Electrical Engineer

About the role

The Electrical Engineer will join the Starlight Solar team at Starpath, focusing on developing advanced space solar power systems to support the company's mission of enabling humans to live on the Moon and Mars. This position involves designing high voltage power conversion hardware, qualifying components for space environments, and supporting rapid prototyping and manufacturing processes. The role requires close collaboration with mechanical, systems, and manufacturing teams to create reliable, scalable, and cost-effective hardware suitable for space applications. The engineer will be instrumental in pushing the boundaries of space-grade power electronics, ensuring that the systems meet stringent qualification standards, and supporting hardware from initial design through to production.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Design, qualify, and bring to scaled production high voltage power conversion systems for array conditioning in space solar power applications.
• Translate system requirements into detailed electrical designs, including system topology, schematic diagrams, and layout plans suitable for space hardware.
• Develop prototypes rapidly, including manufacturing and testing hardware on short timelines to validate design concepts.
• Select appropriate manufacturing methods and equipment to enable low-cost, scalable production of space-grade power electronics.
• Collaborate with mechanical teams to package electrical hardware into mechanical systems that can withstand space environments.
• Define qualification and acceptance criteria to ensure hardware reliability in space, considering mechanical, thermal, and radiation environments.
• Manage hazardous high voltage testing procedures, ensuring safety and compliance with standards.
• Interface with other engineering teams to integrate electrical hardware into larger systems, including satellite or lunar/martian equipment.
• Document design processes, test results, and qualification procedures to meet aerospace standards.
• Support hardware development from initial prototypes through to full production, ensuring quality and performance.
• Develop custom test support hardware such as harnesses, fixtures, and test setups to facilitate hardware validation.
• Lead test campaigns to verify hardware performance, reliability, and compliance with space qualification standards.
• Work on continuous improvement of hardware designs to enhance performance, reduce costs, and increase reliability.
• Stay current with advancements in high voltage power electronics, space qualification standards, and manufacturing techniques relevant to space applications.
• Contribute to the overall mission of Starpath by developing hardware that supports lunar and Martian infrastructure, including water, power, and oxygen systems.
• Support cross-disciplinary teams to ensure hardware integration aligns with mission goals and technical requirements.
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and project planning activities to meet project milestones.
• Maintain a strong focus on safety, quality, and compliance throughout all phases of hardware development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience designing, testing, and debugging PCBAs or power electronics hardware.
• Proven ability to quickly learn new skills, theories, and standards relevant to space hardware development.
• Strong desire to contribute to making humans a multi-planet species.
• Experience with high voltage power conversion design, especially in DC systems.
• Knowledge of space qualification standards and testing procedures, including familiarity with NASA standards and IPC standards.
• Experience with manufacturing processes suitable for space hardware, including selecting appropriate methods and equipment.
• Ability to work on rapid development timelines, managing multiple tasks efficiently.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot hardware issues effectively.
• Excellent collaboration skills to work with mechanical, systems, and manufacturing teams.
• Willingness to work on-site in Hawthorne, CA.
• Ability to manage hazardous high voltage testing safely and effectively.
• Good documentation skills to record design decisions, test results, and qualification procedures.
• Knowledge of safety protocols and compliance requirements for space hardware development.

Nice to have

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience designing high-efficiency DC power converters for space applications.
• Familiarity with high voltage effects such as arcing, partial discharge, and insulation breakdown, and methods to mitigate these effects.
• Experience with spaceflight qualification standards, including NASA STD and IPC standards.
• Ability to develop hardware from prototype to full production, including process development.
• Experience creating custom harnesses, fixtures, and test setups for space hardware testing.
• Knowledge of space-specific manufacturing techniques and quality assurance processes.
• Strong interest in space exploration and supporting lunar and Martian infrastructure development.

Skills & tools

• Power electronics design and analysis
• PCB layout, debugging, and testing
• High voltage testing and safety procedures
• Mechanical integration and packaging for space hardware
• Qualification and acceptance testing standards
• Rapid prototyping and hardware iteration
• Use of electrical design software (e.g., SPICE, Altium Designer)
• Familiarity with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, high voltage probes, and environmental chambers
• Documentation and technical writing skills
• Collaboration tools and project management software

Practical notes

• This position is based on-site in Hawthorne, CA, and involves occasional travel for testing or collaboration.
• Candidates must meet U.S. export control regulations, including being a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or otherwise eligible to obtain necessary authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
• The role offers a competitive salary, which scales with experience, along with an equity package.
• Benefits include PTO and health/dental/vision coverage.
• Candidates should be prepared to work in a fast-paced environment with rapid development cycles.
• The role emphasizes safety, quality, and compliance in all hardware development activities.
• The company values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.