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.
RequirementsPlease 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.
- Frequency-locking techniques and servo controller design (e.g., PDH, PID, lock-in detection).
- Proven track record of architecting and delivering high-reliability electronics and firmware from development through production.
- Strong command of systems engineering practices, including requirements flow-down, interface management, and design reviews.
- Proficiency with embedded firmware development (C/C++) and HDL (VHDL or Verilog).
- Hands-on lab skills with oscilloscopes, spectrum and network analyzers, and noise characterization.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills with demonstrated ability to drive technical decisions across teams.
- Experience with laser systems, photonics, quantum systems, or precision metrology is a strong plus.
- Experience with EMC, environmental testing, or qualification is a plus
Startup Mindset:
- You're creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats.
- You're passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.
BenefitsThe expected annual salary range for this position is $175,000-$225,000.
As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch's comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
- 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)
