Approach Venture
Principal Electrical Engineer - Spacecraft
Approach Venture, Denver, Colorado, United States, 80285
Job Description
Principal Electrical Engineer
Help Build the World's First Reusable Satellite Platform!
Location:
Denver, CO | Onsite Opportunity Summary A well-funded startup at the forefront of space infrastructure is rethinking how we access and operate in orbit. This team is developing a reusable satellite platform capable of controlled reentry and recovery, unlocking new mission possibilities for defense, R&D, in-space manufacturing, and more. As a Principal Electrical Engineer, you will lead the end-to-end development of spacecraft power and avionics systems, working hands-on with embedded firmware, radiation-tolerant designs, and system-level architecture. This is a rare opportunity to own mission-critical systems on a program that could redefine satellite design, use, and recovery. About Us We are an early-stage space startup designing and building the first satellite system that returns safely to Earth, transforming space from a one-way trip into a round-trip service. By separating payload development from the satellite platform and enabling high-cadence reuse, we address critical bottlenecks in space: long lead times and throwaway architecture. Our approach is already opening new mission profiles in national security, advanced materials research, and orbital manufacturing. Job Duties Design and implement spacecraft power distribution and energy storage systems Architect the electrical and avionics layout for modular and reusable satellite platforms Develop embedded firmware for power management and subsystem integration Select, evaluate, and integrate both off-the-shelf and custom electronics Drive PCB design for reliability in radiation-prone environments Lead system-level trade studies and technical reviews across teams Collaborate with mechanical and thermal engineers to meet mission constraints Qualify components and subsystems for spaceflight under tight timelines Support recruitment and team-building within the electrical group Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field 7+ years of engineering experience, especially in spacecraft power systems or high-reliability environments Strong background in embedded systems and firmware development (C / C++) Experience with board design, layout, and manufacturing for mission-critical systems Familiarity with system-level integration and debugging in flight-like conditions Hands-on experience with space-rated electronics and flight validation Ability to operate in fast-paced, hardware-first development environments Preferred Experience Master's degree in Electrical Engineering Experience with radiation-hardened or radiation-tolerant electronics Background in digital design or FPGA development Knowledge of standards such as SMC-S-016, EEE-INST-002, or similar Previous experience in early-stage aerospace or hardware startups Why Join Us Help pioneer a reusable satellite platform with real-world impact Shape a future where payloads are returned, analyzed, and iterated faster Join a team that values autonomy, speed, and technical ownership Collaborate with industry veterans from top aerospace companies Work in a dynamic environment with fast decision-making Enjoy equity participation in a high-growth venture Compensation Details $150,000 - $200,000
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Denver, CO | Onsite Opportunity Summary A well-funded startup at the forefront of space infrastructure is rethinking how we access and operate in orbit. This team is developing a reusable satellite platform capable of controlled reentry and recovery, unlocking new mission possibilities for defense, R&D, in-space manufacturing, and more. As a Principal Electrical Engineer, you will lead the end-to-end development of spacecraft power and avionics systems, working hands-on with embedded firmware, radiation-tolerant designs, and system-level architecture. This is a rare opportunity to own mission-critical systems on a program that could redefine satellite design, use, and recovery. About Us We are an early-stage space startup designing and building the first satellite system that returns safely to Earth, transforming space from a one-way trip into a round-trip service. By separating payload development from the satellite platform and enabling high-cadence reuse, we address critical bottlenecks in space: long lead times and throwaway architecture. Our approach is already opening new mission profiles in national security, advanced materials research, and orbital manufacturing. Job Duties Design and implement spacecraft power distribution and energy storage systems Architect the electrical and avionics layout for modular and reusable satellite platforms Develop embedded firmware for power management and subsystem integration Select, evaluate, and integrate both off-the-shelf and custom electronics Drive PCB design for reliability in radiation-prone environments Lead system-level trade studies and technical reviews across teams Collaborate with mechanical and thermal engineers to meet mission constraints Qualify components and subsystems for spaceflight under tight timelines Support recruitment and team-building within the electrical group Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field 7+ years of engineering experience, especially in spacecraft power systems or high-reliability environments Strong background in embedded systems and firmware development (C / C++) Experience with board design, layout, and manufacturing for mission-critical systems Familiarity with system-level integration and debugging in flight-like conditions Hands-on experience with space-rated electronics and flight validation Ability to operate in fast-paced, hardware-first development environments Preferred Experience Master's degree in Electrical Engineering Experience with radiation-hardened or radiation-tolerant electronics Background in digital design or FPGA development Knowledge of standards such as SMC-S-016, EEE-INST-002, or similar Previous experience in early-stage aerospace or hardware startups Why Join Us Help pioneer a reusable satellite platform with real-world impact Shape a future where payloads are returned, analyzed, and iterated faster Join a team that values autonomy, speed, and technical ownership Collaborate with industry veterans from top aerospace companies Work in a dynamic environment with fast decision-making Enjoy equity participation in a high-growth venture Compensation Details $150,000 - $200,000
#J-18808-Ljbffr