Electrical Engineer

Allen Control Systems•Austin, TX

About The Position

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup, founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing a small, autonomous gun turret that employs advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely target and neutralize small drones and loitering munitions. Our innovative approach requires overcoming significant technical challenges, making this an exciting and dynamic environment for experienced engineers. With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders' successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact. We are seeking a highly skilled electrical designer with strong expertise in schematic design, electrical simulation, printed circuit board (PCB) design, and firmware development in C++. The ideal candidate will play a critical role in developing robust, high-performance electrical systems that integrate seamlessly with our electromechanical components, helping to ensure our products meet rigorous military-grade requirements. The ideal candidate would contribute to both power and embedded design for our highly dynamic robotic systems. In addition, this person would contribute to developing, optimizing, and implementing embedded software for real-time control of our systems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
Knowledge of microcontroller-based control systems including power conversion and motor drive.
Expertise with electrical design and PCB layout tools such as Altium Designer, OrCAD, or Eagle.
Proficiency with simulation software (e.g., SPICE, ANSYS Electronics) for evaluating circuit behavior under various environmental and operational stresses.
Proven experience integrating electrical components with mechanical systems, such as sensors, motors, and actuators.
Hands-on experience with testing methodologies, equipment, and protocols for validation of designs against military standards.
Experience in embedded software development with a focus on real-time, safety-critical systems.
Extensive experience in C++ for embedded systems, with additional proficiency in Python for scripting and development.
Hands-on experience designing and deploying software for robotics applications, with a focus on real-time control and responsiveness.
Ability to integrate software with various sensors, actuators, and control hardware in robotic and autonomous systems.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of techniques and materials used in heat dissipation and thermal design for high-power systems.
Familiarity with embedded Linux and RTOS environments, as well as experience building custom kernels for embedded platforms.
Knowledge of networking protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP) and communication protocols used in robotics systems (e.g., CAN, UART, I2C).
Skills in optimizing code for low-latency, high-performance applications with strict power and computational constraints.

Responsibilities

Design and Develop Electrical Systems: Create detailed electrical schematics and PCB layouts that meet performance and durability requirements for autonomous turret systems including embedded and power circuits.
Develop Real-Time Embedded Software: Design and implement embedded software in C++ and Python, focusing on real-time responsiveness and efficiency for autonomous defense applications.
Simulation and Testing: Perform simulations for signal integrity, thermal management, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) to ensure robust and reliable designs.
Electromechanical Integration: Collaborate closely with mechanical and software teams to integrate electrical and mechanical components, ensuring optimal performance and reliability in harsh environments.
PCB Design: Lead the development of high-quality printed circuit boards, adhering to best practices in layout, signal integrity, power distribution, and EMC considerations per military standards.
Documentation and Reporting: Develop and maintain detailed documentation of designs, including schematics, PCB layouts, simulation results, and test protocols.
Test and Debug Embedded Systems: Conduct extensive testing, simulation, and debugging in both lab and field environments, troubleshooting and optimizing electronics and software for various real-world conditions.
Performance Optimization: Continuously improve code performance and reduce power consumption to maximize system efficiency on hardware-constrained platforms.