Venture Capital & Private Equity, National Security, Healthcare, Technology

Staff Electrical Engineer

Southern California PreferredOnsiteFull TimeStaff$150,000–$175,000 /yrPosted 2 days ago

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Required skills

electrical architecture
technical leadership
mixed-signal backbone
digital control
embedded interfaces
sensing
data conversion
power circuitry
RF chain
microcontroller-based control

Nice to have

FPGA development
embedded firmware development
hardware/software bring-up
MIL-STD-461
embedded control
data acquisition

Role summary

Dash 2 Dynamics (D2) is seeking a Staff Electrical Engineer to lead mixed-signal electrical design for advanced communications systems. This role involves architecting and developing the digital, control, sensing, and power circuitry for plasma-enhanced antennas. Responsibilities include schematic capture, PCB layout, prototype bring-up, integration, testing, and troubleshooting. The engineer will collaborate closely with RF specialists, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to hardware build strategies and product qualification. The ideal candidate will have 6-10+ years of relevant experience in mixed-signal systems, PCB design, and hands-on testing, with strong fundamentals in digital design, power electronics, signal integrity, and power integrity. Familiarity with RF, plasma physics, or EMC is a plus.

About Us

Red Cell Partners is an incubation firm building and investing in rapidly scalable technology-led companies that are bringing revolutionary advancements to market in three distinct practice areas: healthcare, cyber, and national security. United by a shared sense of duty and deep belief in the power of innovation, Red Cell is developing powerful tools and solutions to address our Nation’s most pressing problems.

About Dash 2 Dynamics (D2)

D2 is building a new class of advanced communications systems powered by the integration of plasma physics, radio-frequency engineering, and novel antenna architectures. Our work is aimed at overcoming fundamental limits in conventional antennas and enabling communications capabilities that are smaller, more wideband, and more resilient in demanding environments. We are taking breakthrough technology from the laboratory through rapid prototyping, rigorous modeling and test, product qualification, and operational deployment.

This is an opportunity to join a hands-on, multidisciplinary team working at the edge of electromagnetics, materials, electronics, plasma science, and mission-focused product development. The systems we are developing will reshape how defense, aerospace, and commercial users communicate across contested and congested RF environments.

About the Role

Dash 2 Dynamics (D2) is seeking a Staff Electrical Engineer to lead mixed-signal electrical design for the electronics that enable our plasma-enhanced antenna and communications systems. You will own designs from schematic capture through PCB layout, with an emphasis on the digital, control, sensing, and power circuitry that surrounds the RF chain, and help shape the build strategy that takes hardware from benchtop prototypes to qualification-ready units. Working hand-in-hand with our RF subject matter expert, you will also run integration and test: bringing up boards, verifying performance, and closing the loop between design intent and measured system behavior.

What You Will Do

Electrical Architecture & Technical Leadership

Architect a new kind of radio front end. Define the mixed-signal backbone (digital control, embedded interfaces, sensing, data conversion, and power) that turns a plasma-enabled aperture into a controllable, field-ready communications system.

Set the technical bar. As the senior electrical voice on a small, fast-moving team, lead design reviews, mentor engineers, and partner with our RF subject matter expert to draw clean digital/RF boundaries that scale across bands, operating modes, and product variants.

Circuit & Hardware Development

Design the electronics that put plasma under command. Build microcontroller- and FPGA-based control, data converters, precision sensing, and the drive and bias circuitry that ignites, sustains, and modulates the plasma elements at the heart of our antennas.

Own your boards end to end. Take designs from schematic capture through PCB layout, designing in signal and power integrity, thermal margin, and testability while engineering out noise coupling, EMI, arcing, parasitics, and transient stress.

Prototype, Test & Troubleshooting

Be first to see new hardware come alive. Bring up and debug first-of-their-kind prototypes with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and automated data capture, chasing root cause across electrical, plasma, and electromechanical behavior.

Run the integration and test campaigns that prove it works. Plan and execute tests that retire the biggest technical risks, correlating circuit models and bench data with plasma, thermal, and RF performance alongside our RF lead.

Integration, Qualification & Transition

Shape how D2 builds hardware. Help define fabrication and assembly approach, prototype build sequencing, design verification, and configuration control as breakthrough technology moves from the lab bench toward qualification.

Carry it across the finish line. Work with mechanical, software, and systems engineers and with PCB, component, and test partners, designing for EMC (e.g., MIL-STD-461) and defense qualification on the path to repeatable production.

Qualifications

Required

Degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and directly relevant experience, with typically 6–10+ years of relevant engineering work that demonstrates technical ownership of complex, cross-disciplinary mixed-signal systems, from architecture and interface trade-offs through schematic capture, layout, bring-up, integration, and verification.

Demonstrated expertise designing, laying out, building, and debugging printed circuit boards, with proficiency in a professional schematic and PCB environment such as Altium Designer, KiCad, or OrCAD.

Strong fundamentals in mixed-signal and digital design, including microcontroller or FPGA interfaces, data converters, serial buses, power electronics, controls, instrumentation, signal integrity, and power integrity.

Hands-on proficiency with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, signal generators, power supplies, electronic loads, probes, and safe laboratory practices.

Demonstrated ability to lead design reviews, mentor engineers, communicate technical risk, and make sound decisions with incomplete information.

Ability to meet requirements associated with work on U.S. government and national-security programs.

Nice to Have

Familiarity with RF power amplifiers, impedance matching, high-voltage supplies, pulsed-power circuits, plasma systems, or electrically small antennas, sufficient to work effectively with RF specialists.

Experience with FPGA or embedded firmware development, or close collaboration with firmware engineers on hardware/software bring-up.

Familiarity with electromagnetic compatibility practices and standards such as MIL-STD-461.

Experience with embedded control, data acquisition, automation scripts, or software-defined radio interfaces.

Experience supporting design verification, environmental qualification, SBIR/STTR programs, or defense product development.

Active U.S. security clearance or eligibility to obtain one.

Salary Range: $150,000-$175,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience, skills, and other factors.

Our Red Cell Partners Benefits (may differ for each incubation):

For full-time roles

Career track opportunity with potential for rapid advancement with strong performance as the firm grows

100% employer paid, comprehensive health care including medical, dental, and vision for you and your family.

Paid maternity and paternity for 14 weeks at employees' normal pay.

Unlimited PTO, with management approval.

Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.

Optional 401K, FSA, and equity incentives available.

Mental health benefits are available through Tara Mind.

Cost effective GLP-1 solutions available through Crux.

We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer: You’ll receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

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