Hardware Engineer

ARA; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented Hardware Engineer to join their innovative team. This role focuses on supporting R&D projects that involve cutting-edge hardware and sensor technologies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in electrical engineering, with expertise in design, fabrication, and assembly of complex systems. You'll work closely with a diverse team of scientists and engineers to enhance national security tools, ensuring your contributions have a meaningful impact. If you're passionate about technology and eager to innovate, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Professional development opportunities

Flexible work environment

Health and wellness programs

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in hardware engineering with a focus on R&D.
• Expertise in Solidworks and PCB design tools.
• Hands-on experience with analog electronics and mechanical fabrication.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware and sensor R&D projects ensuring timely completion.
• Support interdisciplinary teams in developing modeling tools.
• Design and fabricate mechanical and electronic systems.

Skills

Solidworks 3D mechanical design

KiCad

Microcap 12

Analog electronics

Vector Network Analyzers

High Speed Oscilloscope

CNC Lathe/Mill operations

Python programming

C programming

C++ programming

Java programming

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

LabView

National Instruments hardware

General-purpose test equipment

Job description

The Capabilities, Analysis and Development (CAD) division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) has an outstanding opportunity for a Hardware Engineer. The qualified candidate will support hardware and sensor R&D projects that utilize skills in design, fabrication and assembly. The candidate will support ongoing projects that would utilize their skills in digital / analog electronics and mechanical hardware design, fabrication, prototyping, and final assembly. The right person will act as a technical lead to ensure tasks are completed on schedule and budget. This candidate will support interdisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers developing and enhancing the nation’s modeling and simulation tools used to model high energy weapons effects in support of national security and warfighter needs.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be a US Citizen
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or similar with 8 – 10 years of experience OR 15+ years of experience in lieu of a degree
• Expert user with:
  • Solidworks 3D mechanical design and simulation software
  • KiCad (or similar) Printed Circuit Board schematic capture and layout
  • Microcap 12 (or similar) electrical design and simulation software
• Hands on experience with Analog
• Expert user of general-purpose test equipment such as:
  • Vector Network Analyzers
  • Time Domain Reflectometry
  • High Speed Oscilloscope use (>5 GS/s)
  • High Speed Data Acquisition systems (>1MS/s)
  • Spectrum Analyzer
  • Signal Generator
• Hands on experience with manual / CNC Lathe / Mill operations, MIG, TIG and SMAW welding (ferrous, stainless and aluminum)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current and active DoD security clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or similar with 10-12 years of experience OR 20+ years of experience in lieu of a degree
• Expert with LabView and National Instruments hardware
• Familiarity with high voltage/pulsed power generation and characterization measurements
• Ability to hand solder surface mount technology components
• Ability to interpret and process collected data and using interpreted languages similar but not limited to Python or MATLAB
• Willing and able to learn and apply programming in Python, C, C++, Java
• Experience with CAD/CAM and ability to generate toolpaths and create parts internally or interface with external fabrication vendors
• Able to work effectively in an off, laboratory, shop and field environments

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2000 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership fosters greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com .

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the Hardware Engineer position.

Qualifications Education

Preferred

Bachelors

Experience

Required 8 years

Relevant work experience

Behaviors

Required

Team Player : Works well as a member of a group

Leader : Inspires teammates to follow them

Innovative : Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Functional Expert : Considered a thought leader on a subject

Enthusiastic : Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Detail Oriented : Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Dedicated : Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

Required

Self-Starter : Inspired to perform without outside help

Growth Opportunities : Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility

Goal Completion : Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks

Entrepreneurial Spirit : Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.