Principal Electronics Systems Engineer - Defense & Aerospace

Calnetix is an engineering and manufacturing company located in Southern California, committed to making a positive contribution to society and the environment by changing the way the world harvests and utilizes energy. We are focused on developing, manufacturing, and delivering advanced energy solutions for commercial applications throughout the world and for mission-critical applications for the United States Government and its Prime Contractors. Calnetix thrives on innovation and meeting new challenges. In partnership with OEMs, we utilize innovative, proprietary high-speed electric motor-generator technologies to develop next-generation, power-dense and energy-efficient products that reduce energy consumption, harmful emissions and enhance energy security.

The Principal Electronics Systems Engineer – Defense & Aerospace will be responsible for all aspects of magnetic bearing controller design, test, debugging, and project execution. In this role, you will design innovative controller products for industrial, aerospace, and military applications and lead the product development process from concept realization through introduction of product into high volume production.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Own the architecture and technical direction of magnetic bearing control electronics, from position sensors through power amplifiers and actuator interfaces.
Collaborate closely with controls, mechanical, and systems engineers to ensure control electronics are properly integrated with magnetic bearing dynamics, control algorithms, and mechanical constraints.
Guide the development of firmware-hardware interfaces, including ADC/DAC selection, timing, synchronization, interrupt handling, and data paths critical to closed-loop control.
Lead or support trade studies evaluating control electronics topologies, sensor architectures, redundancy strategies, and fault-handling approaches.
Participate in design of new magnetic bearing systems for new applications/machines. Specify requirements for magnetic bearing control hardware components such as DSP controller, PWM amplifiers, and power supplies; create system level wiring diagram.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to electrical and firmware engineers, including design guidance, design reviews, and troubleshooting support.
Interface directly with customers, suppliers, and partners on control electronics topics, including technical reviews, requirements clarification, and issue resolution.
Ensure control electronics designs meet applicable standards and program requirements (e.g., reliability, safety, environmental, and quality requirements).
Actively monitor advancements in industry and academia related to magnetic bearing control, power electronics, digital control platforms, and sensing technologies, and translate relevant developments into practical design improvements.
Support hands-on system bring-up and integration, including board-level debugging, signal integrity verification, timing validation, and coordination of electronics with mechanical and control subsystems.
Lead hands-on troubleshooting during integration and test activities, diagnosing control electronics, sensor behavior, and digital timing issues using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and system-level test data.
Prepare invention disclosures to protect intellectual property.
Architect, develop, and review digital control hardware utilizing CPLDs and FPGAs, including programming and verification using VHDL or equivalent hardware description languages, with attention to timing determinism, synchronization, and fault-handling behavior.

Education, Skills and Experience:

BSc or MSc in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering with focus on digital electronics and 15+ years of industry experience.
Background and experience with active magnetic bearings (AMB) and magnetic bearing controllers (MBC).
Strong understanding of electronics and power electronics circuits operation and design.
Strong skillset of debugging analog, digital, and power electronics circuits.
Experience with space vector, sinusoidal, and/or discontinuous PWM schemes.
Strong knowledge of digital, analog and power electronic circuits design, test, and debugging.
Hands-on experience with power electronics test equipment such as scope, DC/AC electronics load, DC/AC power sources, current and voltage probes.
Strong circuit simulation experience (Matlab Simulink/PLECS/ LTSpice).
Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation and technical writing skills.
Self-motivated, detail-oriented, strong team player.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively.
Ability to drive projects to completion.
Ability to prepare test reports, conclude the outcome of test results, provide the next steps in test plan, and present it to management level.
Must be able to obtain confidential security clearance within one year of start date.aster's or PhD in EE or ME with emphasis on electromechanical design is required.

Intangibles Sought:

Detail oriented with excellent time management skills.
Strong blend of analytical, decision-making and creative problem-solving skills.
Team player with a willingness to learn, teach and help.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent problem solving and troubleshooting skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No direct supervisory responsibilities.
Individual must be capable of performing as lead systems engineer on development programs.

Work Environment / Physical Demands:

10% travel may be required.
On-site only; this is not a remote/hybrid position.
Salary Range:
$175,000-$210,000

Disclaimer: The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned, by their supervisor. Management reserves the right to change, rescind, add or delete the duties and responsibilities of positions within this job classification at any time.

Other: Calnetix is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive considerations for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability or status as a protected veteran.