Senior Hardware Electrical Engineer Job at SAIC in San Diego

Overview

SAIC is seeking a highly skilled Senior Hardware Electrical Engineer in San Diego, CA specializing in Software Defined Radio (SDR) and RF receiver electrical design. The candidate will have extensive experience in all phases of hardware design—from concept through design, modeling, and manufacturing files—with proficiency in environmental testing standards and principles. The role covers board-level and system-level integration of circuit card assemblies. This is an onsite role in San Diego, CA; local candidates only.

Responsibilities

• Perform end-to-end hardware design tasks for SDR and RF receiver systems, including schematic design, layout, testing, and validation.
• Develop and implement complex SDR architectures and RF receiver designs.
• Create detailed hardware design models and simulations to validate design performance and reliability.
• Generate and manage manufacturing files and documentation for hardware production.
• Utilize design and analysis tools such as Keysight ADS, Ansys HFSS, Cadence Allegro, Altium Designer, and Mentor Graphics PADS.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (software, systems, and manufacturing) to ensure seamless integration and product delivery.
• Conduct performance testing and troubleshooting of hardware components to ensure compliance with industry standards and specifications.
• Stay current with SDR, RF technologies and related hardware design best practices.
• Analyze supplier line replaceable units (LRUs), including step-file and 3D model review and compliance with specifications.
• Support system integration, test, development, and execution of complex communications systems.
• Work in a multi-disciplinary team with software, firmware, mechanical, and systems engineers.
• Lead board-level design adhering to requirements (PWB design, floor planning, test and verification, troubleshooting).
• Lead a team of mechanical engineers and programmers to integrate analog and digital electronics for milestone reviews and DoD deliverables.
• Design and develop circuit boards using Altium Designer and other CAD systems.
• Define requirements, perform engineering analysis, architect systems, and design interfaces and data architectures.
• Validate and verify designs, balancing technical, schedule, and cost constraints during system development and integration.
• Ensure compliance with requirements at all stages of system development and integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelors and 14+ years of experience; Master’s and 12+ years; PhD/JD and 9+ years.
• U.S. Citizen.
• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret after start.
• Proven hardware design experience, specifically SDR and RF receiver design.
• Proficiency with hardware design tools such as Keysight ADS, Ansys HFSS, Cadence Allegro, Altium Designer, and Mentor Graphics PADS.
• Strong knowledge of RF concepts, DSP, and electromagnetic theory.
• Circuit card design experience with Altium or similar tools.
• Expertise in analog and digital design, including serial communication, logic, power, signal filtering, and wave shaping.
• Ability to perform detailed schematic capture and PCB layout design.
• Understanding of RF and receiver architectures and related technologies at the component level (FPGAs, ASICs, firmware integration).
• Hands-on experience with environmental testing equipment and instrumentation.
• Direct experience with military standards (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461), NASA standards, or other federal environmental testing requirements.
• Familiarity with environmental test standards and regulations (MIL-STD, IEC, ASTM, DO-160, etc.).
• Knowledge of test fixture design principles.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team with software, firmware, mechanical, and systems engineers.
• Experience with configuration management toolsets for version control of hardware, software, and documentation.

• Experience with mixed-signal and high-frequency circuit design.
• Familiarity with RF and SDR industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Lab instrumentation and measurement techniques for RF systems.
• Knowledge of firmware and software development for embedded systems (a plus).
• DOORS and Aras Toolsets experience.
• Circuit simulation experience.
• DoD tactical and strategic radio receiver integration experience.
• Safety Critical Hardware Design & Analyses (DoD, Medical, Automotive).
• Product Life Cycle Management experience.
• Experience with iterative product development of embedded systems.

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. This estimate reflects typical salaries for this position based on experience and other factors.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Engineering and Information Technology
• Industries: Computer Hardware Manufacturing, Defense and Space Manufacturing, IT Services and IT Consulting

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