Principal Hardware Engineer

The Systems Development Division (SDD) delivers technology advantage into users’ hands, from space to sub-surface. Our programs deliver sustainable, reliable, and cost-efficient capabilities focused on end-customer needs that function in operationally relevant environments and timeframes.  SDD considers the entire lifecycle of the solution, from conceptualization and architecting, through development, to deployment, while leveraging novel technologies to deliver first-of-a-kind systems.  Current efforts include programs for airborne and space RF as well as advanced testing enabled by multi-function, multi-modal capabilities.

SDD is seeking a Principal Hardware Engineer to support the architecting, design, development, and implementation of hardware for advanced multi-function Radar systems. You will collaborate with fellow researchers and engineers on multi-disciplinary teams spread across multiple STR campuses, groups, divisions, and with industry partners to interpret and understand customer objectives and develop innovative solutions to complex and challenging national security problems. Your areas of specific focus will include exploration and demonstration of radar, communications, and EW/RF convergence. 

These systems will often include RF-digital interfaces that incorporate FPGAs, Software-Defined Radios and embedded processors. Specific activities will include Xilinx programmable logic RTL design, implementation, validation, system integration, and support of high-speed digital FPGA design for MPSoCs.  Additionally, you will leverage familiarity with the VITA 49.2 standard to implement radar waveforms, beamforming, and signal processing.

You will lead integration and testing activities and customer demonstrations of completed systems, both in laboratory settings and in the field. Additionally, you will support the effort to evaluate current and future system capabilities, identify improved applications and techniques, and ultimately recommend solutions.  Since the systems SDD develops are deployed in operationally relevant environments, the hardware you develop needs to meet standards of quality, maintainability, and reuse.  This position will offer the opportunity for technical leadership, project planning, design, analysis, development, testing, and fielding of capabilities.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated leadership skills and expertise in areas such as: radar, algorithms, systems engineering, and test & evaluation. This position requires skills in working with multi-disciplinary teams, managing design, development, and test activities, as well as technical proficiency in relevant technologies. Strong interpersonal, communication, technical, and peer-leadership skills are also required.  Applicants are expected to be self-motivated, detail oriented and have a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with all levels of management and individual contributors on the program team through strong written and verbal communication skills. 

Responsibilities:

• Lead the assigned task/team, manage budget and schedule, ensure milestones are met
• Serve as an intermediary between Hardware and Software design to ensure complete and proper implementation of system requirements
• Architect, develop, implement, and debug firmware on Xilinx FPGAs
• Implement and optimize capture of VITA 49.2 data from multiple streams
• Implement radar waveform timing, beamforming, transmit, receive, and signal processing

Required Qualifications:

• Experience with VITA 49.2 standard
• Experience implementing firmware on Xilinx FPGA products
• Understanding of and experience with radar systems (including beamforming) and their principles of design, development, requirements verification, test planning, test execution, and data analysis
• Demonstrated desire to successfully pursue new challenges, improve and broaden technical skills, seek greater responsibilities, and increase individual value to the organization
• Capable of effectively working in a team environment, often under tight deadlines
• Mentoring and providing career development direction to junior engineers
• Experience in preparing and delivering high-level briefings to Customers and senior management. Interacting with decision-makers and customers to translate mission needs into an end-to-end solution
• Familiarity with the execution of technical reviews (SRRs, PDRs, CDRs, TIMS)
• Demonstrated experience in leadership and delivery of advanced development projects
• Background should include a Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of applicable experience; Master’s degree and at least 8 years of applicable experience; or PhD and at least 5 years of applicable experience Equivalent experience will be considered
• US Citizenship with active