--- title: '[Phenix Space] Space Systems Engineer (Electronics & Embedded) at Cox Exponential' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/phenix-space-space-systems-engineer-electronics-embedded-cox-exponential-san-pj8qc42zgbs5' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-05' --- # [Phenix Space] Space Systems Engineer (Electronics & Embedded) at Cox Exponential - **Company:** Cox Exponential - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-01-16 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-05 - **Apply:** https://jobs.gem.com/cox-exponential/am9icG9zdDoDXxTeKIkYIn98v_LVGOr- ## Job description ## About Phenix Space Phenix Space is a venture backed startup building the upgradeable Space layer for Earth’s critical industries. We use robotics and physical AI to enable assembly of space assets unlocking enormous capabilities for individual satellites and making them upgradeable. Phenix Space enables evolution in orbit. ## About the Role Phenix Space is seeking a Space Systems Engineer to lead the development of space-rated robotics hardware. This role will focus on hardware design, embedded systems development, real-time control, and power-efficient computing for Phenix’s robotic module. You will work on system integration, power management, actuation, sensor fusion, and embedded software, ensuring that our robotic system meets space-grade performance, endurance, and autonomy requirements. This is an opportunity to develop cutting-edge robotics and embedded systems for next-generation space infrastructure. ## Key Responsibilities Prototype & Hardware Development - Design, develop, simulate, test and qualify space-ready PCBs and electrical systems for custom electronics, actuation, sensors, and power management. - Design, build, and iterate on the foldable robotic arm prototype, focusing on sensors, actuation, cabling, and power systems. - Transition from initial prototypes to space-ready designs, ensuring robustness and system scalability. System Integration & Embedded Systems - Develop and implement real-time control systems (HAL level) for robotic actuation and sensors. - Design power-efficient compute architectures, optimizing for radiation resistance and in-space power constraints. - Lead architectural decisions and system design. - Integrate buses & middleware: EtherCAT, CAN-FD, SPI/I2C, UART/RS-485 - Select and integrate space-grade components. Testing & Space-Readiness - Support reliability and environmental testing (thermal, vacuum, vibration) with third-party space-grade testing providers. - Iterate on flight-ready designs based on mechanical, thermal, and radiation test results. - Assist in developing space-grade manufacturing processes for Phenix’s robotic module. Supply Chain & Vendor Management - Work with key vendors and suppliers for critical robotic and space-qualified components. - Work with manufacturing partners to develop and source high-reliability actuators, sensors, and electronics. ## Qualifications - Master’s or PhD in electrical engineering, mechatronics, aerospace engineering, or equivalent work experience. - 1+ years of experience in space working with mechatronics, electrical engineering, or embedded systems development. - Hands-on experience designing and building electromechanical systems. - Strong expertise in embedded programming (C/C++) for real-time and safety-critical systems. - Understanding of EtherCAT, CAN, I2C, SPI, and low-level communication protocols. - Proficiency in power management, battery systems, and circuit design (PCB, microcontrollers, FPGAs, sensors) for space applications. - Familiarity with actuation systems, including motors, servos, and mechanical linkages. - Knowledge of thermal, vibration, and radiation testing for space applications. ## Preferred Qualifications - Background in space systems, satellite bus integration, or in-space robotics. - Experience with motors used in space systems and their thermal and radiation considerations. - Experience with shielding or radiation hardening circuits or components for space applications. - Familiarity with radiation-hardened processors and space-grade materials. - Hands-on experience in designing and testing radiation-resistant embedded systems for extreme environments. - Experience with FPGAs or ASICs-based designs. - [Bonus] Experience with optical systems (RGB, depth) for perception-based automation. - [Bonus] Experience with analog systems and related integrations. Why Join Us? - Develop a high-impact autonomous space robotics system with a world-class team. - Work in a highly autonomous manner. Your work will be wide-ranging with multiple cross-functional contributions. - Grow into a leader of a company, enabling revolutionary capabilities in next-generation space systems. - Work in a fast-moving, high-stakes engineering environment where your contributions will directly shape the future of space infrastructure. - Solve complex challenges in robotic actuation, space-rated computing, and AI-driven control. - Collaborate with leading experts in robotics, aerospace, and AI to push the boundaries of autonomous servicing technologies. ## About Cox Exponential ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Cox Exponential (CX2) is the early-stage AI venture vehicle for Cox Enterprises, partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs to build breakthrough AI/ML companies. - **Entity Type**: Private (venture capital / accelerator; part of Cox Enterprises) - **Headquarters**: Silicon Valley, California, United States (with remote presence and an international outlook) - **Founded**: 2025 - **Founders**: Founded by technologists with decades of experience leading startups and building AI/ML products; key executives include Managing Partner Radu B. Rusu, General Partners Pantelis Kalogiros, Yukiko Jenkins, and others. ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Venture Capital & Private Equity (AI-focused early-stage investing) - **Target customers**: B2B – exceptional entrepreneurs and early-stage AI companies seeking capital, mentorship, and access to the Cox family of businesses. - **Mission**: Develop breakthrough technology that helps people flourish and bring firsts to market. ## Products & Services Cox Exponential does not sell a product; it operates as an investment vehicle. Its main “offering” is its accelerator program and venture partnership: - **AI Accelerator & Venture Program**: Provides capital, technical mentorship, business planning, code/prototype development, and connection to the Cox Enterprises ecosystem. - **Portfolio Support**: Invests in and supports portfolio companies such as Spacer Robotics (autonomous rebar-tying robot), TrustMind, TrustFoundry.ai, and others. ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Funding**: Not publicly disclosed (backed by Cox Enterprises, a large private conglomerate). - **Key Metric**: Total employees ~20 (as of mid-2026); headcount grew ~144% year-over-year since founding in 2025. - **Notable Investors / Partners**: Cox Enterprises (parent); key executives from Scale Venture Partners, Fyusion, AGI House, etc. - **Growth Signals**: Rapid team expansion, active hiring for senior engineering roles (AI infra, robotics, efficient ML), multiple open remote positions. ## Competitive Advantages - **Cox Enterprises Backing**: Access to the breadth of a Fortune 500 company’s resources, industry connections, and potential pilot customers. - **Founder-Led by Technologists**: The team comprises experienced AI/ML startup builders, offering hands-on technical guidance to portfolio companies. - **Global Outlook**: Based in Silicon Valley with an international perspective, attracting talent from the US and Portugal. - **Early-Stage Focus**: Dedicated to pre-seed and seed AI startups, differentiating from larger, less specialized corporate venture arms. ## Strategic Focus - **Current priorities**: Scaling the accelerator, expanding portfolio companies, and building in-house AI infrastructure talent to support portfolio needs. - **Direction for growth**: Deepening ties with Cox business units, investing in frontier AI (LLMs, multimodal models, agentic RL, robotics), and hiring top-tier engineers to work on internal AI platforms and portfolio support. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Early-stage, high-autonomy environment within a stable corporate parent. Employees work on cutting-edge AI challenges across multiple portfolio companies. - **Remote/Hybrid**: Fully remote workspaces for many roles; some positions require in-office presence in San Francisco (e.g., robotics roles). The company has 8 locations but emphasizes remote flexibility. - **Notable Perks**: Opportunity to work on diverse AI/ML projects (LLMs, robotics, efficient ML systems), exposure to multiple startups, and a flat hierarchy with direct access to experienced partners. - **Engineering Culture**: Strong emphasis on technical excellence, with open roles for Founding Engineer (AI Infra), Research Scientist (Efficient ML), Robotics Software Engineer, and Systems Engineer. ## Sources 1. [LinkedIn – Exponential by Cox](https://linkedin.com/company/exponential-by-cox) 2. [Built In – Cox Exponential](https://builtin.com/company/cox-exponential) 3. [Built In – Cox Exponential Jobs](https://builtin.com/company/cox-exponential/jobs) 4. [The Org – Cox Exponential (CX2)](https://theorg.com/org/cox-exponential-cx2) 5. [RemoteFront – Remote Jobs at Cox Exponential](https://www.remotefront.com/companies/Cox%20Exponential) ## Other roles at Cox Exponential - [[ART Lab] Interaction Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/art-lab-interaction-designer-cox-exponential-san-mateo-dpsbv1pp6yzr) — San Mateo, CA - [Founding Engineer, AI Infra](https://feeny.ai/job/founding-engineer-ai-infra-cox-exponential-san-francisco-bay-area-fx5arytyxdwv) — San Francisco Bay Area, CA - [Senior Robotics Software Engineer at Spacer Robotics](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-robotics-software-engineer-at-spacer-robotics-cox-exponential-san-dm38kg1awaj1) — San Francisco, CA