Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
Minimum 10 years of experience in architecting, designing, and testing electronics and firmware for complex systems.
Expertise in communications topology for multi-board embedded systems.
Proven track record in delivering high-reliability electronics and firmware from development to production.
Strong command of systems engineering practices, including requirements flow-down and interface management.
Responsibilities
Partner with the Photonic Systems Architect to translate system requirements into electrical and firmware specifications.
Define system communications topology and architecture, including data flow between subsystems.
Architect analog signal processing and control chains, managing noise and bandwidth budgets.
Define FPGA architecture and partitioning for real-time control and data acquisition.
Architect frequency-locking and servo control systems for laser stabilization.
Develop integration and verification strategies, including test plans and system-level characterization.
Lead troubleshooting across optical, electrical, and firmware boundaries, driving root cause analysis.
Benefits
Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
13 paid company holidays
9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)
Full Job Description
Join our fast-paced and passionate Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test team as a Principal Electrical and Firmware Systems Architect. You will own the electrical and firmware architecture of our laser and photonic systems, translating system-level photonic requirements into clear, testable requirements for every electrical and firmware element of the system, from communications and electronics infrastructure to analog signal processing, FPGA, and frequency-locking servo control. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll work on cutting-edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and build the engineering practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows:
Partner with the Photonic Systems Architect to decompose and flow down system requirements into electrical and firmware requirements, specifications, and acceptance criteria.
Define the system communications topology and architecture, including internal buses, controller hierarchy, external interfaces, timing, and data flow between subsystems and the host software.
Architect analog signal processing and control chains, including photodetection, signal conditioning, low-noise amplification, and data conversion, and own the associated noise and bandwidth budgets.
Define FPGA architecture and partitioning between FPGA, microcontroller, and host processing, including real-time control, data acquisition, and digital signal processing functions.
Architect frequency-locking and servo control systems for laser stabilization, including error-signal generation, loop design, bandwidth and stability analysis, and lock acquisition and recovery.
Define the electronics infrastructure, including power distribution, grounding, shielding, thermal management, cabling, and board and chassis-level partitioning.
Define and control electrical and firmware interfaces through interface control documents (ICDs), working directly with the photonics, mechanical, and software teams.
Develop integration and verification strategies, including test plans, requirements traceability, and system-level characterization on real hardware.
Lead system-level troubleshooting across the optical/electrical/firmware boundary, and drive root cause analysis and corrective action.
Present and defend electrical and firmware architecture and maturity at technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) to leadership and customers.
Drive design for manufacturability, testability, and reliability to support scalable production.
Mentor engineers and build a culture of technical rigor, ownership, and cross-functional collaboration.
Requirements
Please note: This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. a7 1324b(a)(3).
Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
Minimum 10 years of experience architecting, designing, and testing electronics and firmware for complex electro-optical, laser, or precision measurement systems.
Skills:
Demonstrated expertise in:
Communications topology and architecture for multi-board embedded systems
Low-noise analog signal processing and control electronics.
FPGA architecture and real-time digital signal processing.
Electronics infrastructure, including power, grounding, shielding, and thermal design.
