Principal Electrical R&d Test Engineer

Saronic · Defense · Austin, TX · Engineering

Seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer for R&D Test Team to improve multi-disciplinary systems and lead development of new autonomous vehicle concepts and prototypes. Responsibilities include engineering, designing, building, and testing mechanical, electrical, electronic, and software systems for autonomous vehicles. The role requires applying advanced engineering principles, conducting applied research, leading integration and testing efforts, and identifying system improvements. Experience with electrical schematics, simulations, PCB design, networking, sensor data acquisition, and software skills (Rust, C++, Linux, Python) is required.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead engineering, design, and prototype development of electro-mechanical systems and software for autonomous vehicles and related devices and subsystems
  2. Conduct applied research, document findings, and present reports to internal stakeholders
  3. Lead integration of electro-mechanical systems and software into fully integrated systems
  4. Lead proof of concept, functionality, and reliability testing of components, sub-systems, and fully integrated systems
  5. Identify trends in runtime and failures of ASV components, subsystems, and systems through continual analysis of expansive datasets

Skills

Required

  • BS or MS in electrical engineering, robotics engineering, mechatronics engineering, or similar
  • 16+ years of relevant experience
  • Strong understanding and skills in engineering fundamentals, best practices, and analysis methods including analytical first principles, numerical methods, and simulation modeling
  • Extensive experience operating, maintaining, diagnosing, testing, and repairing electrical and electro-mechanical systems
  • Power calculations, analysis, measurement, low voltage, 3-phase AC
  • Electrical schematic development and usage
  • SPICE based circuit simulations or equivalent
  • PCB design and development experience
  • Networking: ethernet, CAN J1939, serial
  • Sensor and data acquisition
  • Software skills including Rust, C/C++, Linux, Python
  • Ability to work in collaborative or independent environments and lead technical efforts

Nice to have

  • Experience designing and validating electrical systems for autonomous, robotic, or complex vehicle platforms
  • Experience leading system integration of electrical, mechanical, and software subsystems into fully functional platforms
  • Experience developing test plans, procedures, and validation strategies for complex systems
  • Experience operating and troubleshooting systems in laboratory, field, or marine environments
  • Experience working in marine, defense, aerospace, automotive, or other harsh or mission-critical environments
  • Experience generating and reviewing engineering drawings, electrical schematics, bill of materials, and work instructions
  • Experience evaluating and selecting components, vendors, and technologies for performance, reliability, and manufacturability
  • Familiarity with environmental and ruggedization considerations (e.g., shock, vibration, thermal, EMI/EMC)
  • Experience mentoring engineers or technicians and guiding technical work streams
  • Experience with electrical engineering simulation tools and system-level analysis methods

What the JD emphasized

  • extensive experience operating, maintaining, diagnosing, testing, and repairing electrical and electro-mechanical systems