Electrical Engineer – Embedded Circuit Design Engineer

CFD Research Corporation; Hollywood (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Paid leave and disability

Job summary

CFD Research Corporation is seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer to design embedded hardware for aerospace and military systems. You will architect and implement high-speed and mixed-signal circuits, work with multilayer PCBs, and ensure reliability under AS9100 and MIL-STD environments.

The role emphasizes hardware-software integration, simulation, and collaboration with firmware teams to deliver robust electronics for mission-critical applications.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering with emphasis on embedded hardware design and power distribution.
• Experience with multilayer PCB design, signal integrity, EMI/ESD considerations, and DFM/DFT principles.
• Understanding of high-speed interfaces and their electrical requirements.
• Familiarity with aerospace/military documentation and AS9100 quality processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of embedded electronic circuits using MCUs and processors.
• Architect and implement interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, USB, RS-485).
• Oversee schematic capture and multilayer PCB layout for manufacturability and signal integrity.
• Perform circuit simulation and validation using SPICE-based tools.
• Support EMI/ESD controls and AS9100 quality artifacts.
• Collaborate with firmware engineers for hardware/software integration.
• Coordinate with mechanical teams for enclosure/interface considerations.

Skills

Embedded hardware design

High/low speed interfaces

Signal integrity concepts

Hardware-software integration

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

MS/PhD in EE (preferred)

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.

CFD Research offers competitive salaries and excellent employee benefits, including an employer matching 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). CFD Research offers our Full-Time, permanent employee-owners a highly competitive insurance package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance. Additionally, we offer 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. In addition, group and individual bonuses are awarded for exceptional performance.

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