Senior Power Electronics Engineer

Location: El Segundo, California

Department: Whirlwind Development Team - Electrical Engineering

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.

Who We Are:

Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attainable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a ‘one-to-many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.

Our vision is unique, and so is the team we’re building. So, if your background doesn’t fully meet these qualifications, we still want your application.

This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space.

What You’ll Do: 

As a Senior Power Electronics Engineer, you will own the design, development, integration, and testing of power electronics and electrical power systems for Space Kinetic's payload and spacecraft. You will lead the development of high-performance power conversion, distribution, and control electronics that enable demanding electromechanical systems and other flight-critical hardware. 

You will work across electrical, mechanical, controls, software, and systems engineering to translate system-level requirements into robust electrical architectures and flight-ready hardware. This is a highly hands-on engineering role requiring technical leadership, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to take complex power electronics from initial concept through qualification and flight. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the architecture and design of power electronics for spacecraft and electromechanical systems. 
• Design high-power switching electronics, DC/DC converters, motor drives, and power distribution systems. 
• Develop power architectures incorporating energy storage, battery management, protection, and distribution. 
• Perform electrical, thermal, efficiency, transient response, and component derating analyses. 
• Select and qualify power semiconductors, gate drivers, magnetics, and other critical components. 
• Develop schematics, PCB layouts, electrical interfaces, and hardware specifications. 
• Lead hardware bring-up, debugging, characterization, and qualification testing. 
• Collaborate with controls and embedded systems engineers on power electronics interfaces and control strategies. 
• Support vehicle integration, environmental testing, and flight hardware development. 
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship while remaining hands-on with design and development. 

What It Takes: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematic) field.
• 7+ years of professional power electronics design experience. 
• Demonstrated experience with power conversion, switching electronics, and motor drives. 
• Strong understanding of power semiconductors, gate drivers, and high-current/high-voltage circuit design. 
• Experience with power distribution, electrical protection, and energy storage systems. 
• Proficiency with schematic capture, PCB design, and electrical analysis. 
• Experience troubleshooting and qualifying complex electrical hardware. 
• Ability to independently lead technical development while working across multidisciplinary teams. 
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance. 

What We'd Love: 

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field. 
• 9+ years of professional engineering experience. 
• Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicles, aerospace, robotics, or other demanding applications. 
• Experience with battery systems, motor drives, and high-power electromechanical actuators. 
• Experience with SiC/GaN semiconductors and high-efficiency power conversion. 
• Knowledge of EMI/EMC, grounding, filtering, and thermal management. 
• Experience with environmental qualification and flight hardware testing. 

Where You’ll Be:  

• The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Domestic travel may be required (up to ~10% of the year).

What We Offer: 

• Equity-Based Compensation 
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 3.5% company match 
• Highly Competitive PTO 
• Paid company holidays + winter break
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance 
• Unique Performance-based bonus opportunities 

ITAR Requirements: 

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here. 

Equal Employment Opportunity: 

Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.