Capella Space
Overview
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. Capella designs, builds, and operates an advanced constellation of commercial SAR satellites. 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. Capella is a subsidiary of IonQ, a global leader in quantum computing, charting the future of Earth observation, with a mission to bring quantum computing to space and enable on-orbit analytics. Capella Space has been recognized for its innovation and partnerships with government agencies and industry leaders.
What makes Capella unique: we build the future of SAR with a mission-driven, collaborative culture that values curiosity, integrity, and bold thinking. If you’re ready to solve problems others call impossible, this is the place for you.
About the Role
Electrical Hardware Design Engineer , you will own full-cycle PCBA designs—from 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 facilitate ideas, product readiness, and 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 contract manufacturers , ensuring delivery quality, resolving DFM/DFT issues, and 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
Qualifications
4+ 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 To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, Capella employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce
Nice to Have
Experience designing for harsh environments (thermal, vacuum, vibration) 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, Electrical Power System, GNSS, Attitude Determination and Control System, space robotics)
Compensation
The annual salary range for this role is $127,545 - $159,432. The final job level and salary will be determined based on the candidate's education, qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experience, location, and market data.
Benefits
Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Capella Space. We offer extensive medical coverage, 401K, parental leave, paid time off, lifestyle spending, commuter and parking benefits, mental health resources, monthly phone stipend, and pet-friendly options.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Capella Space is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. 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. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply, and we provide accommodations during the application process if needed. For assistance, 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
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. Capella designs, builds, and operates an advanced constellation of commercial SAR satellites. 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. Capella is a subsidiary of IonQ, a global leader in quantum computing, charting the future of Earth observation, with a mission to bring quantum computing to space and enable on-orbit analytics. Capella Space has been recognized for its innovation and partnerships with government agencies and industry leaders.
What makes Capella unique: we build the future of SAR with a mission-driven, collaborative culture that values curiosity, integrity, and bold thinking. If you’re ready to solve problems others call impossible, this is the place for you.
About the Role
Electrical Hardware Design Engineer , you will own full-cycle PCBA designs—from 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 facilitate ideas, product readiness, and 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 contract manufacturers , ensuring delivery quality, resolving DFM/DFT issues, and 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
Qualifications
4+ 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 To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, Capella employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce
Nice to Have
Experience designing for harsh environments (thermal, vacuum, vibration) 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, Electrical Power System, GNSS, Attitude Determination and Control System, space robotics)
Compensation
The annual salary range for this role is $127,545 - $159,432. The final job level and salary will be determined based on the candidate's education, qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experience, location, and market data.
Benefits
Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Capella Space. We offer extensive medical coverage, 401K, parental leave, paid time off, lifestyle spending, commuter and parking benefits, mental health resources, monthly phone stipend, and pet-friendly options.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Capella Space is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. 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. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply, and we provide accommodations during the application process if needed. For assistance, 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