Hands-on co-op role supporting design, testing, and documentation of spacecraft avionics and electrical systems. Tasks include board bring-up, system integration, harness/interface design, environmental and EMI/EMC testing, PCB design review, and test data collection while collaborating across electrical, mechanical, software, and systems teams.
Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.
OUR MISSION
True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.
OUR VALUES
- Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
- What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
- It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.
YOUR MISSION
As a member of our Avionics & Electrical Engineering CO-OP Program, you will gain hands-on experience contributing to the design, testing, and documentation of mission-critical spacecraft avionics and electrical systems. This role focuses on hardware documentation, board bring-up testing, and electrical system verification. CO-OP responsibilities may include:
- Electrical Engineering Documentation:
- Create and maintain comprehensive electrical engineering documentation including schematics, interface control documents (ICDs), component specifications, test procedures, and design rationale reports for avionics subsystems.
- Board Bring-Up Testing and Verification:
- Support hardware bring-up activities for avionics flight boards and ground support electronics, including power sequencing verification, signal integrity testing, functional validation, and debugging of prototype PCBAs using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters.
- Avionics System Integration and Test Support:
- Assist in the integration and testing of avionics subsystems including flight computers, power distribution units, communication systems, and sensor interfaces. Support functional testing, interface verification, and anomaly resolution during spacecraft integration.
- Electrical Harnessing and Interface Design:
- Collaborate with electrical and mechanical teams to define wiring harness designs, connector pinouts, and electrical interface specifications for power and data distribution across spacecraft subsystems. Support harness routing analysis and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) considerations.
- Environmental Test Planning and Execution:
- Develop test procedures and support execution of environmental qualification tests for avionics hardware including thermal vacuum (TVAC), vibration, shock, and electromagnetic interference/compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing. Collect test data, document results, and support post-test analysis and failure investigation.
- PCB Design Review and Analysis:
- Participate in PCB design reviews for avionics boards, reviewing layout for signal integrity, power integrity, thermal management, and design for manufacturing (DFM). Support component selection, worst-case circuit analysis, and derating analysis to ensure mission reliability.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Collaborate closely with mentors and team members to apply your knowledge and develop technical skills in a fast-paced environment.
- Engage in cross-functional teamwork, interacting with engineers from electrical, mechanical, software, and systems disciplines to solve complex challenges.
- Maintain accurate and professional engineering documentation following industry standards and internal processes.
- Showcase your work through presentations or project reviews.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Currently enrolled in Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline at a four-year accredited university.
- Strong electrical engineering fundamentals including circuit analysis, digital logic, and analog electronics.
- Hands-on experience with electrical test equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, function generators, logic analyzers, or power supplies (laboratory, academic, internship, or personal project experience applicable).
- Experience in the development, testing, or documentation of electrical/electronic systems for aircraft, spacecraft, or similar complex systems (internships, laboratory, academic, and personal/team project experience is applicable).
- Strong technical writing and documentation skills with attention to detail.
- Must be able to work full time, on-site at Denver or Long Beach, CO for 20 consecutive weeks beginning in Sep 2026
- Must be able to provide own transportation and housing.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Have completed their Junior and/or Senior year
- GPA of 3.5 or above
- Coursework or project experience in embedded systems, microcontrollers, or digital design
- Experience with PCB design tools (Altium, OrCAD, KiCAD) or circuit simulation tools (LTspice, PSpice, MATLAB/Simulink)
- Familiarity with communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, RS-422, or SpaceWire
- Experience with scripting or programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, or C/C++
- Exposure to aerospace or defense electrical standards (MIL-STD-1553, MIL-STD-461, DO-160, etc.)
- Knowledge of power electronics, DC-DC converters, or power distribution architectures
- Understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, and EMI/EMC design principles
- Passionate about advancing space security and sustainability
- Resilient problem-solving attitude
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Long Beach
- Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
- Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving
COMPENSATION
- Base Salary: $28-$32/hour
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.
This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.
Similar Jobs at True Anomaly
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Machine Learning • Software • Defense • Manufacturing
Lead development and execution of EHS programs at the Centennial facility, ensuring hazardous waste compliance, SOPs, inspections, JHAs, incident investigations, training, regulatory tracking (CDPHE/EPA), emergency response planning, and integration of safety into new processes and equipment. Manage hazardous materials business plan, generator requirements, regulatory reporting, and agency relationships while supporting cross-functional EHS initiatives.
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Machine Learning • Software • Defense • Manufacturing
Perform spacecraft radiation analyses (TID, SEE, DDD) and develop environment models; plan and execute radiation test campaigns; support part selection and mitigation strategies; maintain parts library; produce verification artifacts for requirements; support proposals, design reviews, and stakeholder briefings; train cross-discipline teams on survivability and reliability practices.
Top Skills:
Ae9Ap9Automated Data CollectionCreme96Ecss-Q-St-60-15CFastradGeant4Logic AnalyzersLtspiceMatlabMil-Std-750Mil-Std-883Nasa Testing GuidelinesNoviceOmereOscilloscopesPower SuppliesPspicePythonRhbdSource MetersSpenvisSpm
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Machine Learning • Software • Defense • Manufacturing
Design and lay out multi-layer PCBs (2–32 layers) from schematic review through manufacturable release. Create fabrication/assembly deliverables, set stack-ups and design rules, perform DRC/ERC, support DFM, manage component libraries, and collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to meet performance, thermal, and EMI/EMC requirements.
Top Skills:
Altium DesignerBomConfiguration Management ToolsDesign Rule Check (Drc)Electrical Rule Check (Erc)Emi/Emc ConsiderationsGerberHigh-Speed Digital LayoutIpc SpecificationsPcb Layer Stack-UpPower Electronics LayoutRevision ControlRf LayoutThermal Management
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
With vibrant neighborhoods, great food and more affordable housing than either coast, Chicago might be the most liveable major tech hub. It is the birthplace of modern commodities and futures trading, a national hub for logistics and commerce, and home to the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. This diverse blend of industry influences has helped Chicago emerge as a major player in verticals like fintech, biotechnology, legal tech, e-commerce and logistics technology. It’s also a major hiring center for tech companies on both coasts.
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
