Senior Electrical Engineer Job Listing at Kelly Services in San Luis Obispo, CA (Job ID US3634128_BH10050438)

Description

Kelly® Engineering is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer for a direct-hire opportunity with a cutting-edge aerospace and autonomous systems client in San Luis Obispo, CA. If you're driven to build what hasn't been built yet and eager to influence next-generation technologies, the experts at hiring experts want to hear from you.

Compensation 
$170,000 -$220,000 annually, depending on experience 

Overview
Our client is a technology developer specializing in autonomous aerial platforms and advanced unmanned flight systems. Their engineering teams create high-performance solutions used in mission-critical environments, with a strong focus on innovation, precision, and rapid iteration.

This senior-level role leads the development, optimization, and integration of complex electrical architectures for next-generation unmanned systems. The Senior Electrical Engineer serves as a technical authority—guiding circuit design, directing cross-functional engineering efforts, and ensuring robust, production-ready electrical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical hardware design for advanced unmanned flight platforms, including architecture definition, system-level integration, and component selection.
• Manage electrical engineering projects, driving schedules, deliverables, and cross-functional alignment.
• Develop and refine complex circuits, including microcontroller-based systems, power electronics, board-level designs, and embedded interfaces.
• Direct harness design and production, ensuring accuracy, manufacturability, and documentation using Altium.
• Integrate electrical systems with mechanical, software, and flight-test teams to ensure seamless platform performance.
• Solve high-level hardware issues, guiding root-cause analysis and supporting closure of non-conformance items.
• Support flight testing, including pre-flight electrical readiness, troubleshooting, and data-driven performance improvements.
• Mentor junior engineers, fostering strong technical development and collaborative problem-solving.
• Maintain compliance and documentation, ensuring all work adheres to industry standards and internal quality expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of electrical engineering experience, including 5+ years in aerospace, UAS, or other safety-critical/high-reliability systems.
• Deep expertise in analog/digital circuit design, power systems, CAN communication, and hardware debugging.
• Proficiency in Altium and modern ECAD tools.
• Skilled in advanced electrical testing, validation, and verification processes.
• Experience with board-level and component-level design, as well as complex harness architectures.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve non-conformance and configuration issues.
• Strong leadership skills with experience running technical projects and managing deliverables.
• Exceptional communication and ability to collaborate across disciplines.
• Background in avionics, high-reliability production environments, or automotive/safety-critical hardware highly desired.
• Experience leading electrical development on unmanned or autonomous systems highly desired.
• Due to program requirements and associated security regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Company Benefits

• Competitive total compensation package
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and supplemental benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• 4 weeks of PTO per year
• 12 company holidays annually

What happens next
Once you apply, our team will review your background to determine whether your experience aligns with the role. And even if this position isn't the perfect match, you'll remain part of the Kelly Engineering network—giving you access to future opportunities that fit your expertise.
 

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly® Engineering?

Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world's most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting-edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short-term projects or are looking for a long-term opportunity, we're here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we're obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it's about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It's the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It's the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California's state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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