Linguist

SGS Consulting; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SGS Consulting seeks an experienced hardware prototyping engineer to design, build, and validate multi-disciplinary prototype systems spanning mechanical, electrical, and software domains.

You will integrate subsystems, debug hardware and firmware, and collaborate across optical, mechanical, and software teams to turn research concepts into working prototypes with robust processes and AI-assisted data workflows.

Qualifications

• Hands-on hardware prototyping and systems integration experience.

Responsibilities

• Independently identify technical gaps and design, build, and integrate multi-disciplinary prototype systems spanning mechanical, electrical, and software domains.

Skills

Hardware prototyping

Systems integration

Electrical debugging

Software debugging

AR/VR display knowledge

Python scripting

C/C++ programming

PCB rework

Lab instrumentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or equivalent

Tools

Multimeter

Oscilloscope

Logic analyzer

ADB

UART/serial

JTAG

Shell scripting

Python

C/C++

Job description

Job Responsibilities

• Independently identify technical gaps and take initiative to design, build, and integrate multi-disciplinary prototype systems spanning mechanical, electrical, and software domains.
• Integrate and validate subsystems (optical, electrical, mechanical, firmware) into cohesive prototype assemblies, ensuring proper communication and functionality across interfaces.
• Debug hardware and firmware issues using lab instrumentation including multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and power supplies to isolate root causes at the electrical level.
• Perform software-level debugging through tools such as ADB, serial consoles, and log analysis to troubleshoot embedded systems and device firmware.
• Develop GUIs and streamline bring-up processes with AI practices.
• Develop and maintain test fixtures, jigs, and custom tooling to support prototype builds, alignment, and validation.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to translate research concepts into working prototype hardware.
• Develop and document assembly processes, integration procedures, and debug workflows to enable repeatable prototype builds.
• Proactively identify risks and propose solutions during prototype bring-up, driving issues to resolution with minimal oversight.
• Support AR display system hardware integration and process development, including optical alignment, metrology, and functional testing.
• Leveraged AI methods for data analysis, data visualization, and process development.
• Develop AI model skills and recipesDesign, develop, and maintain multi-agent AI infrastructure and automated data pipelines.
• Integrate AI agents with enterprise platforms using APIs and serverless platforms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (product, design, operations, infrastructure) to build innovative AI-native application experiences.
• Build and integrate LLM / generative AI capabilities into product surfaces, including prompt engineering, structured prompting, and context management.
• Troubleshoot display hardware and firmware/software issues.

Skills

• Hands-on hardware prototyping and systems integration experience with demonstrated ability to independently build and debug multi-disciplinary systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proficiency with electrical debugging tools (multimeter, oscilloscope, logic analyzer) and software debugging tools (ADB, serial consoles, log analysis).
• Cross-disciplinary knowledge spanning mechanical, electrical, and software systems with ability to integrate subsystems and troubleshoot interface issues.
• Experience with AR/VR display systems, optical alignment, or metrology.
• Scripting/programming ability (Python, C/C++, shell) for test automation, data collection, or embedded systems work.
• Experience with PCB rework, schematic reading, and firmware debugging environments.

Education/Experience:

• 6+ years of hands-on experience in hardware prototyping, systems integration, or lab engineering, OR a relevant advanced degree + 3 years equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a self-starter: identifying problems, proposing solutions, and driving projects forward with minimal direction.
• Working knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, and software) with the ability to understand how subsystems interact.
• Proficiency with electrical debug tools including multimeters, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers for signal integrity and power analysis.
• Experience with embedded systems debugging using tools such as ADB, UART/serial consoles, JTAG, or similar interfaces.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with hardware, firmware, and software teams to deliver integrated prototype systems.
• Experience with AR/VR or display system prototyping, including optical alignment and metrology.
• Familiarity with PCB design review, schematic reading, and basic soldering/rework for prototype modification.
• Experience with scripting or automation (Python, shell scripting) to support test, data collection, or process automation.
• Experience with test/debug automationExperience with latest AI tooling (eg: Claude, Codex, Gemini, etc.)Hands-on experience with mechanical assembly, including torque-sensitive and precision-alignment operations.Familiarity with firmware development environments, embedded Linux, or RTOS-based systems.Experience building and maintaining lab infrastructure, test systems, or custom instrumentation.