Electrical Engineer III

Kraken Kinetics; Pinehurst (NC); On-site; USD 115,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO policy

Comprehensive medical coverage

Vision & dental

Disability coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Company-paid life insurance

Great teammates and snacks

Job summary

Kraken Kinetics in Moore County, NC seeks an Electrical Engineer 3 to design, develop, and integrate embedded electrical systems within defense product lines. You will lead electrical design, validation, and PCB work with cross-functional teams to ensure performance, security, and reliability.

This on-site role offers a competitive salary range and relocation support to Pinehurst area; mentorship of junior engineers and opportunity to influence critical defense systems.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of electrical circuit design and embedded systems.
• Experience with PCB design tools and layout optimization.
• Familiarity with military standards such as MIL-STD-1316, MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-202.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers and lead sub-systems.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Electrical System Design & Development: Lead design, analysis, testing of electrical systems and components for ESADs and related systems.
• System Integration: Collaborate with mechanical, software, and systems engineers for seamless integration of electrical components.
• PCB Design & Layout: Own PCB design and layout with signal integrity, power distribution, and thermal management.
• Testing & Validation: Design and oversee electrical testing and qualification processes, including environmental and stress testing.
• Troubleshooting & Failure Analysis: Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Embedded systems programming (C/C++)

PCB design

Signal integrity

MIL-STD knowledge

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

Eagle

Job description

ABOUT KRAKEN KINETICS

Kraken Kinetics designs and manufactures advanced kinetic solutions that enable modern warfighting capabilities for the United States Armed Forces and its allies. We specialize in mission-tailored warheads and firing systems for unmanned and autonomous weapon platforms, delivering production-ready solutions at speed to address urgent national security challenges.

Our team brings decades of specialized Department of War experience across the full lifecycle of kinetic system development—from concept and design through testing, manufacturing, and operational deployment. Built on a foundation of work that helped lead the DoW into the era of kinetic drones, Kraken Kinetics combines commercial agility with deep technical expertise to deliver DEFINITIVE LETHALITY™when it matters most.

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a highly skilled Electrical Engineer 3 to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain embedded software for Kraken's kinetic systems and components. Your work will involve collaborating with cross-functional teams, contributing to software development, and ensuring the highest levels of performance, reliability, and security in embedded systems.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

Location:

On-site at our Pinehurst-area location

As an Electrical Engineer 3, you will be responsible for the design, development, and integration of embedded electrical systems within Kraken Kinetics’ defense product systems. You will ensure that all systems meet stringent performance, security, and reliability requirements.

• Electrical System Design & Development: Lead the design, analysis, and testing of electrical systems and components for ESADs, and related systems, ensuring compliance with military and industry standards

• System Integration: Collaborate with mechanical, software, and systems engineers to ensure seamless integration of electrical components into complex systems, including hardware interfaces and communications protocols.

• PCB Design & Layout: Take ownership of PCB design and layout processes, ensuring proper signal integrity, power distribution, and thermal management in line with system requirements

• Testing & Validation: Design and oversee electrical testing and qualification processes for systems and components, including environmental testing, stress testing, and failure analysis

• Troubleshooting & Failure Analysis: Conduct troubleshooting and root cause analysis on electrical systems, recommending and implementing corrective actions to resolve issues

• Documentation & Reporting: Create and maintain detailed technical documentation, including design specifications, test plans, and failure analysis reports. Ensure proper revision control and adherence to documentation standards

• Compliance & Standards: Ensure designs comply with relevant MIL-STDs, industry standards (e.g., IEC, IPC), and internal company guidelines. Stay current on changes to industry standards and regulatory requirements

• Mentorship & Leadership: Mentor and guide junior engineers, providing technical support and overseeing the progress of electrical engineering projects. Lead smaller projects or sub-systems

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Participate in cross-functional design reviews, ensuring that electrical, mechanical, and software systems work together efficiently. Provide technical insights and recommendations during design and review stages

• Field Support: Provide technical support during assembly, testing, and deployment of prototypes and production systems. Support field installations and troubleshooting of electrical systems in operational environments

• Continuous Improvement: Lead efforts to improve existing electrical systems, components, and processes by researching new technologies and proposing system upgrades or improvements

• Schematic Development: Lead the development of schematics, wiring diagrams, and PCB layouts for embedded systems

• Testing and Troubleshooting: Conduct electrical testing and troubleshooting of hardware systems, ensuring compliance with safety and performance standards, and project requirements

• Engineering Documentation: Development of electrical interface control documents (ICDs), design specifications, testing procedures, failure analysis reports, and other engineering documentation

• Prototyping: Lead the manufacturing and assembly of prototypes, including generating and conducting testing and qualification processes and procedures

• Debugging & Troubleshooting: Conduct debugging, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis of embedded system issues. Implement fixes and improvements to ensure system stability and reliability

• Revision Control: Maintain and supervise the revision control of electrical design documents, ensuring version integrity and proper documentation of changes throughout the development process

QUALIFICATIONS

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on embedded systems.

• Professional Experience: 3–5 years of experience in electrical engineering, preferably in the defense, aerospace, or related high-reliability industries., with a demonstrated ability to meet programmatic requirements and schedule. Proven experience with designing and developing embedded systems and hardware for military or safety-critical applications

• Technical Skills:

  • Strong understanding of electrical circuit design, analog and digital systems, and embedded systems. Familiarity with PCB design tools (e.g., Altium, Eagle).

  • Experience with signal integrity analysis, power management, and thermal design for high-performance systems.

  • Familiarity with electrical testing equipment (e.g., oscilloscopes, signal generators, power supplies, multimeters).

  • Proficient in failure analysis techniques and reliability testing.

  • Experience with embedded systems programming (e.g., C, C++ for microcontrollers) and interfacing with software.

  • Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a team environment.

  • Advanced knowledge of embedded systems and microcontroller applications.

  • Ability to read, interpret, and generate electrical schematics and technical drawings.

  • Extensive experience with debugging tools and techniques such as JTAG, in-circuit emulators, and benchtop testing.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to resolve complex technical issues.

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical material to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Collaboration: Excellent teamwork and communication skills, with experience working in cross-functional teams.

• Preferred MIL-STD Compliance: Familiarity with military standards, including MIL-STD-1316, MIL-STD-810, and MIL-STD-202, as well as industry standards such as IPC-2221, to ensure adherence to best practices in embedded system development and system integration

SALARY & BENEFITS

Kraken Kinetics is committed to offering a competitive compensation package to attract and retain top talent. This full-time, exempt position offers a salary range of $115,000 to $165,000 annually depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits included:

• Generous PTO policy

• Comprehensive medical coverage (80% company-paid for employee + dependents).

• Vision & dental (100% company-paid)

• Short and long-term disability coverage (100% company-paid)

• Generous 401(k) retirement plan

• Company-paid life insurance

• Great teammates and well stocked snacks

LIFE IN MOORE COUNTY, NC (PINEHURST AREA)

Kraken Kinetics is based in Moore County, North Carolina, home to Pinehurst, a nationally recognized destination offering an exceptional quality of life.

Employees benefit from a low cost of living, minimal congestion, and a strong sense of community, with easy access to larger metropolitan areas, including Raleigh-Durham.

Whether you're looking to accelerate your career or put down long-term roots, the Pinehurst area offers a compelling alternative to traditional tech and defense hubs.

We are committed to supporting relocation for the right candidates.

Watch what it’s like to live here:
[ Video Link]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Kraken Kinetics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applicants of all backgrounds.