Principal Hardware Engineer

About the Role:

The Sensors Division is seeking a multi-disciplined Principal Hardware Engineer to perform development, integration and test activities in a Research & Development environment. In this role, you will be an integral part of a team developing a cutting-edge radar and EW systems. In addition, you will leverage your RF, analog/mixed signal and digital design skills to contribute to a multi-disciplinary team engaged in solving unique problems. The successful candidate will be comfortable designing, analyzing, and characterizing a variety of hardware architectures to aid with software and hardware modeling efforts. They should have a firm grasp of the fundamentals of computer architecture to support both software and hardware reverse engineering tasks and be able to use their hardware expertise to rapidly prototype solutions.

What you will do:

• Develop rapid prototype RF solutions to go from free space to bits using a combination of COTS and custom designs
• Develop PCB-based designs and implement FPGA and embedded software to support HWIL and surrogate designs
• Integrate processor/microcontroller debuggers to extract binary data and integrate in circuit probing solutions to characterize dynamic program execution
• Work in a laboratory environment utilizing test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, VNAs etc.) to characterize and debug complex electronic systems
• Prepare and execute test events for customers and internal and external stakeholders
• Lead efforts to develop lab-based acquisition and control platforms to aid in test and characterization of hardware systems
• Serve as the hardware team representative on interdisciplinary efforts to contribute knowledge of system architecture and focused processor implementations
• Participate in proposal efforts by providing input on technical path and BOM/cost and schedule estimates
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand and/or develop system requirements and specifications
• Conduct performance analysis through simulations and real-world testing to validate system performance
• Communicate effectively with internal teams and stakeholders to convey technical concepts and project updates

Who you are:

• This position requires the ability to obtain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government
• BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field with 10 years of related experience OR a MS and 8 years
• Proven expertise of electrical circuit design principles in at least one of the following areas: RF, analog, or digital
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to mentor junior engineering staff
• Experience preparing and presenting technical material to customers and internal staff
• Experience leading hardware efforts from concept to implementation managing cost and scheduling requirements

Even Better:

• Active Top Secret (TS) Security Clearance
• Strong RF design or implementation background with experience in system analysis and component characterization
• Experience in RF design, signal processing for satellite or space communications
• Experience architecting RF hardware solutions and leading RF hardware teams for laboratory and test event environments
• Experience integrating software defined radios and RFSOC platforms
• In depth knowledge of processor architectures and peripherals with experience integrating in-circuit debuggers and emulators
• Experience using and developing tools and test software for Linux (e.g., Red Hat, Ubuntu)
• Knowledge of PCB design and fabrication principles and familiarity with industry standard CAD tools (e.g., Cadence, Altium, Eagle)
• Digital/FPGA HDL experience using dedicated design tools (e.g., Vivado, Quartus, Simulink/HDL Coder)

 

STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, and Carlsbad, CA. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us.

STR is committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer.

STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences