Senior/Principal Avionics Embedded Systems Electrical Engineer, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 117,500 - 235,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Generous vacation

Medical benefits

401k plan

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico is seeking a Senior/Principal Avionics Embedded Systems Electrical Engineer for an onsite role. You will design, develop, and test advanced embedded avionics for national security applications, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

The position emphasizes low-latency firmware, MPSoC interfaces, C/C++, RTOS, and rigorous verification, with opportunity for professional growth and DOE security clearance eligibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline with 5+ years of experience or equivalent.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DOE Q clearance.
• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering preferred.
• Strong problem-solving and teamwork skills.
• Experience with MPSoC architectures and peripherals (SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet).

Responsibilities

• Analyze and derive requirements from datasheets to define embedded system specs.
• Develop low-latency firmware/software for real-time operation.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to define system requirements.
• Develop real-time embedded software using C/C++ and RTOS.
• Lead design reviews and mentor junior engineers on best practices.
• Troubleshoot complex hardware/software integration with debugging tools.
• Stay updated with new technologies and industry trends.
• Onsite work required due to the job nature.

Skills

C/C++

RTOS

Embedded systems

DMA

Interrupt-driven

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Git

FPGA/SoC IDEs

Debug hardware

Job description

Senior/Principal Avionics Embedded Systems Electrical Engineer, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting‑edge work in a broad array of areas.

Benefits

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co‑workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions: 9/80, 4/10, part‑time, telecommuting (mix of onsite and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*
• World‑changing technologies. Life‑changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov
• *These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like

Ready to join a dynamic & diversely skilled team that solves significant issues for our nation's security? Are you passionate about advanced embedded computer systems, software, firmware, or testing of systems to ensure integrity of electronic components in support of our National Defense and security?

Department 5325, Flight Systems and Avionics is seeking a motivated, detail oriented, and creative Embedded Systems Engineer to join our dynamic engineering team. The position is ideal for individuals eager to design, develop, and create advanced electronic systems. You will work under the guidance of experienced engineers, contributing to the creation of innovative solutions while ensuring compliance with industry standards and safety regulations. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in computer or electrical engineering principles, excellent problem‑solving skills, and a passion for technology. The position offers an excellent opportunity for professional growth and development in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze and extract functional and electrical requirements from component datasheets (e.g., sensors, FPGA/ MPSoC, communication ICs) to develop comprehensive embedded system specifications.
• Design and implement embedded firmware and software optimized for low‑latency operation to meet timing constraints.
• Collaborate with electronic hardware engineers to define system hardware requirements.
• Develop and maintain real‑time embedded software using C/C++ and RTOS environments).
• Lead design reviews and mentor junior engineers on best practices for embedded system design, latency optimization, and hardware interfacing. Document all software design decisions, requirements traceability, and test results in compliance with industry standards.
• Troubleshoot complex hardware/software integration issues using debugging tools such as JTAG debuggers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers.
• Staying updated with the latest technologies, tools, and industry trends to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite.

Salary Range

$117,500 - $235,700

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Minimum Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline plus a minimum of 5 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.

Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q level security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate well in a multidisciplinary team of designers and test engineers.
• Outstanding verbal and written skills, including the ability to develop and present briefings that are clear and compelling.
• A minimum of 5 or more years of experience in embedded systems design.
• Experience working with MPSoC hardware architectures and peripheral interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, RS-422, Ethernet, or Highspeed backplane topologies).
• Proficient with embedded software development tools for FPGA/SoC processor architectures: IDEs, compilers, version control (Git), and debugging hardware, operating system device tree configuration.
• Demonstrated experience with SoC integration across the Processing System (PS) and Programmable Logic System (PL). Experience with Operating systems, and real‑time debugging techniques.
• Experience in latency‑sensitive embedded software design, including interrupt‑driven programming, DMA, and real‑time scheduling.

About Our Team

The Flight Systems and Avionics (5325) Department develops and delivers innovative advanced avionic flight components and systems in support of critical programs at Sandia National Laboratories. These avionics systems target multiple applications that include computing solutions for Vehicle Navigation, Pointing, Control, Hardware In The Loop testing, Specialized Radars and Hypersonic systems. Our department specializes in reconfigurable modular digital signal processing systems utilizing state‑of‑the‑art electronics, FPGA technology and general‑purpose microprocessors.

Posting Duration

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre‑employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matters if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug‑releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on‑site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.