to support production of a HITL simulated flight environment
• Support embedded systems firmware development
• Assist with systems engineering-based requirements definition and verification with a diverse group of software and hardware-based test team members, in a lab environment and to support flight testing
• Support hardware through production, integration, test, flight, re-entry and refurbishment
• Work with experts from other areas to drive changes that make the systems more efficient, more manufacturable, and more reliable. Challenge assumptions and requirements
• Coordinate with vendors of avionics products, both software and hardware, to ensure products are delivered within expectations

Additional Skills or Expertise:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, aerospace, or related field
• Experience with circuit board layout, including for switching power converters or high speed digital communication circuits (Altium Designer)
• Experience with developing electrical hardware and defining architecture from a blank slate
• Experience designing switching power converters, power magnetics, analog control loops, solid state load switches, EMI/EMC compliance, or sensor signal conditioning circuits
• Experience with high voltage devices, lithium ion batteries, or power distribution optimization
• Experience with microcontrollers, high performance digital processors, FPGAs, memory chips, and/or network switches
• Experience with circuit board design-for-manufacturability, productization of electronics
• Hands-on experience with board level bring-up, testing and debugging.
• Experience with systems engineering-based requirements definition, verification and validation
• Experience defining software and hardware interfaces, design and architecture
• Experience writing firmware and software in C/C++ and Python
• Experience designing and selecting components for radiation-tolerant circuitry 

Compensation:

• $160,000 - $205,000, based on experience
• Incentive Equity
• Annual Performance-Based Bonus
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• PTO
• 401k with Company match
• Subsidized daily catered lunch, snacks and coffee

You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 ,or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State

We are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce. Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Outpost Space we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.