Job DescriptionDescription SAIC is seeking a
Senior Electrical Engineer with deep experience troubleshooting and supporting
Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) test environments. The selected candidate will play a crucial role in the development, integration, and test of a
next-generation Hypersonic Missile System, supporting real-time test operations, electrical diagnostics, and weapon-system-level performance verification.
This position requires
on-site support at NSWC Crane to enable hands-on work with lab hardware, missile subsystem interfaces, and high-fidelity real-time simulation equipment.
Key Responsibilities:HWIL System Troubleshooting & Diagnostics - Diagnose and resolve issues within complex HWIL testbeds involving sensors, avionics, embedded computing, and closed-loop weapon-system interfaces.
- Identify root causes related to component failures, degraded signals, hardware performance, or timing anomalies.
- Conduct detailed fault isolation across interconnected hardware, simulation nodes, and networked weapon-system components.
Electrical Checkout & Hardware Validation - Perform electrical verification tasks including:
- Identification of loose or intermittent connections
- Troubleshooting faulty or damaged wiring/cabling
- Evaluating line integrity, grounding, shielding, and signal quality
- Support integration of new missile subsystems, instrumentation, and test rack hardware.
Network Analysis & Weapon-System Communication Troubleshooting - Analyze and verify complex system networks to ensure correct signal transmission, data routing, and message integrity across real-time simulation components.
- Develop an operational understanding of weapon-system networking architectures, including component interfaces, comms pathways, and timing requirements.
- Support protocols commonly used in real-time missile and DoD systems (e.g., Ethernet, deterministic real-time protocols, serial interfaces, MIL-STD data links, etc.).
Real-Time Execution Performance Analysis - Diagnose causes of simulation overruns, delayed model execution, and desynchronization between hardware devices, sensors, and real-time compute nodes.
- Monitor and analyze real-time model execution timelines.
- Resolve timing issues affecting weapon-system-level closed-loop simulations.
Documentation, Collaboration & Lab Support - Document troubleshooting steps, root causes, and corrective actions.
- Collaborate closely with system engineers, software developers, real-time modelers, and test operators.
- Support test readiness reviews, lab configuration updates, and integration events for the hypersonic program.
Qualifications Required Education and experience:- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related hardware electrical engineering discipline.
- 5+ years of experience working with HWIL environments, tactical hardware, or real-time test systems.
- Demonstrated experience diagnosing electrical and hardware failures in complex integrated systems.
- Strong understanding of system networks, message flows, signal routing, and communication protocols.
- Experience with real-time simulation/test frameworks (e.g., iHawk, Speedgoat, RT Linux, or similar).
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance. Interim secret required to start. SAIC will sponsor the clearance process.
- Ability to work 100% on-site at NSWC Crane.
Desired Experience:- Network+ or equivalent certification (Security+, CCNA, etc.).
- Experience reviewing or modifying wiring diagrams, harness documentation, and system schematics.
- Knowledge of avionics interfaces, deterministic timing systems, or secure DoD network architectures.
- Familiarity with HPC computing, MIL-STD communication protocols, V&V and Systems Engineering processes.
Overview SAIC accepts applications on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.
