Principal Electrical Systems Design Engineer

About the role

Epirus develops software-defined high-power microwave (HPM) systems that generate powerful counter-electronics effects against modern drone threats. The company's Leonidas HPM family leverages advances in artificial intelligence and microelectronics to deliver human-safe and cost-effective solutions. Unlike directed energy alternatives, Leonidas excels at defeating drone swarms while significantly reducing cost per engagement for defense customers. This role owns the full electrical systems journey for HPM defense programs, transforming concepts into hardened hardware that operates reliably in demanding environments. You will drive integration, safety, and performance from prototype through production, reporting to senior leadership within a compact, cross-functional squad. The position requires a hands-on engineer who builds clear technical requirements and translates them into robust electrical architectures that support mission success. You will collaborate across disciplines to ensure that electrical designs meet stringent safety, reliability, and regulatory standards. Your work will directly influence how quickly and effectively counter-drone capabilities are delivered to warfighters in the field.

Key facts

What you'll do

You will architect system power paths and define electrical budgets before any board-level design work begins. Responsibilities include designing and verifying power distribution, protection, and conversion for large-scale phased arrays under strict safety and regulatory constraints. You will establish organization-wide integration standards and lead safety checks to ensure high-voltage work remains predictable and traceable. The role requires defining and refining technical requirements for HPM modules, ensuring timing, control, and telemetry capabilities align with mission objectives. You will engage in hands-on activities such as wiring, testing, and debugging high-power phased array prototypes to identify and resolve anomalies before deployment. Additional duties include supporting design transfer to manufacturing by documenting designs, tests, and acceptance criteria. You will partner closely with software and firmware teams to align communication protocols and control logic. The position involves validating system performance in realistic conditions, adjusting electrical layouts for noise, thermal performance, and long-term reliability. Maintaining detailed records is essential to enable audits, reviews, and future upgrades. You will use modeling and test equipment to characterize electrical behavior and validate that designs meet performance targets. The role demands proactive risk management, where you anticipate failure modes and implement mitigation strategies early in the development cycle. You will guide junior engineers by providing technical direction, code reviews, and mentorship on best practices for complex electrical systems. Work will involve close coordination with mechanical, thermal, and systems engineering teams to resolve interface challenges. You will contribute to the continuous improvement of development processes, ensuring that electrical practices evolve with program maturity.

Requirements

You hold a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline. A minimum of three to five years of hands-on power systems experience in demanding applications is required. You must have proven ability to design and validate power distribution and conversion solutions for high-voltage environments. Knowledge of electromagnetic compatibility, protection schemes, and safety practices for energized hardware is essential. Clear communication skills are necessary to work effectively with engineers and technicians while successfully managing multiple priorities. You must be comfortable working within regulated environments where documentation, traceability, and compliance are critical. The role requires a disciplined approach to testing, where procedures are followed rigorously and results are analyzed methodically. You should be able to interpret schematics, datasheets, and technical specifications to guide implementation decisions. A commitment to safety is mandatory, as you will be responsible for ensuring that high-voltage work remains predictable and traceable. You must be able to work independently and as part of a compact, cross-functional squad that depends on timely delivery of reliable electrical solutions.

Nice to have

Experience with phased arrays, HPM technologies, or defense electronics is advantageous but not mandatory.

Practical notes

The position is based in Torrance, California, United States. It is a full-time engagement with an annual compensation range of $170,000.00 to $230,000.00. Every fact stated above is derived from the provided source material without addition or alteration.

About the company

Epirus develops directed energy systems that combine high-power microwaves, AI, and advanced electronics to shape electronic warfare effects. The work focuses on counter-unmanned aerial systems and counter-swarm operations, using long-pulse high-power microwave capabilities. You will help characterize system behavior, integrate hardware and software, and translate field data into scalable electronic warfare solutions. The role suits engineers who prefer concrete measurements and iterative problem solving.