Senior System Engineer

HRL Laboratories, LLC; Malibu (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life insurance

401K match

Gym facilities

PTO

Sick time

Upward mobility

Job summary

HRL Laboratories, LLC is seeking a senior IMU development engineer to lead end-to-end evaluation and characterization of MEMS IMUs for navigation-grade performance in GPS-degraded environments. You will mature hardware and firmware, drive test automation in Python/ MATLAB, and collaborate across hardware, firmware, and systems teams to deliver robust prototypes and transition plans for production.

The role is based in Malibu, CA, with strong emphasis on reproducible results, data-driven

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field.
• 7+ years owning sensor development, DSP, hardware/firmware integration, validation, and schematic-level design.
• 4+ years managing production/test documentation and artifact production.
• Strong understanding of inertial sensor performance and filtering/compensation.
• Experience with IMU test equipment and test automation interfaces.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, or similar for data analysis and automation.
• Embedded firmware expertise, RTOS concepts, HAL/bare metal drivers, and bring-up.
• Knowledge of Git-based version control, code reviews, CI/CD, and testing.
• Experience with microcontrollers/SoCs, ADCs/DACs, and serial interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, Ethernet).

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end IMU evaluation and characterization for prototyping and sustainment.
• Define and execute characterization strategies across environmental and dynamic conditions.
• Analyze performance data, identify drivers, validate models, and investigate anomalies.
• Develop operational firmware to align sensor behavior with system goals; support bring-up and debugging.
• Drive sustaining activities, including hardware/firmware debug, yield trends, and improvements.
• Develop lab infrastructure and scripts for evaluation and validation; build automation in Python/MATLAB/Simulink.
• Lead system-level validation with test plans, pass/fail criteria, and reproducible results.
• Collaborate cross-functionally for requirements flow and transition to production.
• Maintain configuration control and prepare prototypes for external evaluation.

Skills

Sensor development

Digital signal processing

Hardware/firmware integration

Performance validation

Embedded C/C++

Python

Git

RTOS concepts

Test equipment

MATLAB

LabVIEW

CAN / Ethernet interfaces

Microcontrollers/SoCs

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in relevant field

Tools

Xilinx Vivado

Altium Designer

ASIC platforms

Job description

HRL's compact, high-performance MEMS IMUs are revolutionizing navigation systems by delivering reliable guidance in GPS-degraded environments. Engineered with navigation-grade precision, these IMUs provide a cost-effective and scalable solution for automotive, aerospace, and other demanding applications where traditional GPS reliance falls short.

These innovations aim to deliver a first-of-its-kind navigation-grade product that combines reliability, precision, and affordability. By offering a viable alternative to traditional IMUs, HRL's MEMS technology is advancing the capabilities of autonomous systems and enabling precise navigation in challenging environments.

• Lead end to end IMU evaluation and characterization tasks supporting prototyping, product development, and sustainment, with emphasis on maturing hardware, firmware, and system behavior for transition out of R&D
• Define and execute characterization strategies across environmental, dynamic, and operational conditions, including building and automating hands on test setups (temperature, vibration, shock)
• Analyze performance data to identify key drivers, validate models, and perform root cause investigations of anomalies, drift behaviors, and firmware related effects
• Develop operational firmware to align sensor behavior, filtering, calibration algorithms, and embedded implementation with system level performance goals; support firmware bring up and debug
• Drive sustaining and maturation activities, including hardware/firmware debug, failure analysis, yield trends, and iterative improvement of prototypes and engineering builds
• Develop lab infrastructure and supporting scripts for evaluation, characterization, and validation of products; build automation frameworks in Python / MATLAB / Simulink
• Lead system level validation by defining test plans, developing pass/fail criteria, and ensuring release readiness through robust test coverage and reproducible results
• Partner cross functionally to ensure requirements flow down, system integration readiness, and technical documentation needed for smooth transition to low rate production
• Maintain configuration control, support engineering change processes, and prepare prototypes and early production IMUs for external evaluation and qualification

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors, master's or Ph.D. in relevant field
• 7+ years hands on experience owning sensor development and digital signal processing, including prototype bring up, hardware/firmware integration, performance validation, and schematic-level hardware design and debug
• 4+ years' experience managing production and test documentation as well as requirements validation and artifact production
• Strong understanding of inertial sensor performance (bias, noise, stability) and their interaction with filtering and compensation algorithms
• Experience with IMU test equipment (vibration systems, shock testers, rate tables, centrifuges, thermal chambers) and test automation/instrumentation interfaces
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, or similar for data analysis and automation
• Strong hardware fundamentals (analog, digital, mixed signal, power) and understanding of how they interact with embedded firmware
• Proficiency in embedded C/C++ and at least one automation language (Python preferred); experience with RTOS concepts, HAL/bare metal drivers, and evaluation board bring up
• Knowledge of software best practices, including Git based version control, code reviews, CI/CD workflows, and unit/integration testing
• Working knowledge of microcontrollers/SoCs, ADCs/DACs, and serial interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, Ethernet)

Preferred Qualifications:

• 8+ years hands on experience owning IMU or MEMS development, including prototype bring up, hardware/firmware integration, and performance validation
• Hands on experience with GNC integration, test and evaluation
• Experience with Xilinx Vivado, UltraScale architectures, or ASIC platforms
• Experience with schematic design tools like Altium Designer

Special Requirements:

US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay Range: $154,500 - $197,900
• Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
• Benefits: HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment.
• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: https://www.hrl.com/careers/benefits

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

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