Senior Embedded Systems Architect - HWIL & FPGA

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking a Senior Embedded Systems & Hardware-in-the-Loop Engineer to lead the architecture and implementation of complete embedded systems, custom electronics hardware, and real-time software for advanced sensors and defense technologies.

You will design FPGA firmware, PCB layouts, and real-time C++ software, and develop HWIL test systems for missile seekers and optical sensors.

Qualifications

• BS degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or related discipline with 8+ years of experience.
• MS degree with 10+ years of experience leading technical teams (preferred).
• Strong knowledge of modern C++ for real-time embedded systems.
• Extensive FPGA firmware design experience (VHDL/Verilog).
• Embedded Linux development including kernel programming and drivers.
• Experience with video/image processing systems and high-speed interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-disciplinary teams in architecting and developing complete embedded systems from concept through deployment.
• Design custom electronics including PCB layouts, FPGA firmware, and real-time C++ embedded software.
• Develop and integrate real-time HWIL test systems for advanced missile seekers and sensors.
• Design embedded systems around FPGA MPSoC platforms (Zynq UltraScale+) with carrier boards and PetaLinux.
• Implement real-time video/image processing pipelines using CUDA, OpenCV, GStreamer, and FPGA IP cores.
• Interface with sensors (IR/visible cameras, LiDAR) and develop MATLAB/Python analysis tools.
• Support field testing, lead design reviews, and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

C++ real-time

FPGA firmware (VHDL/Verilog)

Embedded systems

Linux kernel drivers

Video/image processing

MATLAB

Security clearance eligibility

Education

BS in computer/electrical engineering or CS

MS degree (preferred)

Tools

Xilinx Vivado

Intel Quartus

PetaLinux/Yocto

Job description

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking a Senior Embedded Systems & Hardware-in-the-Loop Engineer to lead the architecture and implementation of complete embedded systems, custom electronics hardware, and real-time software for advanced sensors and defense technologies.

You will design FPGA firmware, PCB layouts, and real-time C++ software, and develop HWIL test systems for missile seekers and optical sensors.