Lead Power Systems Engineer

Lead Power Systems Engineer - Relocation to Southern California

Job Description

As the Lead Power Systems Engineer, you will own the end-to-end architecture, design, and qualification of the power systems for a next-generation planetary rover. You will lead the development of flight-critical power electronics-from solar input and battery management through regulated power distribution and fault protection-enabling ambitious missions on distant planetary bodies. This highly hands-on high level role is ideal for a seasoned power electronics engineer who thrives in a fast-paced, startup environment and wants to make mission-critical design decisions that will shape an entire rover system.

Responsibilities

• Own the complete vehicle power system architecture from a clean sheet concept through flight, defining how power flows through the entire rover and associated ground support equipment.
• Develop system-level power requirements, use cases, and integration strategies for solar power conversion, battery management systems, power distribution, load management, and voltage regulation.
• Design and implement complex power and analog PCBAs, including power converters, regulators, distribution boards, and battery interface boards.
• Perform schematic capture and PCB layout for power and analog circuits using Altium Designer, ensuring robust, manufacturable designs for flight hardware.
• Conduct detailed design analyses, including power budgeting, size and mass trade studies, Monte Carlo tolerance analysis, and reliability assessments.
• Plan and execute PCBA design verification testing, qualification testing, and system integration testing to validate performance and reliability under expected operating conditions.
• Bring boards into the lab to test under load, debug issues, and iterate designs based on test results and validation findings.
• Lead cross-functional design reviews with interdisciplinary teams, clearly communicating design decisions, tradeoffs, and test outcomes.
• Support manufacturing, system integration, and flight operations by providing technical guidance, troubleshooting hardware issues, and ensuring power system readiness for mission use.
• Collaborate closely with avionics, mechanical, software, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of power electronics into the rover and ground support equipment.
• Maintain ownership of the power subsystem throughout the product lifecycle, from ideation and prototyping through production and mission operations.
• Contribute to a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement within the avionics and power systems engineering teams.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or an equivalent technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in power electronics design, including schematic capture, PCB layout, and hardware testing.
• Deep expertise in solar power conversion, voltage regulation, load management, fault protection, and power transmission.
• Strong experience in analog instrumentation and digital circuits as they relate to power systems.
• Proven ability to design and lay out complex PCBAs for power and analog applications.
• Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout tools, specifically Altium Designer.
• Skilled in performing circuit analyses using SPICE and Excel to evaluate performance, tolerances, and reliability.
• Hands-on proficiency with electronic lab equipment, including power supplies, oscilloscopes, digital multimeters (DMMs), signal generators, and soldering equipment.
• Demonstrated success working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a high degree of ownership and autonomy.
• Experience owning or leading power subsystems for complex hardware systems such as satellites, rovers, space vehicles, or comparable platforms.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience owning the power subsystem on spacecraft, planetary rovers, or other mission-critical hardware systems.
• Experience in power system-level engineering, including solar power generation, energy storage, and battery management.
• Track record of taking power electronics from concept through production, including product ownership and lifecycle support.
• Familiarity with system-level design tools and documentation practices, including the use of tools such as Microsoft Visio for block diagrams and architecture documentation.
• Experience with battery management systems and battery interface hardware design.
• Exposure to qualification testing standards and processes for high-reliability or flight hardware.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a highly interdisciplinary engineering team and communicate complex technical concepts clearly.
• Comfort working in a startup environment where initiative, problem-solving, and adaptability are critical.

Work Environment

This role is based in a fast-paced, startup environment that values autonomy, initiative, and hands-on engineering. You will work on-site in a collaborative hardware lab and office setting, closely integrated with avionics, mechanical, software, and systems teams. The culture emphasizes scrappy problem-solving, rapid iteration, and mission focus, with opportunities to make impactful design decisions on hardware destined for planetary surfaces. You will regularly work with electronic lab equipment such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, DMMs, signal generators, and soldering tools, as well as modern PCB design software including Altium Designer and circuit simulation tools like SPICE. The environment is best suited for seasoned engineers who are comfortable with minimal hand-holding, end-to-end ownership of complex systems, and the demands of developing and qualifying flight-critical power hardware for space missions

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Houston, Texas.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $150000.00 - $243000.00/yr.

Full medical, dental, vision, and 401k

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Houston,Texas.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.