Feeny
wardstone.space

Electrical Engineer - Avionics at wardstone.space (El Segundo, CA)

wardstone.space· El Segundo, CA· $100k–$160k·

Role details

Salary
$100k–$160k
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full-Time

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a hands-on Electrical Engineer to lead the development of high-reliability electronics for our interceptor prototypes and future VLEO satellites. You will own everything from board-level design to power systems, sensor integration, EMI/EMC, and flight hardware integration. Expect to work directly with founders, integrate components, run tests, and ship hardware that flies and intercepts targets. If you’re excited by high-stakes engineering, rapid prototyping, and pushing physics boundaries, we are going to get along great!

What You’ll Do

Electrical Design & Prototyping

  • Design, simulate, and develop PCBs for sensing, actuation, power, and avionics.
  • Own schematic capture, layout, DFM, component selection, and vendor interaction.
  • Develop high-reliability power systems (DC–DC, battery systems, protection circuits, transient management). Sensor and Actuator Solutions
  • Integrate IR cameras, Radar, IMUs, GNSS, rad-hard components, and electromechanical actuators.
  • Develop signal-conditioning circuits, sensor fusion interfaces, and low-latency sensing+actuation to enable the autopilot to control the vehicle. Flight Hardware & Harsh-Environment Design
  • Perform thermal, vibration, and shock analysis for >100km altitude environments.
  • Support hardware qualification: TVAC, vibe, EMI/EMC, and high-G ground testing. Embedded & System Integration
  • Collaborate closely with embedded software engineers on microcontroller architectures, drivers, and electrical-firmware interfaces.
  • Bring-up, debug, test, and iterate hardware in the lab using scopes, logic analyzers, DAQs, etc. Execution & Ownership
  • Write requirements, test plans, and documentation.
  • Take hardware from concept → prototype → test → flight-ready.
  • Rapid debugging and converging on functional+performant solutions.

Required Qualifications

  • B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
  • Strong experience with PCB design tools (KiCad, Altium, or similar).
  • Hands-on prototyping experience: soldering, rework, bring-up, rapid iteration.
  • Experience integrating sensors, mixed-signal electronics, or power systems.
  • Comfort with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and test equipment.
  • Strong fundamentals in circuit analysis, signal integrity, noise, grounding, and EMI/EMC.
  • Ability to own hardware end-to-end: design, build, test, debug, iterate.
  • US Person or Lawful Permanent Resident status required.

Nice to Haves

  • Experience with IR cameras, high-speed digital buses, or RF systems.
  • Background in aerospace, defense, robotics, autonomous systems, automotive, or satellites.
  • Knowledge of high-G design, radiation effects, or space-environment electronics.
  • Embedded firmware experience (C/C++, STM32/Teensy/PIC/ESP32, RTOS).
  • Familiarity with power systems, motor drives, or actuator control.
  • Experience with MIL-STD-461, DO-160, or NASA/ESA flight hardware standards.

Why work at wardstone.space

  • Mission-driven: Direct impact on national security and countering hypersonic threats.
  • Early-stage startup: Opportunity to shape the company’s technology and culture from the ground up.
  • Engineering focus: Roles span mechanical, electrical, avionics, propulsion, GNC, simulation, and sensing.
  • Compensation & equity: Competitive salaries ($100k–$160k for engineers) plus equity grants.
  • Location: El Segundo, CA — a growing aerospace startup hub near LA Air Force Base and Space Force facilities.
  • Work environment: Likely on-site/hybrid (El Segundo office); YC alumni culture with fast iteration and hands-on testing (e.g., Mojave flight tests).

Application questions