PSL R&D Engineer Senior

NMSU Conference Services; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico State University in Las Cruces seeks a Senior PSL R&D Engineer to develop and test advanced ground-to-air systems within the Space Aerospace department. This exempt, full-time role requires strong electronics design, firmware, and hardware integration skills, plus the ability to travel for flight operations and conferences.

Applicants should hold an Associate’s or Bachelor's degree with extensive relevant experience and be able to obtain a DoD clearance. U.S. citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree + 7 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years of relevant experience.
• U.S. citizen and ability to obtain a DoD clearance.

Responsibilities

• R&D Engineering develops and tests new technologies and products through applied research and innovation.

Skills

PCB Design

Circuit Design

Microcontrollers

FPGA

Power Systems

Testing & Debugging

Documentation

Customer Interface

Education

Associate’s degree + 7 years

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence OrCAD

Autodesk Inventor

SolidWorks

FEA

Job description

Position Details

• 503958


• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States


• Staff


• Staff Full-time


• Closing at: Aug 28 2026 - 23:55 MDT

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Department Contact: Brooke Yaksich, [e-mail]

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: Join the PSL Aerospace Team as an R&D Engineer III

Position Details

Position Title: PSL R&D Engineer Senior

College/Division: Physical Science Laboratory

Department: 470600-PSL SPACE AEROSPACE

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.00

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule

Job Duties and Responsibilities: R&D Engineering develops and tests new technologies and products through applied research and innovation.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: Associate’s Degree + 7 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor’s degree

• 5 years of relevant experience.

Equivalent Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in PCB Design: Schematic Capture, multi-layer layout, embedded and SMD electronics, low-noise sensor measurement, understanding grounding/shielding in isolated environments, power systems, and passive thermal management.


• Proficient with analog and digital circuit designs, power system/BMS/solar, bus architecture.


• Proficiency with standard EDA design tools, such as Altium Designer, Cadence OrCAD, and mechanical CAD software including Autodesk Inventor or SolidWorks, FEA methodology, for example. Familiarity with lab equipment ranging from Signal/Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, Function Generators, and Bench power supplies.


• Strong microcontroller, FPGA, and IDE environments; analog/digital IO, signal conditioning, various peripheral protocols; understanding and implementation into airborne flight systems and qualification testing.


• The candidate must possess strong design, coding, firmware, and debugging applications in various software languages. Software analysis, code analysis, requirements analysis, software review, identification of code metrics, system risk analysis, software reliability analysis, and best practices. Responsible for developing, testing, and documenting software that will be used to interface with multiple systems that together comprise the infrastructure used in a wide variety of advanced ground-to-air systems.


• Interface with customers, lead design reviews, participate in safety analysis and risk reduction, create/manage SOPs, and documentation processes.


• Familiar with lab equipment ranging from Signal/Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, Function Generators, Bench power supplies, Programmers, hand tools, and general machine shop equipment (additive and subtractive manufacturing)

Travel is required for flight operations and conferences.

Special Certification/Licensure

Must be a U.S. Citizen. Ability to obtain a DoD clearance and maintain clearance throughout employment. This position is subject to random drug testing in compliance with its drug-free workforce requirements.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.

Recruitment Summary: We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.

NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSU Global Campus Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.

NMSU Main Campus Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

Doña Ana Community College Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance.

Alamogordo Campus Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

Grants Campus NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

Special Instructions to Applicants

The electronic application is the *official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.

EEO Statement

New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Requesting an Accommodation

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and New Mexico State University policy, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply, interview, or complete onboarding for a position with New Mexico State University, or if you cannot use the online application system, please visit our Accessibility & Accommodations page to initiate an accommodation request