Lead Electrical Engineer
About Urban Sky:
Urban Sky is a venture-backed aerospace startup that pioneers utilization of the stratosphere and reimagines the way humans view and analyze the earth. We design, build, operate, and sell stratospheric balloon systems, and the data we collect supports a wide range of applications, from real-time wildfire monitoring to urban mapping. Our technology is also employed by government customers including the Department of Defense (DoD), NASA, and others. Urban Sky sends flight vehicles to the stratosphere on a weekly basis.
Our team consists of engineers, makers, developers, and doers who believe in the power of human potential when passion meets utility within a small, supportive team. At Urban Sky we strive to create a team culture grounded in candor, inclusion, respect and empowerment.
We aim to build the next chapter of stratospheric history in Denver and are seeking self-starting, open-minded, and hard-working team members.
About The Role:
As the Lead Electrical Engineer, you will take ownership of the design, development, and deployment of electrical systems for our cutting-edge stratospheric balloon technology. This role is perfect for a creative problem solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is not afraid to get their hands dirty—whether it’s soldering, debugging circuits, or building “hacked-together” prototypes that work like a charm.
Key Responsibilities:
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Lead the design, testing, and iteration of electrical systems for stratospheric balloons, including power distribution, sensors, and communication systems.
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Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, software, and operations teams to integrate electrical systems seamlessly.
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Troubleshoot and resolve hardware issues quickly and efficiently—both in the lab and in the field.
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Maintain a hands-on approach, including soldering, building prototypes, and conducting rapid hardware iterations.
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Drive the selection and sourcing of electronic components to meet project requirements and cost targets.
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Establish processes for robust documentation, testing, and scaling of electrical systems.
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Mentor and support junior engineers as the team grows.
Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
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Strong experience in circuit design, PCB layout, and embedded systems.
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Proficiency with soldering, debugging tools, and hands-on prototyping.
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Experience with power systems, sensor integration, RF communication, and microcontrollers.
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A creative, solutions-oriented mindset—you’re comfortable with “hacking together” solutions when needed.
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Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Nice-to-Haves/Preferred Skills:
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A passion for aerospace, Earth observation, or similar fields is a plus.
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7+ years of experience in electrical design, with a preference for startup or small team environments.
Requirements:
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Must be US Citizen or Permanent Resident
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Must be located near Denver, CO
Benefits:
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Salary $135,000 - $155,000 per year
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We are required to post this salary range per Colorado law. Your salary will be determined based on your abilities and experience.
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Stock Options
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Medical, Vision and Dental
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Unlimited Vacation Days
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Cell Phone Bill Stipend
NOTE: Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes that they have the skills and the passion necessary to succeed here to apply for this role.
This position may require the candidate to deal with commodities, software, technology, defense articles, and/or technical data which are subject to the Export Administration Regulations and/or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Additional information may be requested so as to determine whether export authorization is required from the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. If authorization is required, employment will be contingent upon the Company successfully obtaining such authorization from the relevant government agency.
Urban Sky is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
Top Skills
What We Do
Urban Sky's novel invention, the high-altitude Microballoon™, leverages advances in component miniaturization and first-of-its-kind material re-usability to drastically reduce the cost of high-resolution remote sensing over broad, targeted areas, leading to more impactful data over more areas than ever before.
The Microballoon™ is the first ever reusable stratospheric balloon. It's also the first ever precisely placeable remote sensing balloon. The Microballoon™ has a unique ability to image specific areas at desired times, never before possible with stratospheric balloons. This capability is made possible by coupling advanced balloon design with a very small form factor, enabling launch from virtually anywhere at any time with minimal personnel and equipment required. The Microballoon is also zero-emission, making it the most sustainable way to image Planet Earth.
Remote sensing from the stratosphere combines many of the benefits of both space-based assets and lower altitude airborne vehicles. That means remote sensing data can be collected from the Stratosphere over vast areas, with aerial quality-resolution, at the lowest possible cost. This unique combination of advantages will finally unlock the full commercial usefulness of the Stratosphere.
Why Work With Us
Our team consists of engineers, makers, developers, and doers who believe in the power of human potential when passion meets utility within a small, supportive team. At Urban Sky we are aiming to make stratospheric history in Denver and strive to create a team culture grounded in candor, inclusion, respect and empowerment.
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