Kapta Space · 3 weeks ago
Electrical Engineer – Spaceborne Radar Systems
Seattle, WA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
5+ years expKapta Space is a VC-funded early-stage startup in Seattle, WA, focused on innovative Geospatial Intelligence solutions. The Electrical Engineer will design and develop electronic subsystems for spaceborne radar systems, collaborating across disciplines to deliver reliable hardware for challenging environments.
Responsibilities
Support the definition, design, and implementation of electrical subsystem architectures for electronically-steered radar, including power systems, mixed-signal electronics, digital control boards, RF front-end interfaces, and embedded processing circuitry
Execute full product lifecycle activities: requirements development, detailed design, schematic capture, PCB layout collaboration, prototype build, bring-up, debug, and qualification
Perform hands-on bench testing, characterization, and root-cause analysis across power, digital, and mixed-signal circuits, using standard lab instrumentation
Develop and execute environmental and functional test plans to ensure hardware reliability in thermal-vacuum, vibration/shock, EMI/EMC, and radiation environments
Create and maintain engineering documentation including schematics, BOMs, test procedures, configuration records, and integration guides
Collaborate closely with systems engineering, RF/antenna, mechanical/thermal, software/firmware, and manufacturing partners to ensure seamless integration and robust hardware-software performance
Support manufacturability and cost-efficient production through DFX principles and NPI handoff to production partners
Engage with suppliers, fabrication partners, and subcontractors throughout the product development lifecycle
Qualification
Required
BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline
5+ years of hands-on experience designing, building, and testing electronic systems (power electronics, mixed-signal, digital, or RF-adjacent)
Proficiency with schematic design tools and familiarity with PCB layout workflows
Strong understanding of EMI/EMC fundamentals, grounding, signal integrity, power integrity, and high-reliability design practices
Experience performing bench-level bring-up and debug using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies, signal generators, and related equipment
Demonstrated ability to support hardware through environmental qualification (thermal, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, TVAC, etc.) or willingness to learn quickly
Ability to work cross-functionally on multi-disciplinary hardware teams in a fast-moving startup environment
Excellent communication skills, with ability to clearly present technical findings and collaborate effectively across engineering functions
Must be eligible to obtain and hold a US DoD security clearance
U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required
Preferred
Experience with electronically-steered or phased-array radar systems, mixed-signal analog front ends, or RF/antenna electronics
Familiarity with radiation-tolerant design, COTS-to-space conversion strategies, and component-level derating approaches for LEO environments
Experience with high-speed digital design, DDR interfaces, FPGA/SoC power architectures, or precision timing/synchronization circuitry
Familiarity with modeling and simulation tools for signal integrity, power integrity, RF, or thermal/structural analysis
Experience qualifying hardware for space, defense, or other high-reliability environments
Exposure to manufacturing scaling, DFM for electronics, or lean hardware development practices
Experience coordinating with global suppliers, electronics manufacturers, and specialized test facilities
Company
Kapta Space
Low Cost Advanced Spaceborne Electronically Steered Arrays (ESA) to finally deliver on the Promise of Spaceborne Radar careers@kaptaspace.com
Founded in 2023Seattle, WA, US
2-10 employeesFunding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase