Systems Engineer, Payload Electronics & Integration

Turion is developing the critical infrastructure of the space economy. We're doing this by building vertically integrated hardware and software: DROID, our line of space vehicles, and Starfire, our software suite covering simulation, modeling, planning, and operations. We're a group of people who fell in love with the future sci-fi promised us, and we're building it into reality. We build hard things. We build them well. And we're just getting started. We are seeking a Mid-Level Systems Engineer, Payload Electronics & Integration with strong hardware to software systems focus on integrated electronic payloads to join our team in Irvine, CA. In this role, you will ensure seamless system-level thinking across our entire payload stack. You will serve as the technical connective tissue for our payload team by interfacing directly with Electrical Engineering (EE), FPGA, and Firmware teams to define, integrate, and validate the complex electronic systems powering our next-generation technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive system-level thinking across integrated software, firmware, and electronics, ensuring payload architectures meet functional, performance and reliability requirements.

• Act as the primary technical bridge between the payload team and the EE, FPGA, and Firmware engineering disciplines to translate high-level system requirements into actionable hardware/software specifications.

• Document and manage Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for data links, power distribution and command/control telemetry.

• Collaborate, document, and track, hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing, board-level bring-up strategies, and payload integration test plans to validate and de-risk electronic subsystems early.

• Participate in interdisciplinary troubleshooting efforts to perform root cause analysis to diagnose complex anomalies occurring at the intersection of hardware, firmware, and software.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3 to 6+ years of experience in systems engineering, electrical engineering, embedded systems, or a closely related multidisciplinary field.

• Proven ability to analyze systems past the component layer, with a deep understanding of how firmware architectures impact hardware performance and vice versa. Familiarity with Python, C/C++, or MATLAB for data analysis, hardware automation, or system modeling.

• Strong familiarity with embedded systems concepts, microcontrollers, FPGA development workflows and low-level firmware/software architectures. Experience with electro-optical (EO/IR) payloads, sensor integration, or camera systems.

• Working knowledge of digital electronics, power budgeting, and common communication protocols (e.g., SPI, I2C, UART, PCIe, Ethernet, or High-Speed SerDes).

• Exceptional communication and collaborative skills with a track record of translating complex concepts between pure hardware engineers and low-level software developers and providing status updates to stakeholders.

• Proficiency with systems engineering tracking tools (e.g., Jama, DOORS, Jira) to maintain clear traceability between high-level requirements and firmware/hardware specifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in aerospace, robotics, defense, or high-reliability consumer electronics.

• Experience with interfacing EE, FPGA, Firmware with optical hardware.

• Experience developing automated test scripts (e.g., Python, PyTest) or frameworks for hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) validation and continuous integration.

• Familiarity with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or embedded Linux architectures and their constraints on hardware resource allocation.

• Hands-on experience using high-speed oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers to debug complex hardware-to-firmware communication boundaries.

Systems Engineer Salary Range: $$125,000 - $175,000 USD Employees may be asked to support alternate shifts, extended shifts, and/or travel during peak work periods.

ITAR Requirements: This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Benefits: We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for:

• Equity: Receive equity in Turion Space, letting you benefit from the company's success

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.

• Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan with a 3% Employer Direct Contribution to help you plan for your future.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge.

• Parental Leave: Paid parental leave following the birth of a newborn or adoption.

• Emotional Wellbeing: A no-cost Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your household’s emotional health and wellbeing.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing internal training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.

• Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment.

We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual. Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.