Principal Hardware Engineer

WHO ARE WE?

Sateliot is a Barcelona-based Startup in the New Space sector, becoming the first satellite telecommunications operator that will provide global and continuous connectivity to all the elements that will make up the massive Internet of Things (IoT) universe under the 5G protocol.

In order to do so, Sateliot is launching a constellation of last generation nanosatellites, located at low altitude that act as mobile towers. Sateliot is the perfect complement for large telecommunications companies by providing them with the necessary infrastructure where terrestrial technologies do not arrive.

YOUR MISSION

Sateliot is seeking a Principal Hardware Engineer to lead the design and delivery of advanced digital flight electronics for LEO satellite systems, spanning a heterogeneous architecture of high-performance processors, FPGAs, and ASIC-based subsystems.

This role requires deep expertise in designing complex, high-speed digital PCBs that integrate multi-gigabit data transport, dense memory architectures, and tightly coupled FPGA–CPU–ASIC processing chains.

The successful candidate will own the complete hardware lifecycle — from concept and schematic design through qualification and scaled manufacturing — delivering reliable COTS-based electronics capable of operating in the LEO radiation and thermal environment.

This is a hands-on leadership position at the intersection of high-speed digital engineering, space reliability, and satellite production at scale.

YOUR MAIN FUNCTIONS

Digital Hardware Architecture & Platform Ownership

• Own the board-level architecture of digital electronics platforms built around an equal mix of:

  • Embedded processors / SoCs

  • High-performance FPGAs

  • Custom or semi-custom ASIC-based payload functions

• Define system partitioning, compute interconnects, memory hierarchy, and high-rate data movement across the full platform.

• Lead design trade-offs balancing throughput, radiation robustness, power, mass, and manufacturability.

High-Speed Digital Electronics & Interface Design

• Design and support flight hardware incorporating advanced high-speed interfaces, including:

  • JESD204 multi-lane converter interfaces

  • PCI Express (PCIe) for high-throughput expansion and payload connectivity

  • USB 3.x for integration, debug, and ground test

  • 10G Ethernet / Multi-gigabit SERDES links for onboard data transport

  • AXI4 / AXI4-Stream fabrics enabling processor–FPGA–ASIC internal data movement

  • Space-oriented buses such as SpaceWire, LVDS, CAN-FD, as applicable

• Ensure robust signal integrity and timing closure across multi-gigabit designs.

Processor, FPGA, and ASIC Integration Leadership

• Oversee complex digital integration challenges including:

  • FPGA configuration and boot architectures

  • Processor + accelerator subsystem connectivity

  • ASIC interface requirements and board-level implementation

  • DDR memory routing, calibration, and validation

  • Clocking architectures, jitter control, and synchronization

• Drive system-level reliability and determinism across mixed compute domains.

Space Radiation Environment & Mitigation (LEO)

• Design electronics for reliable operation in the LEO radiation environment, mitigating:

  • Single Event Upsets (SEU)

  • Single Event Latch-up (SEL)

  • Total Ionizing Dose (TID)

• Apply radiation-tolerant COTS approaches such as:

  • Component derating and selection strategy

  • EDAC-protected memory and scrubbing

  • Watchdog and safe-state resilience architectures

  • Hardware-level redundancy and fault containment

  • SEL protection and power domain isolation

Full Engineering Lifecycle Ownership (Concept → Flight)

• Lead complete lifecycle development of satellite flight electronics, including:

  • Requirements definition and design trade studies

  • Schematic design and design reviews

  • Prototype bring-up and lab debugging

  • Qualification and acceptance testing

  • Flight support through AIT and mission operations

• Maintain ownership through multiple iterations toward flight maturity.

Manufacturing & Production Scaling (Hundreds of Units)

• Liaise closely with PCB layout engineers to ensure correct execution of:

  • High-speed constraints

  • Stackup design

  • Return path control

  • EMI/EMC grounding strategy

  • Manufacturable routing practices

• Manage external fabrication and assembly partners.

• Drive Design-for-Manufacture (DFM) and Design-for-Test (DFT) for production volumes of several hundred flight boards.

• Ensure repeatability, yield, and quality processes appropriate for constellation-scale deployment.

Qualification, Verification & Test Campaigns

• Define and execute qualification and acceptance plans including:

  • Thermal vacuum cycling

  • Random vibration and shock survivability

  • EMC/EMI compliance

  • Radiation test planning when applicable

  • Functional and environmental stress screening

• Support satellite-level AIT and anomaly resolution across hardware programs.

Cross-Functional Technical Leadership

• Serve as technical authority for digital avionics and payload electronics.

• Collaborate across disciplines including:

  • Embedded software

  • FPGA design teams

  • ASIC partners

  • Systems engineering

  • Mechanical/thermal teams

  • Production and supplier quality

• Mentor engineers and establish best practices for flight digital design.
  

REQUIREMENTS

General

• MSc or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• 10+ years designing high-speed digital hardware for aerospace, telecom, or high-reliability embedded systems.

• Demonstrated success delivering boards integrating processors, FPGAs, ASICs, and high-speed memory.

• Strong end-to-end ownership across design, test, qualification, and manufacturing.

Tools & Technical Competencies

• PCB design suites: Altium Designer, Cadence, Mentor

• Signal/Power Integrity analysis tools

• Lab debug expertise: high-speed scopes, logic analyzers, JTAG

• Understanding of SERDES, DDR validation, and clock distribution best practices

Personal Attributes

• Physics-driven problem solver with strong first-principles mindset

• Comfortable owning complex mixed-domain compute electronics end-to-end

• Strong communication across suppliers and internal teams

• High accountability in delivering flight-critical hardware

NICE TO HAVE

• Flight electronics experience in NewSpace or radiation-exposed environments.

• Familiarity with ECSS/NASA qualification flows.

• Knowledge of FPGA-based payload processing and accelerator architectures.

• Experience scaling avionics production for constellation deployment.
  

WHAT YOU'LL FIND WHEN WORKING AT SATELIOT:

You will be part of one the fastest-growing start-ups in Spain with global reach along getting into the challenging world of New Space & Telecommunication.

Our culture is based on embracing openness by welcoming multicultural talent, being respectful with everybody and being open to exchange ideas. We are also committed to a healthy lifestyle by helping our team balance their work and personal life and also by providing them facilities for healthy habits.

We are a driven team with big goals, that seek for people who are genuinely passionate about their work and that also want to keep learning and getting better personally and professionally

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

• Full time permanent Contract 

• Hybrid Work Model

• Schedule flexibility 

• Flat and transparent organizational structure

• Buddy Program to help you with your integration during your first month

• Flexible compensation package: Tax benefits with ticket restaurant, transportation and kindergarten, training programs.

• We promote good physical and mental health, with a Health insurance, Fresh fruit in the office and the possibility of sharing the cost of bicycle transport or gyms.

• Work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary and multicultural environment that will allow you to boost your professional career

• To be part of a strong, international, friendly and motivated team, where you can progress both personal and professionally

• The chance to be part of one of the most exciting and disruptive space projects in Europe