Electrical Test Engineer, Advanced Sensors

Socket.dev; Malibu (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

HRL Laboratories is advancing compact, high‑performance MEMS IMUs for navigation in automotive, aerospace and defense. This role emphasizes system‑level validation, test planning and ensuring release readiness through rigorous test coverage.

You will collaborate across teams to ensure requirements flow down, document readiness for production, and prepare prototypes for external evaluation. A strong hardware background and hands‑on testing experience are essential, with US citizenship and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, or related field.
• 3+ years of hands-on electronics experience.
• Experience managing production and test documentation and requirements validation.
• Knowledge of fundamental electrical engineering and circuit design.
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, or similar.
• Experience using test equipment (e.g. VNA, TDR, oscilloscope).
• Strong hardware fundamentals (analog, digital, mixed signal, power) and embedded firmware.
• Excellent oral and written communication; ability to work in a team or independently.

Responsibilities

• Develop system level validation by defining test plans, developing pass/fail criteria, and ensuring release readiness through robust test coverage and reproducible results.
• Partner cross functionally to ensure requirements flow down, system integration readiness, and technical documentation needed for smooth transition to low-rate production.
• Maintain configuration control, support engineering change processes, and prepare prototypes and early production IMUs for external evaluation and qualification.
• Perform testing, characterization, and assembly of advanced electronic and hardware assemblies.
• Analyze, report and present test results to technical staff and management.
• Operate electronic test equipment to verify, evaluate, and troubleshoot instrumentation systems and components.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

LabVIEW

Test equipment

Hardware fundamentals

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, or related field

Tools

Altium Designer

Xilinx Vivado

UltraScale architectures

ASIC platforms

Job description

HRL Laboratories pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers – ready for real-world application. For more than 70 years, HRL’s rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other – often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways. As a private company owned jointly by Boeing and GM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art.

HRL Laboratories advances critical structural and functional materials and semiconductor devices that enable precision navigation, quantum technologies and extreme-environment performance. With expertise from design through deployment, we deliver scalable, high-performance solutions that transform our customers’ missions. Our work leverages digital manufacturing and scalable microfabrication techniques to meet tomorrow’s toughest challenges.

Position Summary:

HRL's compact, high-performance MEMS IMUs are revolutionizing navigation systems by delivering reliable guidance in GPS-degraded environments. Engineered with navigation-grade precision, these IMUs provide a cost-effective and scalable solution for automotive, aerospace, and other demanding applications where traditional GPS reliance falls short.
These innovations aim to deliver a first-of-its-kind navigation-grade product that combines reliability, precision, and affordability. By offering a viable alternative to traditional IMUs, HRL's MEMS technology is advancing the capabilities of autonomous systems and enabling precise navigation in challenging environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop system level validation by defining test plans, developing pass/fail criteria, and ensuring release readiness through robust test coverage and reproducible results
• Partner cross functionally to ensure requirements flow down, system integration readiness, and technical documentation needed for smooth transition to low-rate production
• Maintain configuration control, support engineering change processes, and prepare prototypes and early production IMUs for external evaluation and qualification
• Perform testing, characterization, and assembly of advanced electronic and hardware assemblies
• Analyze, report and present test results to technical staff and management
• Operate electronic test equipment to verify, evaluate, and troubleshoot instrumentation systems and components

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering, Electronics Technology, Physics, or related field
• 3+ years of related hands-on electronics experience
• Experience managing production and test documentation as well as requirements validation and artifact production
• Knowledge of fundamental electrical engineering and circuit design principles
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, or similar for data analysis and automation
• Experience using test equipment (e.g. VNA, TDR, oscilloscope)
• Strong hardware fundamentals (analog, digital, mixed signal, power) and understanding of how they interact with embedded firmware
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work well in a team and independently

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with IMU or MEMS development, including prototype bring up, and performance validation
• Experience with IMU test equipment (vibration systems, shock testers, rate tables, centrifuges, thermal chambers) and test automation/instrumentation interfaces
• Hands-on experience with GNC integration, test and evaluation
• Proficiency in use of computers, engineering workstations, electronic equipment, oral and written communication, interaction with vendors/colleagues and willingness to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Experience with Xilinx Vivado, UltraScale architectures, or ASIC platforms
• Experience reading schematic designs using tools like Altium Designer

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift moderate sized test equipment and climb ladders and scaffolding

Special Requirements:

• US Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay Range: $128,000 - $159,950
• Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process
• Benefits: HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment
• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: https://www.hrl.com/careers/benefits

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

For our privacy policy please visit: www.hrl.com/privacy