Executive Power Electronics Professor Jobs in Reston, VA

Who We're Looking For

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

We are seeking an experienced Vice President of Avionics and Electronics to lead the strategy, development, integration, and production of the electrical systems that power our next generation of spacecraft. In this role, you will oversee the design and delivery of flight avionics, power electronics, embedded systems, communications hardware, harnessing, GNC electronics, and associated flight software interfaces. As a key member of the leadership team, you will build and lead a world-class engineering organization responsible for delivering reliable, flight-qualified electronic systems from concept through launch while establishing the technical direction, growing engineering talent, maturing development processes, and partnering across the company to deliver innovative spacecraft solutions on aggressive schedules. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and is passionate about building next-generation space systems that support mission success.

Where You\'ll Make an Impact

• Lead the company\'s Avionics and Electronics organization, providing technical vision, organizational leadership, and strategic planning for spacecraft electrical systems.

• Define the architecture, development roadmap, and technology strategy for spacecraft avionics, power systems, communications electronics, embedded computing, and electrical integration.

• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary engineering team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and technical excellence.

• Oversee the design, analysis, development, integration, qualification, and production of flight avionics and electronic hardware.

• Establish engineering standards, design review processes, configuration management, and verification methodologies to ensure mission success.

• Partner with Systems Engineering to develop spacecraft architectures that balance performance, reliability, cost, and manufacturability.

• Drive design-for-manufacturing initiatives and work closely with Manufacturing and Supply Chain to transition products from development into production.

• Ensure compliance with aerospace industry standards, quality requirements, EMI/EMC considerations, radiation tolerance, and mission assurance objectives.

• Support proposal development, customer engagements, technical presentations, and strategic business pursuits with government, commercial, and national security customers.

• Manage departmental budgets, staffing plans, technology investments, and program resource allocation.

• Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends to maintain Quantum Space's competitive advantage in spacecraft avionics and electronics.

• Collaborate across engineering disciplines to deliver integrated spacecraft systems that meet performance, schedule, and cost objectives.

What It Takes

• Bachelor\'s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline; Master\'s degree preferred.

• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience developing complex aerospace, defense, or high-reliability electronic systems.

• 8+ years of engineering leadership experience managing multidisciplinary engineering organizations.

• Demonstrated success leading the development of flight avionics, embedded electronics, spacecraft electronics, satellites, launch vehicles, aircraft systems, or similarly complex products.

• Strong technical expertise in spacecraft avionics, embedded computing, power electronics, communications systems, digital electronics, and electrical integration.

• Experience managing full product lifecycles from concept development through qualification, production, and mission operations.

• Proven ability to recruit, mentor, and retain high-performing engineering teams.

• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, requirements management, risk management, and technical decision-making.

• Excellent communication and executive leadership skills with the ability to influence technical and business decisions across the organization.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance as required.

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience leading spacecraft, satellite, or national security space programs.

• Knowledge of radiation-hardened electronics, fault-tolerant architectures, and space-qualified components.

• Experience with FPGA development, embedded processors, real-time operating systems, and high-speed digital electronics.

• Familiarity with spacecraft communications, telemetry, command and data handling (C&DH), and GNC electronics.

• Experience with environmental qualification including vibration, thermal vacuum, shock, EMI/EMC, and radiation testing.

• Working knowledge of NASA, DoD, or commercial space standards and mission assurance requirements.

• Experience scaling engineering organizations in a high-growth aerospace company.

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline.

• Active U.S. Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

What You\'ll Get

• Ownership – Shape the technical vision and roadmap for the electronic systems powering Quantum Space\'s next generation of spacecraft while leading the company\'s avionics and electronics organization.

• Innovation – Drive the development of cutting-edge avionics, embedded technologies, power electronics, and communications systems supporting commercial, civil, and national security missions.

• Impact – Build and scale a world-class engineering organization whose work directly enables mission success across some of the most demanding space environments.

• Growth – Join the executive leadership team, collaborate across every engineering discipline, and help build a world-class aerospace company while developing exceptional technical talent.

• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation.

• Location: Rockville, MD

• Base Salary: $200,000 – $275,000

• The salary range for this role is determined based on a variety of factors including work experience, education, technical expertise, certifications, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

• To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

• Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.