Embedded Systems Engineer

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