Power Systems Engineer

About the Company

At AstroForge, our mission is to make space resources accessible on Earth. We mine asteroids to extract valuable minerals in space at a lower cost and smaller carbon footprint than current terrestrial mining methods. Along the way, we seek to leverage the technologies we build to provide additional value across other domains. We offer a unique opportunity to join an exciting team looking to expand humanity’s capabilities in space.

Job Description

As an Electrical Engineer focused on Power Systems at AstroForge, you will play a key role in designing and delivering reliable, high-efficiency spacecraft power electronics. You will collaborate across engineering disciplines to architect, build, and test the power systems that drive the first successful asteroid mining vehicle-from energy storage to distribution to conversion.

Responsibilities

• Own power subsystems end-to-end-from requirements definition and architecture through design, manufacturing, integration, and in-flight operations
• Design DC/DC converters, power distribution units (PDUs), battery management systems (BMS), and solar array interfaces for high-reliability space applications
• Model and simulate power system performance under nominal and fault conditions using tools such as LTspice, PLECS, or MATLAB/Simulink
• Conduct PCB-level design and layout for power electronics with thermal, radiation, and EMI/EMC constraints in mind
• Drive root-cause analysis and troubleshooting of power-related issues in spacecraft and ground systems
• Develop test plans and automate validation for high-voltage and high-current systems
• Work with systems, mechanical, software, and GNC teams to ensure power architecture supports mission-level goals and spacecraft performance
• Contribute to avionics team best practices, including documentation, design reviews, and hardware bring-up processes

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
• Experience designing and testing power electronics (DC/DC, power conversion, energy storage, etc.)
• Familiarity with power systems modeling and simulation tools
• Proficiency with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, electronic loads, power analyzers, and logic analyzers
• Experience with electrical CAD tools (Altium, KiCad, OrCAD, etc.)
• Strong organizational and time-management skills in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to work extended hours when required to support critical milestones
• Ability to work onsite in Seal Beach, CA

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 3+ years of experience in power electronics for aerospace, automotive, or other high-reliability systems
• Experience with space-rated power architectures and understanding of spacecraft energy budgets
• Familiarity with battery chemistries (Li-ion, LiFePO4, etc.) and charging algorithms
• Knowledge of fault protection, redundancy, and reliability in power systems
• Hands-on experience bringing up and debugging high-power boards and systems
• Understanding of EMI/EMC compliance and mitigation strategies
• Comfort writing test scripts and automating lab workflows (Python preferred)
• Experience with wire harness design and integration for power-heavy systems

Benefits

• 100% paid medical, dental, and life insurance coverage
• Vision and FSA benefits available
• 3 weeks of PTO + 1 week of sick time
• 10 paid holidays
• Retirement savings plan - 401(k), with company match
• Equity on the ground floor of a startup

Salary

• Level I: $94,000 - $121,500
• Level II: $118,000 - $142,500
• Level III: $138,000 - $171,500
• Level IV: $168,000 - $185,500

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Government.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.