Electrical Engineer at Shift5 in Rosslyn, VA

Responsibilities

• Contribute directly to the modernization of defense and commercial fleets by delivering resilient hardware for mission-critical OT data.
• Lead and execute the full hardware development lifecycle, from component selection and schematic capture to multi-layer PCB design and layout, focusing on high-speed digital interfaces and power conversion circuitry.
• Design for harsh environments and test against military/aerospace standards (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-704, MIL-STD-1275, DO-160).
• Collaborate with firmware & embedded software engineers to define interface specifications for standard protocols (CAN, I2C, SPI, UART, USB, PCIe) and ensure seamless FPGA and MCU integration.
• Apply DFM/DFA/DFT principles to ensure high manufacturability, yield, and testability across production runs.
• Create and maintain production-ready BOMs, assembly documentation, and design revisions, while helping to develop automated test scripts (Python/Bash) to streamline board bring-up and verification.
• Assist with production and assembly to bridge engineering design and manufacturing.
• Travel to customer sites and field environments as needed to troubleshoot, validate hardware, and support hands-on deployment and system integration.

Requirements

• Experience in schematic design and multi-layer PCB layout to military standards (3+ years; 7+ years for Senior), with a focus on power electronics/SMPS or high-speed digital board design.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize advanced test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers, thermal chambers, and current probes) for hardware verification and environmental validation.
• Strong technical skills in electrical CAD software (Altium preferred) and working knowledge of common communication interfaces including CAN, I2C, SPI, UART, USB, and PCIe.
• Familiarity with electrical design for defense/aerospace platforms, including electrical integration/harness design.
• Comfort operating in fast-paced, regulated environments involving MIL-STD-810, 461, 704, 1275, and DO-160 standards.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Highly self-motivated with a strong bias for action, proactive problem-solving skills, and willingness to travel as needed.
• Security & Citizenship: US Citizenship and an active (or ability to hold/obtain) US Government Top Secret security clearance.
• Hands-on experience with electrical prototyping, assembly, integration, and rework.
• System-level electromechanical integration experience for defense/aerospace platforms, including cable harness design and electrical load analysis.
• Vendor & Supply Chain Collaboration: Experience conducting vendor surveys, evaluating component supplier changes, and working closely with supply chain and manufacturing teams.
• Experience in an AS9100 certified environment and familiarity with IPC standards.

Skills

Required

• Schematic design
• Multi-layer PCB layout
• Power electronics/SMPS
• High-speed digital board design
• Electrical integration/harness design

Preferred

• Cable harness design
• Electrical load analysis
• AS9100 environment experience
• IPC standards familiarity

Benefits

• Base Salary: $130,000–$180,000
• Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup
• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Uncapped paid time off policy
• Flexible work & remote work policy
• Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)