Power Systems Engineer

Power Systems Engineer - Spacecraft Electrical Power Systems (EPS)

Catalyx Space is seeking a highly skilled Power Systems Engineer to lead the comprehensive design and development of spacecraft Electrical Power Systems (EPS). This pivotal role involves defining precise power budgets, architecting robust systems, creating detailed schematics, and ensuring the ultimate reliability and efficiency of the spacecraft's power subsystem. Your responsibilities will encompass the entire lifecycle of spacecraft power engineering, from initial conceptualization and procurement to integration, meticulous documentation, and critical in-orbit operations. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the power infrastructure of future space missions from our Ahmedabad, India location.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define satellite power budgets, meticulously considering mission profiles, subsystem requirements, and orbital parameters.
• Design, simulate, and develop advanced spacecraft EPS architectures, including solar array conditioning, sophisticated battery management systems (BMS), and efficient regulated/unregulated power buses.
• Create detailed schematics, design PCB layouts, and expertly select components for converters, regulators, and power distribution units.
• Perform in-depth power analysis, covering efficiency, thermal load management, redundancy strategies, and fault tolerance.
• Develop and validate critical algorithms for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and precise battery charge/discharge cycles.
• Conduct rigorous worst-case analysis, derating studies, and essential radiation tolerance assessments for all EPS components.
• Execute Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) to thoroughly assess reliability and proactively mitigate potential risks.
• Support component procurement by identifying, evaluating, and sourcing space-qualified or high-reliability parts.
• Seamlessly integrate and test EPS hardware with other vital spacecraft subsystems such as On-Board Computers (OBC), payloads, Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS), and communication systems.
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive documentation for EPS design, analysis, testing, and integration.
• Provide crucial support during in-orbit operations, actively monitoring battery health, solar panel performance, and bus stability.
• Collaborate closely with system engineering teams to optimize EPS performance for maximum reliability, minimal mass, and cost-effectiveness.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Power Systems, or a closely related field.
• 2–6 years of relevant experience in spacecraft EPS, power electronics, or aerospace hardware development.
• Strong foundational understanding of DC-DC converters, switching regulators, and battery management circuits.
• Hands-on experience with PCB design tools such as KiCad, Altium, or OrCAD, and proficiency in circuit simulation tools like LTspice or PLECS.
• Solid knowledge of space-grade power components, industry derating standards, and the effects of radiation on electronic components.
• Proficiency in power budget modeling and analysis using tools such as MATLAB or Python.
• Familiarity with various solar cell technologies, lithium-ion batteries, and essential power conditioning techniques.
• Experience testing hardware under simulated space environments, including Thermal Vacuum (TVAC), Electromagnetic Interference/Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC), and vibration testing.
• Demonstrated experience with FMECA and reliability analysis specifically for power systems.
• Excellent documentation and reporting skills.

Nice to Have (Preferred):

• Knowledge of spacecraft mission operations and on-orbit power management strategies.
• Familiarity with established standards like ECSS or NASA for spacecraft power systems.
• A background in designing fault-tolerant and redundant power system architectures.
• Prior hands-on experience in the development of Electrical Power Systems for small satellites or CubeSats.