Electrical Engineer III – Spacecraft Programs; Avionics

Electrical Engineer III – Spacecraft Programs (Avionics)

Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high‑mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

We are seeking an experienced and technically driven Electrical Engineer III – Spacecraft Programs (Avionics) to lead avionics subsystem development for next‑generation Ranger spacecraft. In this role, you will drive spacecraft avionics architecture, subsystem requirements, electrical interface definition, integration planning, and hardware execution across complex spacecraft development programs.

You will serve as a key technical leader working closely with propulsion, power, RF communications, flight software, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), payload, mechanical, thermal, and systems engineering teams to develop robust, highly reliable avionics architectures supporting long‑duration, high‑mobility spacecraft missions. This position is ideal for an engineer who combines deep technical expertise with strong systems thinking and enjoys leading cross‑functional engineering efforts from concept through flight.

• Lead spacecraft avionics subsystem development across Ranger spacecraft programs from early architecture through integration, qualification, and flight readiness
• Derive avionics subsystem requirements from spacecraft‑ and mission‑level requirements while maintaining full requirements traceability throughout development
• Author and maintain spacecraft Electrical Interface Control Documents (EICDs) and coordinate subsystem Interface Control Documents (ICDs) across multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Define, manage, and validate spacecraft electrical interfaces across avionics, power, propulsion, RF communications, GNC, payload, and flight software subsystems
• Drive resolution of complex technical integration issues while maintaining spacecraft‑level electrical compatibility, redundancy, and operational integrity
• Perform make‑versus‑buy trade studies supporting avionics hardware architecture, component selection, and procurement strategies
• Manage avionics hardware development schedules, vendor coordination, hardware deliveries, and subsystem integration milestones
• Develop avionics integration and test (I&T) plans supporting subsystem verification, vehicle integration, environmental qualification, and flight readiness
• Support spacecraft assembly, integration, environmental testing, launch campaign activities, and mission readiness
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure avionics architectures support mission reliability, manufacturability, fault tolerance, and operational objectives
• Participate in major engineering reviews including System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), Test Readiness Review (TRR), and Flight Readiness Review (FRR)
• Lead anomaly investigations, troubleshooting, and root‑cause analysis efforts supporting spacecraft avionics throughout development and integration
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen avionics development processes, interface management, and system integration methodologies

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline
• 7+ years of experience developing and integrating spacecraft avionics subsystems or other complex aerospace electronics
• Demonstrated experience deriving subsystem requirements and defining spacecraft electrical interfaces
• Experience authoring spacecraft Electrical Interface Control Documents (EICDs) and coordinating Interface Control Documents (ICDs) across multidisciplinary teams
• Strong understanding of spacecraft electrical architectures and subsystem interactions across avionics, power, software, communications, propulsion, and payload systems
• Experience with spacecraft communication interfaces including RS‑422, RS‑485, LVDS, Space Wire, Gigabit Ethernet, discrete I/O, and related protocols
• Strong systems‑level engineering mindset…