Senior Electrical Engineer
Rainmaker · El Segundo, CA · onsite
USD 120,000 to 160,000 · period not stated
What You'll Do:
- System Design: Lead the architecture and design of complex electrical systems for hardware platforms, defining system-level requirements, interface specifications, and integration strategies.
- Rapid Hardware Prototyping: Design and build functional prototypes for hardware subsystems, iterating quickly based on test feedback and mission requirements.
- PCB Design: Create schematic and layouts for power distribution, sensor interfaces, payload controllers and communication modules using Altium.
- Board Bringup and Testing: Assemble, debug, and validate new PCBs; develop test procedures and fixtures to verify functionality and reliability under flight conditions.
- Documentation: Write technical documentation, prepare fabrication and assembly data for manufacturers.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams: Mechanical engineers, software engineers, research and manufacturing
What We're Looking For:
- Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or significant demonstrated technical ability and professional experience (6+ years of industry work in a related electronics field)
- 4+ years of professional PCB design experience with Altium (or equivalent), including products developed with digital, mixed-signal, and analog front-end designs.
- Proven track record leading hardware designs from concept through manufacturing, including DFM/DFT and working directly with contract manufacturers.
- Deep experience with embedded platforms and microcontrollers (Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson, STM32, ESP32, RP2040).
- Experience with high-speed digital design, power integrity, signal integrity, and EMI/EMC considerations.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and lead technical reviews
- Embedded programming experience (C++, C, Rust, or Python), including board bring-up, debugging, and low-level driver development for sensors, communication interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN), and real-time control loops.
What Will Set You Apart:
- Experience designing PCBs and electrical systems capable of sustaining 10kW loads.
- Experience bringing UAV electrical systems from concept through flight test and production
- Experience designing power electronics, including BLDC motor controllers, ESCs, and battery management systems (BMS)
- Familiarity with flight controllers such as Pixhawk, ArduPilot, or custom autopilot hardware
- Hands-on experience with lithium polymer (LiPo), lithium-ion, and solid-state battery integration and safety
- Knowledge of RF systems, including datalinks, telemetry radios, SATCOM, and antenna integration