Electrical Engineer – Embedded Circuit Design Engineer

CFD Research Corporation; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Medical, vision, dental insurance

Job summary

CFD Research Corporation seeks an Electrical Engineer to design and implement advanced embedded hardware for aerospace and military systems. The role emphasizes microcontroller-based circuits, high-speed interfaces, and robust PCB layouts in a fast-paced R&D environment.

You will collaborate with firmware engineers to ensure seamless HW/SW integration and support prototype builds while adhering to AS9100 and MIL-STD requirements.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering required; strong embedded hardware design experience.
• Experience with multilayer PCB design and signal integrity considerations.
• Proficient in schematic capture and PCB layout tools; familiarity with aerospace/military docs.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of embedded electronic circuits based on microcontrollers and mixed-signal components.
• Architect and implement high-speed and low-speed interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, USB).
• Perform schematic capture and guide multilayer PCB layout for signal integrity and manufacturability.
• Use SPICE-based tools for circuit simulation and validation.
• Implement EMI/ESD controls per aerospace standards; generate design documentation.

Skills

Embedded hardware

Microcontroller design

PCB design

Signal integrity

Schematic capture

DFM/DFT

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

Mentor Graphics

KiCad

Job description

About CFD Research: Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has delivered innovative technology solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, Intelligence & Sensing, and Energy & Materials industries. CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative component/system technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. Based in Huntsville, Alabama where laboratory facilities and headquarters are located, CFD Research also has office and laboratory facilities in Dayton, Ohio, prototyping test and evaluation facilities in Hollywood, Alabama, and office facilities in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. CFD Research is an ISO9001:AS9100D registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for Services. CFD Research is a 100% ESOP (employee-owned company) recognized in Inc. Magazine's Inc5000 as a top growing company for four of the last five years. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com

We are seeking a highly capable Electrical Engineer with strong expertise in embedded hardware design, microcontroller based circuit development, high speed and low speed communication interfaces, and multilayer PCB design.

This role involves architecting and implementing advanced electronic hardware for aerospace and military systems while adhering to strict environmental, reliability, and quality standards such as AS9100, MIL STD 810, and MIL STD 461.

The ideal candidate is an analytical thinker and hands on designer who thrives in a fast paced R&D environment—tackling complex design challenges, integrating hardware and firmware, and leveraging practical engineering skills along with advanced simulation, modeling, and problem solving capabilities to produce robust, high quality electronics for mission critical applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of embedded electronic circuits based on microcontrollers, processors, and mixed signal components
• Architect and implement communication interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, RS 485, Ethernet, USB, etc.)
• Perform schematic capture and guide multilayer PCB layout to ensure signal integrity, controlled impedance, noise mitigation, and manufacturability
• Utilize SPICE based tools for early stage circuit simulation and validation
• Implement EMI/ESD controls aligned with aerospace and mil spec requirements
• Generate engineering documentation consistent with AS9100 quality expectations, including design reports, BOMs, test procedures, and configuration controlled artifacts
• Support compliance and qualification per military and aerospace standards including AS9100, MIL STD 461, MIL STD 464, MIL STD 810, MIL STD 704, and similar standards
• Conduct design reviews, debug hardware issues, perform root cause analyses, and support prototype build activities
• Collaborate closely with embedded firmware engineers to ensure seamless hardware software integration
• Support wire harness design activities including connector pinouts, routing considerations, and electrical interface documentation
• Interface with mechanical teams; occasional use of SolidWorks for enclosure integration or mechanical electrical interface considerations (preferred)

Required Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering
• Strong understanding of microcontroller based hardware design, digital logic, mixed signal circuit design, and power distribution for embedded systems
• Experience designing multilayer PCBs with attention to signal integrity, return paths, EMI/ESD considerations, and DFM/DFT principles
• Proficiency with schematic capture and layout tools (Altium, Mentor, KiCad, etc.)
• Understanding of high speed and low speed communication interfaces and their electrical requirements
• Familiarity with aerospace/military documentation, traceability, and structured engineering workflows
• Hands on experience with electronics lab equipment for testing and verification, including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies, electronic loads, network analyzers, multimeters, function generators, and soldering/rework tools
• Candidate must be a U.S. Citizen and possess the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering with specialization in embedded systems, electronics design, or digital hardware
• Experience with electromagnetic and thermal simulation tools such as Ansys or similar
• Experience with SolidWorks or similar MCAD design tools
• Background in aerospace, defense, or high reliability product development
• Experience in high speed digital design, controlled impedance routing, and signal integrity analysis
• Embedded firmware experience, including C/C++, RTOS development, driver development, and hardware software integration
• Experience bringing up microcontroller boards, configuring peripherals, writing bootloaders, or developing test firmware
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality processes, configuration management systems, and structured documentation workflows

Desired Attributes

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Clear communication and technical writing ability
• Ability to work both independently and within multidisciplinary teams
• Passion for innovation and mission oriented engineering

Multiple locations:

This role can be based at our CFD Research office in Dayton, OH (PREFERRED location), or our office in Huntsville, AL and Hollywood, AL will also be considered. This role is 100% onsite.

Benefits:

• Competitive salaries and excellent employee benefits, including an employer matching 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• Full-Time, permanent employee-owners receive a highly competitive insurance package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• Company paid leave, compensation time, parental leave, long-term and short-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, and life insurance.
• Part-Time and Temporary employee-owners may receive partial or reduced benefits and leave time based on their employment status level.
• Performance appraisals occur twice a year and annual pay increases are based upon corporate goals, personal development, performance, and outstanding achievements.
• Group and individual bonuses are awarded for exceptional performance.

CFD Research is an EO employer - Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories