Senior Electrical Engineer

LTA Research and Exploration, an aerospace start-up, is seeking a motivated Electrical Engineer to help build an experimental 'lighter than air' flight vehicle. You will work within a dynamic engineering and design team to conceptualize, rapidly prototype, test and implement innovative solutions for the design, fabrication, and assembly of an all-electric airship. We believe in fast-cycle development and approach to flight hardware development with the motto "build a little, test a little, learn a lot". This unique position allows for hand-on participation through all phases of development, from concept to flight of an experimental flight vehicle in collaboration with firmware, mechanical and system teams.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Electrical Engineer to help design, build, and testing and integration of the electrical systems within our lighter than air flight vehicles.

Responsibilities:

• Own PCB design process including schematic and layout to comply with creepage and clearance rules, high voltage safety concerns, high speed signal integrity requirements, low noise analog design best practices, EMC/EMI regulations, and thermal and mechanical design requirements
• Produce completed design packages for PCBAs including BOM, clear schematic capture, annotation, and mechanical assembly/drill/conformal coat drawings for manufacturing
• Develop, simulate, and perform tests related to functional performance, regulatory compliance, and reliability
• Design, build, and test of necessary electrical subsystems for the flight vehicle (interface circuit boards, data acquisition boards, pre-charge circuits, etc.)
• Integration of the manufactured hardware into the electrical systems
• Participate in testing of the integrated electrical systems, including bring up process, debugging the com lines and checking the signal integrity, etc.
• Collaborate with mechanical and software engineering teams to successfully design, build, and validate the developed systems
• Reading electrical drawings and schematics and help with the integration process

Skills/Qualifications:

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering
• Hands-on experience in Electronics/ Power electronics
• Proficiency with basic EE tools (Oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.)
• Proficient at reading schematics and troubleshooting analog and digital circuits
• Experience in PCBA design (Altium preferred)
• Familiar with EMI/EMC standards and electrical signal integrity
• Working knowledge of analog and digital electronics

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:

• Knowledge of basic control theory and experience with embedded programming
• Experience in implementing different automotive and aerospace communication protocols (CAN, RS232, RS422, RS485, etc.)
• Experience in design and build of power electronics converters (buck, boost, flyback, etc.)
• History of start to finish ownership of hardware (design, prototype, and validation)
• Experience in development of digital and analog interfaces for PC-based systems, especially (Labview, Matlab, Python)
• Experience using harness design tools and proficiency in reading schematics and drawings
• Knowledge of reliability and safety requirements for aerospace applications
• Experience in designing and preforming environmental test per DO-160
• Awareness of certification requirements for electrical systems in aerospace industry

What We Offer:

• Relocation assistance
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan (100% premium paid for individuals, ~70% for dependents)
• Company-paid life, AD&D, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurances
• Parental leave
• Generous PTO + 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) matching up to 6%
• Lunch and snacks provided every day, including accommodations for all dietary restrictions
• Monthly wellness stipend
• Monthly cell phone stipend
• Yearly education stipend to obtain certifications or take classes in your field
• Mental health benefit
• Fun events, swag, and the occasional airship ride
• An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and the most talented experts from different fields

Compliance Requirements:

• Criminal background check clearance
• Drug test clearance wherever applicable

$150,000 - $215,000 a year

The base salary range for this role is $150,000-215,000, which is determined based on experience, geography, and qualifications. The base salary is one component of the total compensation package, which includes a very competitive annual bonus, 401K Match, and other generous benefits. While we believe competitive compensation is a critical aspect of your decision to join us, we do hope you also spend time considering why our mission and culture are right for you.

LTA Research & Exploration welcomes all candidates to apply including those with limited experience. We understand that candidates with a growth mindset and passion for working on the next chapter in aviation advancement can outweigh experience alone. We celebrate diverse origins and journeys and understand their importance in developing new technology. Rooted in our humanitarian mission, we want to serve the entire globe and have a team that represents those we wish to serve.