Spacecraft Electrical Engineer

Oligo is building a manufacturing-in-the-loop foundation model to automate spacecraft design and production worldwide. Our approach allows customers to focus entirely on their own technology and mission objectives, while we handle everything, from design and manufacturing to launch and operations. Leveraging cutting edge AI-driven generative design and automated manufacturing, our ex-MIT, Harvard, and NASA JPL team work to create the most advanced payload-specific spacecraft at scale in weeks over months.

With world‑class advisors on our board, and fresh funding from top investors like Lux Capital, we’re always on the lookout for exceptional builders, fast learners, and ambitious engineers. Whether your passion lies in spacecraft systems, avionics, ML/AI, or advanced manufacturing, you’ll be collaborating across disciplines on real missions that fly, perform in orbit, and scale internationally.

We pair world-class AI/ML talent with top-tier satellite engineers under one roof to reimagine how space systems are built, starting from first principles. No bureaucracy. No legacy thinking.

If you think you’re a fit, we are extremely excited to meet you.

As a Spacecraft Electrical Engineer, you’ll be one of the primary architects of our flight systems — designing, integrating, and testing spacecraft in a small, highly capable team. You’ll bridge mechanical and electrical disciplines, drive systems-level decisions, and physically build what you design.

This role is ideal for someone who’s taken a spacecraft from paper to launch pad, understands how to move fast without cutting corners, and thrives in environments where creativity meets accountability.

What You'll Do

As a Spacecraft Electrical Engineer, you'll own significant parts of the spacecraft and help bridge the communication amongst the mechanical and electrical subsystems. You will be responsible for leading the systems engineering effort across the full life-cycle of the spacecraft. Your responsibilities will include:

Electrical Design & Development

• Own the architecture, design, build, test, and delivery of high-quality spacecraft electrical subsystems.

• Develop power, digital, analog, and mixed-signal hardware for flight and ground systems.

• Create schematics, PCB layouts, block diagrams, and subsystem-level requirements.

• Drive cradle-to-launch ownership: prototyping, board bring-up, debugging, environmental qualification, and flight acceptance.

• Ensure designs meet reliability, redundancy, and performance needs for mission-critical operations..

Hands-On Build, Test & Integration

• Work directly with flight hardware: assemble test setups, run electrical functional tests, and troubleshoot down to the component level.

• Support cable harnessing, power distribution, grounding schemes, and EMC-clean design practices.

• Run environmental testing campaigns (TVAC, vibe, shock, EMI/EMC), analyze results, and implement fixes.

• Collaborate during spacecraft integration, activation, and final launch-vehicle prep.

• Support build, integration, and test campaigns, including fit checks, TVAC, vibration, and EMI/EMC testing.

Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

• Work side-by-side with software, mechanical, GNC, and systems teams to create tightly integrated, reliable spacecraft.

• Interface with mechanical engineering for enclosure design, thermal considerations, connector placement, and harness routing.

• Partner with software teams on firmware interfaces, test automation, and embedded system behavior.

• Produce engineering documentation, ICDs, and participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR).

Fabrication & Rapid Prototyping

• Assemble prototypes, harnesses, and test support hardware using lab equipment, hand tools, and rework stations.

• Coordinate with machining and fabrication teams to support enclosure builds, PCB mounting solutions, and mechanical-electrical integration hardware.

What You'll Bring

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience designing, building, integrating, and testing spacecraft electrical systems.

• Demonstrated hands-on ownership of flight electronics from concept through launch (strongly preferred).

• Experience with schematic capture, PCB layout, and electrical analysis tools.

• Experience with full spacecraft development cycle (from concept to launch).

• Comfortable working with mechanical and software engineers; strong understanding of cross-disciplinary constraints.

• Knowledge of grounding, filtering, power distribution, harness design, EMC mitigation, and signal integrity.

• Proficiency in test instrumentation (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies, DMMs) and lab debugging workflows.

• Familiarity with software configuration and workflow tools (Git, GitLab, Jira).

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clean documentation.

• Ability to lift 40 lbs. as needed during integration activities.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline.

• Programming experience in C, C++, or Python (big plus).

• Background in mechanical CAD, harness routing, or 3D wire-bundle design.

• Experience with environmental testing (TVAC, vibe, shock, EMI/EMC).

• Understanding of radiation effects and mitigation strategies for space electronics.

• Cleanroom or flight-hardware integration experience.

• Familiarity with system engineering tools (Flow engineering, JIRA, JAMA, DOORS).

• Experience supporting launch vehicle integration or mission-readiness milestones.

• Prior technical leadership, mentorship, or team-lead experience.

• Willingness to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission-critical deadlines.

Pay Range

• Salary range: $120,000 - $164,000 / per year.

• This role is on-site in Hawthorne, CA

Benefits

• Equity

• Unlimited PTO

• Medical (Platinum coverage), Vision, & Dental Insurance

• Catering provided on-site everyday.