Research Engineer - RF, photonic, mixed-signal

Overview

SRI is seeking a Research Engineer (Level I or II) onsite in Boulder, CO,  to support the design, development, and prototyping of advanced electronic and sensing systems. This role emphasizes PCB design, embedded hardware, RF/mixed-signal electronics, and hands-on laboratory development.

You will work within multidisciplinary teams to build real-time hardware systems for remote sensing and photonics applications, including radar, quantum sensing, photonics, and communications systems. This role is well-suited for engineers who enjoy hands-on development, rapid prototyping, and solving complex technical challenges.

 

This position is part of the Advanced Technology and Systems Division (ATSD), which develops innovative, high-performance technologies across domains including radar and electronic warfare, imaging, robotics, quantum sensing, and applied optics.

Responsibilities

Research Engineer I

Typical Experience: 0–2 years (or recent graduate with relevant internship/project experience)

• Contributes to hardware design, PCB layout, and system integration under guidance from senior engineers
• Supports prototyping, testing, and debugging of electronic systems in a laboratory environment
• Assists with schematic capture, component selection, and documentation
• Implements well-defined portions of embedded systems and interfaces
• Learns and applies RF, DSP, and system-level concepts to real-world problems
• Works primarily on defined tasks with increasing independence over time

Research Engineer II

Typical Experience: 2–5+ years (or advanced degree with relevant experience)

• Independently designs and develops subsystems, including PCB design, embedded hardware, and RF/mixed-signal circuits
• Leads portions of system integration, test planning, and debugging efforts
• Makes architectural and design trade-off decisions within subsystems
• Contributes to embedded system development for real-time data acquisition and processing
• Applies DSP, RF, and system-level knowledge to solve complex engineering problems
• Mentors junior engineers and contributes to technical direction on small projects
• Communicates technical results to internal teams and external stakeholders

 

Key Responsibilities for the above:

• Design and develop RF and mixed-signal electronic systems, including transmit/receive chains, filtering, signal conditioning, and drivers/controls for photonic systems
• Design schematics and perform PCB layout for high-speed, mixed-signal, and RF circuits
• Develop and integrate embedded hardware systems for real-time data acquisition and control
• Prototype, test, and debug hardware using laboratory instrumentation (oscilloscopes, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers, signal generators)
• Perform RF and system-level characterization (e.g., S-parameters, noise figure, spectral analysis)
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across software, firmware, mechanical, and systems engineering
• Support rapid prototyping from concept through demonstration and field testing
• Document designs, test procedures, and results in technical reports and presentations

Qualifications

Required:

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
• Experience with PCB design (schematic capture, layout, and routing) for mixed-signal and/or RF systems
• Experience with high-speed digital, controlled impedance design, and analog signal conditioning
• Proficiency in Python, C, C++, or MATLAB
• Familiarity with communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART)
• Hands-on experience with lab instrumentation and hardware debugging
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Willingness to travel occasionally for testing or fieldwork

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of digital signal processing (DSP) theory and implementation
• Experience with FPGA development and high-speed digital systems

• Experience with embedded programming in microcontrollers, software defined radios (SDRs), or graphics processing units (GPUs)

• Familiarity with RF simulation tools (e.g., ADS, HFSS, CST)
• Experience with low-power or battery-operated systems
• Background in research, prototyping, or government-funded R&D
• Experience with networking systems or hardware/software integration
• Exposure to AI/ML applied to sensing or signal proce