> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2628358-senior-payload-hardware-primary-board-design-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2628358-senior-payload-hardware-primary-board-design-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Payload Hardware / Primary Board Design Engineer - **Company:** TRUSTPOINT, L.L.P. - **Location:** Dulles, VA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $139,000.0 - $172,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Software Debugging, Firmware, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), System on a Chip, Pcb Layout, GNSS - **Published:** August 9, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=b605b2a0087618a4 ## About the Role * B.S. in Electrical Engineering or a related field (M.S. preferred). * 10+ years of electrical engineering experience designing complex mixed-signal and RF-adjacent circuit boards (clock/timing distribution, low-noise power, high-speed digital, analog/RF interfaces) for space, aerospace, or other high-reliability hardware, with strong attention to signal and power integrity. * Demonstrated ownership of primary or otherwise complex PCBs from schematic and detailed design through fabrication, bring-up, and functional test, with the ability to walk through prior designs and design decisions in a hands-on interview task. * Experience owning integrated performance of a multi-board electronic system, beyond individual board designs. * Primarily an electrical engineer, with a working understanding of the FPGA/firmware and software that run on the boards you design. * Experience designing for manufacturability and test at production volumes. * Readiness to grow into technical leadership of the payload hardware team, including near-term oversight of a junior engineer. * Strong written and verbal communication skills. * Self-directed and comfortable working autonomously in a fast-paced startup environment. * Must be a U.S. Person., * Experience with GNSS, precision timing, or oscillator and clock-distribution hardware. * Familiarity with SoC/FPGA-based payloads (e.g., Zynq) and the board-level support they require. * Hands-on PCB layout experience, enough to define layout constraints, review routing critically, and work effectively with external layout, fabrication, and assembly partners. * Prior experience mentoring engineers or leading a hardware team. * Experience supporting multiple hardware generations in parallel while maintaining design and configuration discipline. Cultural Fit * Thrive in a start-up environment * Effective communication style that instills a culture of optimism and positivity * Sense of humor and ability to proactively problem solve. * Encourages colleagues to think and plan strategically while executing well tactically. * Works well with all company levels and disciplines (i.e. Legal, HR, etc.). * Willing to "roll up sleeves" in a new venture, working closely with colleagues. ## Description With locations outside Washington DC and in Silicon Valley, TrustPoint is currently seeking a Full Time Senior Payload Hardware / Primary Board Design Engineer who wants to do more than design a board. You'll help build the hardware foundation that enables our constellation, solve the problems that come with turning ambitious space technology into flight-ready systems, and grow into a technical leader as the payload hardware team scales. We'll Expect You To: * Own board-level design and bring-up of the payload's primary board, covering schematics, architecture, part selection, and first-power-on debug. * Direct the layout, assembly, and test executed by layout partners, assembly technicians, and the payload test team. * Ensure the multi-board payload performs correctly as an integrated system, coordinating closely with the RF lead on the amplifier board. * Design the payload's precision timing and frequency-reference signal chain, including the low-noise board partitioning needed to meet timing-stability requirements. * Sustain and revise current payload hardware while defining the next-generation payload architecture. * Produce manufacturable, testable designs that fit the per-unit acceptance flow and production cadence, not first articles alone. ## Related Videos - [Playing Pong on a shoulder press machine](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100140-playing-pong-on-a-shoulder-press-machine) - [Hiring Technical Leaders: Promote from Within or Go External?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100167-hiring-technical-leaders-promote-from-within-or-go-external) - [Developers don't need onboarding, do they? 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