Principal Avionics Engineer
Astrolab
Other Engineering
hawthorne, ca, usa
USD 150k-240k / year + Equity
Posted on May 26, 2025
Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world-class team.
The Astrolab Avionics team is at the forefront of developing advanced, space-grade vehicle platforms for terrestrial applications. Our team brings deep knowledge and specialized expertise, covering everything from crucial power systems and command and data handling to precise motion control. This broad skill set enables us to produce the high-quality flight hardware essential for challenging missions across our solar system. Our engineers are involved in every step of a mission's journey, from concept development and implementation to integration & test, verification & validation, delivery, and ongoing operations.
The Astrolab Avionics team is at the forefront of developing advanced, space-grade vehicle platforms for terrestrial applications. Our team brings deep knowledge and specialized expertise, covering everything from crucial power systems and command and data handling to precise motion control. This broad skill set enables us to produce the high-quality flight hardware essential for challenging missions across our solar system. Our engineers are involved in every step of a mission's journey, from concept development and implementation to integration & test, verification & validation, delivery, and ongoing operations.
As a Principal Avionics Engineer, you will be instrumental in planning and executing the hardware design for highly complex, one-of-a-kind avionic systems tailored for terrestrial use. This comprehensive role involves performing in-depth trade studies, defining and managing avionic interface definitions and requirements, leading verification & validation (V&V) efforts, and analyzing system performance. You'll also serve as a key technical advisor, drawing upon your extensive experience and expertise.
- Department
- Avionics
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Hawthorne, California
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $150,000 - $240,000 / year
- Reporting To
- Dan Fuller
What you'll do:
- Lead the design, modeling, analysis, testing, and validation of avionic systems
- Define requirements to verify architectural integrity and designs
- Generate comprehensiRequires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a relevant technical discipline, typically complemented by a minimum of 9 years of progressive professional experience. Alternatively, a Master's degree with a minimum of 7 years, or a Ph.D. with at least 5 years of experience.
Advanced proficiency in several of these areas: Analog/Digital Electronics, Control Systems, Power Systems, Reliability Engineering, and Integration & Test
Strong understanding of motor control, power electronics, and system engineering principles
Fundamental understanding across core engineering disciplines, including electronics, electromagnetics, and computer hardware/software
Proven experience implementing closed-loop control methodologies for power, motor, and/or thermal systems using microcontrollers and/or FPGAs
Demonstrated expertise in electronic design, encompassing schematics, reliability analysis, board layout, manufacturing, and testing of modern space-grade avionics systems
Track record of innovation in creating new products, algorithms, and systems
Ability to excel both independently and collaboratively
Exceptional problem-solving skills
Strong organizational and documentation capabilities
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Recent hardware development experience in military, aerospace, or space domains
Proven experience in testbed or flight hardware testing
Familiarity with key design tools such as:
Altium Designer (electronics schematic capture and PCB layout)
LTSPICE and/or PSPICE (electronics design simulation)
Strong understanding of industry and academic standards for developing, testing, and integrating electronic assemblies for space applications
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and consistently meet schedule milestones
Experience in designing power conversion systems for harsh radiation environments and implementing mitigation strategies
ve documentation for hardware developments - Identify and resolve deficiencies in designs and prototypes
- Communicate complex architectures and designs to technical teams
- Collaborate effectively as a key team member, both internally and externally
- Contribute to defining optimal architectural design criteria and approaches, guiding technical implementations
- Stay current with emerging avionic technologies and industry advancements
What you'll bring:
- Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a relevant technical discipline, typically complemented by a minimum of 9 years of progressive professional experience. Alternatively, a Master's degree with a minimum of 7 years, or a Ph.D. with at least 5 years of experience
- Advanced proficiency in several of these areas: analog/digital dlectronics, control systems, power systems, reliability engineering, and integration and test
- Strong understanding of motor control, power electronics, and system engineering principles
- Fundamental understanding across core engineering disciplines, including electronics, electromagnetics, and computer hardware/software
- Proven experience implementing closed-loop control methodologies for power, motor, and/or thermal systems using microcontrollers and/or FPGAs
- Demonstrated expertise in electronic design, encompassing schematics, reliability analysis, board layout, manufacturing, and testing of modern space-grade avionics systems
- Track record of innovation in creating new products, algorithms, and systems
- Ability to excel both independently and collaboratively
- Exceptional problem-solving skills
- Strong organizational and documentation capabilities
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Recent hardware development experience in military, aerospace, or space domains
- Proven experience in testbed or flight hardware testing
- Familiarity with key design tools such as:
- Altium Designer (electronics schematic capture and PCB layout)
- LTSPICE and/or PSPICE (electronics design simulation)
- Strong understanding of industry and academic standards for developing, testing, and integrating electronic assemblies for space applications
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and consistently meet schedule milestones
- Experience in designing power conversion systems for harsh radiation environments and implementing mitigation strategies
Benefits and Perks
- Work with a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
- Ownership in the company
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) with matching
- Flexible time off and parental leave
- On-site snacks, beverages, and 2x weekly lunches
- Flexible work environment
About Astrolab
Having a strong, inclusive, and inspired team is essential to accomplishing our bold mission. Employees are our biggest asset, and we are deeply committed to them and our values. At Astrolab we…
Demonstrate and inspire trust. Interactions are direct, honest, and respectful. We are fair and transparent with what we do and why.
Thrive in balance. Balance gives us perspective and keeps us motivated and inspired. We commit to rewarding work and a fulfilling personal life.
Seek diverse perspectives. We ask questions, engage in productive debate and offer alternatives to ensure our solutions and products are robust and a reflection of our collective best.
Move with purpose. Quality and reliability are accomplished through efficient ideation and iteration. We act with a sense of urgency and deliver what we promise, always with the big picture in mind.
Make an impact. We intentionally move our community and industry into the future through our work, practices, and actions.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Application Review
Stage 2:
Recruiter Phone Interview
Stage 3:
Video Interviews
Stage 4:
On-site Interview
Astrolab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity, parental or pregnancy status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to careers@astrolab.space. We strive to remove unconscious and unnecessary barriers to build the best team. While we’ve outlined what an ideal candidate could look like, we know that you may bring something unanticipated and essential to the team. If you’re reading this and can see yourself contributing, please register below.
