What Jobs are available for Hardware Engineers in the United States?

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you'll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) staff couple the latest in information system technologies, such as elastic compute clouds, containerization, microservices, real-time operating systems, and visualization frameworks, with expertise in cyber security, software architecture, software engineering, data science, Artificial Intelligence, process improvement, and software development to deliver responsive, resilient, high-performance software intensive systems to our Intelligence Community, DoD, and civilian customers.

The Embedded and Specialized Computing Department (ESCD) is seeking an
Embedded Systems Engineer
(Sr MTS/Engineering Specialist – Computer Engineering)
to perform research and development activities towards innovative hardware and software prototypes in areas such as high performance and accelerated computing and AI/ML implementation at the edge. These prototypes and resulting lessons learned are crucial for advancing the capability of the next generation of satellites, thus ensuring the United States' continued dominance in space. Members of this team provide design and implementation support to a wide range of customers including the Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC), the Space Development Agency (SDA), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and other civil customers (e.g. NASA).

This is a full-time position based in either El Segundo, CA, or Chantilly, VA, which is 100% onsite.

What You'll Be Doing
You will utilize your extensive embedded systems domain knowledge to perform research, develop embedded prototypes, and perform hands-on development to enable technology gains for the country's defense and intelligence communities.

• Design embedded solutions for the evaluation of novel space-based processors, state-of-the-art on-board processing systems, and data exploitation via artificial intelligence
• Rapidly design and test embedded compute prototypes utilizing FPGAs, SoCs, application specific accelerators, MCUs, and other emerging processors
• Deliver embedded solutions in the areas of accelerated processing, AI at the edge, and/or small satellites
• Work in partnership with Aerospace Corporation scientists to evaluate and test the radiation susceptibility of embedded processors and determine appropriate mitigations
• Propose and execute on research projects based on emerging technologies to advance the department's product and knowledge lines
• Proactively interact with internal and external customers by presenting project status, technical findings and technical demonstrations

What You Need To Be Successful
Minimum Requirements for the Senior Member of Technical Staff – Computer Engineering

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related STEM field
• 4 or more years of direct experience in designing embedded systems (hardware and software)
• Deep technical expertise with hands on experience in at least two of the following areas: embedded systems, edge AI, FPGA design, software development.
• Experience with leading hardware platforms and tool suites (e.g., AMD/Xilinx, Altera, Microchip, STMicroelectronics)
• Proficiency with common embedded interfaces (such as I2C, SPI, GPIO, UART, etc.)
• Willing to travel domestically up to 10%
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Engineering Specialist – Computer Engineering include
:

• 8 years of direct experience in designing embedded systems (hardware and software)
• Experience presenting deep technical content to both peers and external customers
• Demonstrated experience identifying opportunities, leading proposals, and executing awarded projects to completion.

How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• Experience collaborating across hardware and software teams, especially in projects that bridge heterogeneous computing (CPU, FPGA, GPU) and embedded system solutions
• Experience implementing AI/ML algorithms on embedded platforms
• Experience leveraging high-level synthesis (HLS) to accelerate and deploy algorithms on FPGAs
• Previous experience designing electronics for space applications
• Active Top-Secret clearance

We offer a competitive compensation package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$100,300 - $175,900

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies
Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees
During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.
A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment
The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you're an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at or by email at . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

• Work with the team to evaluate/specify proper MCU's and associated circuitry for module control and communication to meet industry spec and customer requirements by working with module design and verification teams.
• Assist in the design and maintain firmware architecture and II-VI module trunk code including proprietary OS, module control/communication applications, device drivers, for best performance
• Collaborate internally to develop solutions for addressing key requirement such as time critical communications, efficient digital signal processor interface, and mission-critical hardware controls.
• Help improve firmware development processes and code management systems for firmware quality control.
• Design and improve the workflow of module firmware configuration mechanisms, regression tests, and production preparation.
• Support marketing, sales, and FAE in solving production and customer field issues.
• Support embedded systems architecture, code base development, managing firmware development life cycle, and most importantly great business results.

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent field
• Masters degree or higher degree preferred.

• Proficient oral and written communication skills within an organization and with industry.
• Demonstrated success in coordinating, influencing, and organizing designs with cross function teams within an engineering department.
• Experience in software design and significant coding practice.
• Experience in ARM Cortex family MCUs and DSP processors.
• Experience with I2C, and SPI protocols.
• Experience with ADC's and DAC's.
• Proficient in C/C++ and assembly.
• Experience in optical transceiver design and implementation is a plus.

• This position is on-site
• May require occasional off-site meetings or travel
• Regular use of a computer and other office equipment is necessary
• Interaction with team members and external contacts is a regular part of the job
• May require occasional overtime and flexibility in work hours to accommodate the executive's needs

• Sitting for extended periods while working on a computer or conducting meetings.
• Use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents.
• Occasional lifting of objects or materials up to 20 pounds for administrative tasks.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Mobility within the office environment to attend meetings or interact with colleagues.

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

I ntegrity - Create an Environment of Trust

C ollaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

A ccountability - Own the Process and the Outcome

R espect - Recognize the Value in Everyone

E nthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at .Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.Job Summary: Coherent is searching for a motivated embedded systems engineer with some experience in firmware/hardware design and development for our leading-edge optical transceivers.