Company Description
At Protostar Labs, we design and develop intelligent vision and onboard data processing systems for high-reliability environments where size, weight, power, and cost are tightly constrained. Our technologies bring intelligence directly to satellites, enabling efficient in-orbit data processing, edge AI, and more autonomous space missions.
We work on institutional and commercial space and defense projects, partnering with startups, established companies, and organizations such as the European Space Agency. While space remains our primary focus, our technologies also support demanding terrestrial sectors such as robotics, and industrial automation.
Our vision is to build a globally recognized Croatian space technology company developing advanced spacecraft subsystems and onboard intelligence for the next generation of space missions.
Role Overview
We are looking for an senior Embedded Hardware Engineer to join our team and contribute to technically challenging projects in space and defense industry. In this role, you’ll take real ownership of your work and directly influence technical decisions from early concept to final product, giving you the chance to see your designs come to life and be used in real-world applications.
You will play a central role in electronic circuit design, PCB design and layout, prototype bring-up, testing and debugging, making key decisions that directly shape the performance and reliability of our solutions.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Engineering team, developing hardware solutions across a range of industries -
- Design electronic circuits and schematics independently based on system and product requirements
- Select electronic components considering design requirements, electrical characteristics, performance, reliability, availability, and other relevant design constraints
- Perform circuit calculations and validate designs using component datasheets, simulations, and engineering analysis
- Design and route multilayer printed circuit boards (PCBs)
- Make PCB design decisions considering stackup, controlled impedance, signal integrity, power distribution, grounding, and manufacturability
- Use standard laboratory equipment, including oscilloscopes, multimeters, laboratory power supplies, electronic/DC loads, and logic analyzers
- Lead PCB design and layout efforts, including schematic capture, component selection, design rule checks, and layout review
- Take ownership of prototype development, bring-up procedures, testing, debugging, and hardware validation
- Contribute to the integration of hardware with broader system ecosystems, including sensors, power supplies, and communication interfaces
- Participate in hardware and design reviews and provide technical and design feedback across the Engineering team
- Write and maintain clear technical documentation
- Manage design files and revisions using appropriate version control practices.
Required Skills
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or a related technical field
- Proven experience in PCB design and layout (Altium Designer preferred),
- Hands-on experience developing embedded hardware and electronic systems
- Ability to independently design electronic circuits and schematics
- Strong knowledge of digital electronics and circuit design fundamentals
- Experience selecting and dimensioning electronic components based on datasheets and design requirements
- Hands-on experience using standard laboratory equipment, including oscilloscopes, electronic loads and logic analyzers
- Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to systematically identify the root cause of hardware issues
- Familiarity with communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, CAN, UART,
- Experience with circuit calculations, design verification, and simulation
- Proven experience in multilayer PCB design and layout, including PCB stackup and controlled impedance
- Experience with hardware bring-up, testing, debugging, and validation
- Proficiency in technical English, written and spoken.
Bonus Points
- Experience writing embedded software in C/C++ or Rust
- Familiarity with microcontrollers (STM32, ESP, Arduino, or similar)
- Exposure to real-time operating systems (e.g. FreeRTOS)
- Hands-on firmware debugging experience (JTAG, SWD, logic analyzers)
- Soldering skills, including SMD rework
- Familiarity with Autodesk Fusion 360 or similar CAD tools
- Experience with 3D printing
What We Offer
- An opportunity to expand your technical expertise working on technically challenging projects across high-tech industries that go beyond the scope of a typical engineering role
- A collaboration with a small, highly skilled engineering team where everyone is eager to teach and learn
- A working environment where good engineering ideas can quickly turn into real products
- Hands-on experience with new technologies and engineering approaches, with room to explore and contribute directly to real space missions
- Professional development through relevant training opportunities within European Space Agency and other international organizations, as well as participation in conferences, workshops, and industry events
- Permanent employment contract
- Flexible working hours
- Paid annual leave above the statutory minimum
- Company-wide annual leave between Christmas and New Year
- Additional days off for important personal and family matters
- Christmas bonus
- Discounted PassSport card.