Capella Space
Senior Electrical Design Engineer (Clearance preferred)
Capella Space, Louisville, Colorado, United States, 80028
Senior Electrical Design Engineer (Clearance preferred)
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Pay found in job post Retrieved from the description.
Base pay range $130,000.00/yr - $163,400.00/yr
About Capella Space Capella Space is a pioneer in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite technology and space-based signal intelligence. We empower government, commercial, and research organizations around the world with high-resolution, timely Earth insights that drive better decisions – across defense and intelligence, disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, environmental protection, energy, and more. As a U.S.-based company, Capella designs, builds, and operates an advanced constellation of commercial SAR satellites in orbit today. Our satellites are backed by a fully automated tasking, collection, and delivery platform, delivering fast, reliable insights when and where our customers need them most. As a subsidiary of IonQ, a global leader in quantum computing, Capella is charting the future of Earth observation. Together, we’re on a mission to bring quantum computing to space – unlocking ultra-secure, encrypted uplink and downlink capabilities, reducing latency, and enabling powerful on‑orbit analytics. This visionary integration of advanced remote sensing and quantum technology will support customers with the highest level of data fidelity, security, and speed. Capella was named one of Fast Company’s 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space in 2023 and is a trusted partner of the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office, and allied government agencies worldwide. Built In recognized IonQ on three of its 2025 Best Places to Work lists.
What Makes Capella Unique At Capella, we don’t just imagine what’s possible – we build it. We’re a mission‑driven team fueled by curiosity, grit, and a shared commitment to redefining the limits of space innovation. Our environment is fast‑paced, rooted in humble collaboration. Every team member plays a critical role in shaping the future of our technology and our industry. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and help solve problems that others call impossible, we’re the place for you. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere, and we thrive on diverse perspectives that help us move faster, think deeper, and push the boundaries of innovation. Whether you’re new to the space industry or a seasoned expert, you’ll find a team that values creativity, integrity, and bold thinking. Join us as we build the future of SAR—and take quantum to space.
Why Join Us
You’ll ship real hardware to space—and own it end to end
You’ll work on small, highly‑skilled teams with immediate impact
You’ll grow in a culture that values mentorship, autonomy, and technical excellence
You’ll help shape the future of Earth observation with modern engineering
About the Role As an Electrical Hardware Design Engineer, you’ll take ownership of full‑cycle PCBA designs—from early concept to flight readiness. You will work cross‑functionally with RF, mechanical, software, and operations teams to bring high‑reliability, space‑ready electronics to life. You will present across disciplines to help facilitate ideas, product readiness and conduct reviews.
Role Responsibilities
Drive the full electrical design lifecycle for spaceflight hardware: schematic capture, layout, bring‑up, test, and manufacturing handoff
Develop robust analog/digital designs for mission‑critical systems under environmental and performance constraints
Participate and host collaborative cross‑disciplinary design reviews, sharing feedback and shaping solutions with a team of experienced engineers
Provide critical input to schedule planning and hardware requirements
Lead board‑level bring‑up and debugging, integrating firmware/software with embedded systems
Define test plans and verification strategies that meet flight readiness requirements
Play a key role in scaling up our manufacturing facility, bringing hardware from prototype to low‑volume production
Collaborate across teams—mechanical, RF, software, and systems—to ensure seamless integration
Mentor early‑career engineers, contributing to internal process improvements and elevating the overall quality of the team
Engage with external vendors and CMs, ensuring delivery quality, resolving DFM/DFT issues, and ensuring on‑time delivery
Contribute to failure analysis and root‑cause investigations across flight or test anomalies
What Success Looks Like
You consistently deliver flight‑quality hardware on schedule with minimal oversight
You proactively identify and articulate system‑level risks and drive mitigations early
You communicate across hardware/software and cross‑functional gaps with confidence and clarity
You make thoughtful trade‑offs in constrained environments and justify them with data
You show curiosity about advanced areas like architecture optimization or radiation mitigation—even if they’re outside your scope for now
Qualifications
6+ years of experience designing and debugging
Proficiency in Altium Designer (or similar ECAD tools)
Hands‑on experience with lab instruments (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power analyzers, etc.)
Solid understanding of digital buses (I2C, SPI, UART, RS422, CAN, USB, PCIe, Ethernet, etc.)
Familiarity with board bring‑up, test planning, and design verification workflows
Experience interacting with contract manufacturers, supporting DFM reviews, and resolving production issues
Strong documentation habits and organizational skills
Active security clearance preferred
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, refugee, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations as allowed by the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. Learn more about ITAR compliance.
Nice to Have
Experience designing for harsh environments (thermal, vacuum, vibration, etc.)
Familiarity with high‑speed design or impedance‑controlled layouts
Basic scripting or automation in Python or C for hardware test workflows
Exposure to radiation effects and mitigation in electronic design
Familiarity with EMI/EMC design practices and validation
Familiarity with satellite electrical systems engineering (propulsion, EPS, GNSS, ADCS, space robotics, etc.)
Compensation The annual salary range for this role is $130,000 - $163,400. The final job level and annual salary will be determined based on the education, qualification, knowledge, skills, ability, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibrated against relevant market data and internal team equity. Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Capella Space.
Benefits/Perks
We provide extensive medical coverage, including strong vision and dental plans, flexible spending accounts, and additional supplemental health options.
401K Plan to invest in your long‑term retirement goals
Parental Leave Program
Paid Flexible Time Off Policy
Lifestyle Spending Account
Commuter & Parking Benefits
Mental Health Resources
Monthly Phone Stipend
Furry friends? We’ve got you covered with a dog‑friendly work environment & pet insurance options
Equal Opportunity Statement Capella Space is an equal‑opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you need assistance or require an accommodation during the job application process, please notify recruiting@capellaspace.com.
To learn more about us, explore our site: https://www.capellaspace.com/ and follow us on
X
and
LinkedIn
to see our SAR imagery!
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
Pay found in job post Retrieved from the description.
Base pay range $130,000.00/yr - $163,400.00/yr
About Capella Space Capella Space is a pioneer in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite technology and space-based signal intelligence. We empower government, commercial, and research organizations around the world with high-resolution, timely Earth insights that drive better decisions – across defense and intelligence, disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, environmental protection, energy, and more. As a U.S.-based company, Capella designs, builds, and operates an advanced constellation of commercial SAR satellites in orbit today. Our satellites are backed by a fully automated tasking, collection, and delivery platform, delivering fast, reliable insights when and where our customers need them most. As a subsidiary of IonQ, a global leader in quantum computing, Capella is charting the future of Earth observation. Together, we’re on a mission to bring quantum computing to space – unlocking ultra-secure, encrypted uplink and downlink capabilities, reducing latency, and enabling powerful on‑orbit analytics. This visionary integration of advanced remote sensing and quantum technology will support customers with the highest level of data fidelity, security, and speed. Capella was named one of Fast Company’s 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space in 2023 and is a trusted partner of the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office, and allied government agencies worldwide. Built In recognized IonQ on three of its 2025 Best Places to Work lists.
What Makes Capella Unique At Capella, we don’t just imagine what’s possible – we build it. We’re a mission‑driven team fueled by curiosity, grit, and a shared commitment to redefining the limits of space innovation. Our environment is fast‑paced, rooted in humble collaboration. Every team member plays a critical role in shaping the future of our technology and our industry. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and help solve problems that others call impossible, we’re the place for you. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere, and we thrive on diverse perspectives that help us move faster, think deeper, and push the boundaries of innovation. Whether you’re new to the space industry or a seasoned expert, you’ll find a team that values creativity, integrity, and bold thinking. Join us as we build the future of SAR—and take quantum to space.
Why Join Us
You’ll ship real hardware to space—and own it end to end
You’ll work on small, highly‑skilled teams with immediate impact
You’ll grow in a culture that values mentorship, autonomy, and technical excellence
You’ll help shape the future of Earth observation with modern engineering
About the Role As an Electrical Hardware Design Engineer, you’ll take ownership of full‑cycle PCBA designs—from early concept to flight readiness. You will work cross‑functionally with RF, mechanical, software, and operations teams to bring high‑reliability, space‑ready electronics to life. You will present across disciplines to help facilitate ideas, product readiness and conduct reviews.
Role Responsibilities
Drive the full electrical design lifecycle for spaceflight hardware: schematic capture, layout, bring‑up, test, and manufacturing handoff
Develop robust analog/digital designs for mission‑critical systems under environmental and performance constraints
Participate and host collaborative cross‑disciplinary design reviews, sharing feedback and shaping solutions with a team of experienced engineers
Provide critical input to schedule planning and hardware requirements
Lead board‑level bring‑up and debugging, integrating firmware/software with embedded systems
Define test plans and verification strategies that meet flight readiness requirements
Play a key role in scaling up our manufacturing facility, bringing hardware from prototype to low‑volume production
Collaborate across teams—mechanical, RF, software, and systems—to ensure seamless integration
Mentor early‑career engineers, contributing to internal process improvements and elevating the overall quality of the team
Engage with external vendors and CMs, ensuring delivery quality, resolving DFM/DFT issues, and ensuring on‑time delivery
Contribute to failure analysis and root‑cause investigations across flight or test anomalies
What Success Looks Like
You consistently deliver flight‑quality hardware on schedule with minimal oversight
You proactively identify and articulate system‑level risks and drive mitigations early
You communicate across hardware/software and cross‑functional gaps with confidence and clarity
You make thoughtful trade‑offs in constrained environments and justify them with data
You show curiosity about advanced areas like architecture optimization or radiation mitigation—even if they’re outside your scope for now
Qualifications
6+ years of experience designing and debugging
Proficiency in Altium Designer (or similar ECAD tools)
Hands‑on experience with lab instruments (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power analyzers, etc.)
Solid understanding of digital buses (I2C, SPI, UART, RS422, CAN, USB, PCIe, Ethernet, etc.)
Familiarity with board bring‑up, test planning, and design verification workflows
Experience interacting with contract manufacturers, supporting DFM reviews, and resolving production issues
Strong documentation habits and organizational skills
Active security clearance preferred
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, refugee, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations as allowed by the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. Learn more about ITAR compliance.
Nice to Have
Experience designing for harsh environments (thermal, vacuum, vibration, etc.)
Familiarity with high‑speed design or impedance‑controlled layouts
Basic scripting or automation in Python or C for hardware test workflows
Exposure to radiation effects and mitigation in electronic design
Familiarity with EMI/EMC design practices and validation
Familiarity with satellite electrical systems engineering (propulsion, EPS, GNSS, ADCS, space robotics, etc.)
Compensation The annual salary range for this role is $130,000 - $163,400. The final job level and annual salary will be determined based on the education, qualification, knowledge, skills, ability, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibrated against relevant market data and internal team equity. Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Capella Space.
Benefits/Perks
We provide extensive medical coverage, including strong vision and dental plans, flexible spending accounts, and additional supplemental health options.
401K Plan to invest in your long‑term retirement goals
Parental Leave Program
Paid Flexible Time Off Policy
Lifestyle Spending Account
Commuter & Parking Benefits
Mental Health Resources
Monthly Phone Stipend
Furry friends? We’ve got you covered with a dog‑friendly work environment & pet insurance options
Equal Opportunity Statement Capella Space is an equal‑opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you need assistance or require an accommodation during the job application process, please notify recruiting@capellaspace.com.
To learn more about us, explore our site: https://www.capellaspace.com/ and follow us on
X
and
to see our SAR imagery!
#J-18808-Ljbffr