Principal Electrical Engineer I - FlatSat Lead

We are seeking a FlatSat Lead to architect, build, and manage our FlatSat infrastructure. This role owns the planning, execution, and continuous evolution of a system that mirrors the spacecraft and integrates flight hardware, flight software, ground systems, and GSE into a complete mission representation.

The FlatSat Lead will be responsible for technical direction, configuration control, infrastructure development, and cross-functional coordination to ensure the FlatSat enables rapid development, risk reduction, and mission success.

Your work will have a direct impact on the success of the company. You will work closely with the engineering team, program management to ensure the successful build and launch of our satellite. Element will be the largest, most powerful rideshare satellite in LEO.

We’re launching eight of them in the next four years, starting with our first launch this year. Together, our small team will design, build, and iterate to reduce mass and cost while increasing performance, reliability, and manufacturability of a new generation of satellites. Let’s build!

We are seeking a FlatSat Lead to architect, build, and manage our FlatSat infrastructure. This role owns the planning, execution, and continuous evolution of a system that mirrors the spacecraft and integrates flight hardware, flight software, ground systems, and GSE into a complete mission representation.

The FlatSat Lead will be responsible for technical direction, configuration control, infrastructure development, and cross-functional coordination to ensure the FlatSat enables rapid development, risk reduction, and mission success.

Your work will have a direct impact on the success of the company. You will work closely with the engineering team, program management to ensure the successful build and launch of our satellite. Element will be the largest, most powerful rideshare satellite in LEO.

We’re launching eight of them in the next four years, starting with our first launch this year. Together, our small team will design, build, and iterate to reduce mass and cost while increasing performance, reliability, and manufacturability of a new generation of satellites. Let’s build!

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field

• 9 years of experience in spacecraft integration, systems engineering, or hardware/software test environments

• Hands-on experience working with satellite subsystems and avionics

• Strong understanding of spacecraft power, communications, command & data handling, and ground interfaces

• Experience designing or supporting hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or integration testbeds

• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and system diagrams

• Proven ability to operate in fast-paced, evolving technical environments
• Experience leading integration efforts for small satellite or spacecraft programs

• Familiarity with flatsat or spacecraft system test campaigns, including Hardware-in-the-Loop labs (HIL/HWIL)

• Experience supporting environmental test or mission rehearsals

• Background in high-reliability or mission-critical systems
• Define the architecture, configuration, and roadmap for the FlatSat environment

• Develop system-level integration plans covering flight hardware, avionics, software, and ground interfaces

• Ensure the FlatSat accurately represents mission configuration and operational scenarios

• Establish infrastructure to support full mission simulations and end-to-end testing

• Design and sometimes personally build custom Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and test interfaces

• Oversee mechanical, electrical, and network integration of FlatSat hardware

• Define power, communications, data handling, and environmental support architecture

• Ensure maintainability, scalability, and reliability of the FlatSat system

• Coordinate across flight software, hardware, RF, payload, and ground teams

• Enable regression testing, mission rehearsals, anomaly reproduction, and validation testing

• Drive configuration management and documentation discipline

• Establish procedures for safe operations, access control, and hardware handling

• Manage upgrades and configuration changes as flight hardware evolves

• Support design reviews, test readiness reviews, and mission readiness reviews