Darwin Recruitment are currently hiring for a Senior Power Electronics Engineer on behalf of a company in Italy for the largest privately-owned space company in the country, specializing in the development of small satellites, advanced propulsion systems, and onboard avionics. With over 350 employees, the company offers turnkey solutions for Earth observation, telecommunications, and scientific missions. The companies vertically integrated operations encompass the design, development, and production of small satellites ranging from 50 to 500 kg, electric propulsion systems, Earth observation instruments, and avionics. The company has participated in various space missions, including NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission, which deployed the Curiosity rover on Mars.

The Senior Power Electronics Engineer will have the task of design power electronic hardware for space applications, in accordance to customer requirements and applicable standards (such as ECSS), supported by analysis (for instance PSA, WCA, FMEA, thermal-structure, etc). The design activity has to be conducted in multidisciplinary team in a scenario where requirements are all closely related to each other, and technical compromises have to be readily identified.

Responsibilities

* Work with multidisciplinary teams of design, test, and production engineers to develop critical power electronics hardware products for harsh environments

* Spacecraft electrical power systems, radiation effects, and EMI/EMC compatibility

* Share expertise in one or more of the following specific areas: high voltage supplies, electric propulsion systems, digital control techniques, solar based power systems

* Thermal management of power electronics systems in deep-space conditions

* Magnetics and practical design of custom transformers and inductors, including planar magnetics

* Direct involvement in all hardware design and product development activities including circuit analysis / modelling / simulation, components selection, packaging for harsh environments

* Conduct mechanical and thermal test, characterization, and validation of power electronics designs

* Support purchasing department / section / staff in selections of component suppliers

* Support product care and customer service activities on demand

* Responsible for analysing and solving customer related technical issues

* Writing technical documentation.

Technical Skills

* Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering is requested, with a preferred specialty in power electronics

* 10yrs+ engineering expertise in design, analysis, and testing of spacecraft power electronics and DC-DC power converters

* Familiar with appropriate engineering tools such as OrCAD, LTSpice, PLECS, Matlab (or similar)

* Advanced experience in FMEA, WCA and PSA design analysis

* Deep knowledge of ECSS/MIL Standards

* Proficient in the English language, written and verbal. Other languages are bonus

* Availability to travel occasionally

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

James Godfrey