EMI/EMC Design Engineer — TEMPEST Training Provided

advance programs•Columbia, MD

7d•$155,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

Discover your career's true potential at Advanced Programs Inc. (API), leaders in national security solutions since 1969! Join our dynamic, close-knit team, where innovation meets impact. Our agile, flexible work environment not only drives professional growth but also nurtures personal development. At API, you're not just an employee; you're part of a legacy where impactful cions thrive in a vibrant, supportive setting. Elevate your career and experience the power of a small, collaborative team with big opportunities! Embark on a mission with API – where innovation meets impact! Join us as we revolutionize national security, responding swiftly to customer needs, and forging ahead with cutting-edge solutions. At API, we don't just meet expectations; we exceed them, creating a legacy of success in the ever-evolving landscape of intelligence, defense, and foreign affairs. This is your chance to be part of something extraordinary! BUILD A CAREER WITH PURPOSE AT API Since 1969, Advanced Programs, Inc. (API) has developed secure, mission-critical solutions that serve the United States, NATO, and allied partners. As a small, agile company supporting national security initiatives, we offer a tight-knit environment where every engineer plays a meaningful, visible role in real-world impact. We move quickly to respond to evolving defense and intelligence challenges, often working directly with government stakeholders to turn urgent needs into engineered solutions. You'll have room to make a difference — and you'll be expected to bring initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to learn every day. TURN YOUR EMI/EMC SKILLS INTO A RARE SPECIALTY This is an unusual opportunity for a mid-career engineer: we will train a strong EMI/EMC designer into a TEMPEST design authority. TEMPEST (emanations security) is a small, in-demand specialty that's difficult to break into — it typically requires a cleared employer willing to invest in your development. That's exactly what we offer. If you already think in terms of shielding, filtering, grounding, and controlling emissions to pass EMC limits, you're most of the way there. TEMPEST applies that same discipline toward a security objective: preventing compromising emanations. You'll learn the standards, the security framing, and the classified environment from engineers who are experts in the field — and become one yourself. SUPPORT THE MISSION: NATIONAL TELEPHONE SECURITY WORKING GROUP (NTSWG) You'll support programs sponsored by the NTSWG, a U.S. government body that leads interagency efforts to develop advanced technologies protecting national security. NTSWG identifies urgent capability gaps across the defense, intelligence, and homeland security communities and funds rapid R&D to close them. The solutions you help build are deployed directly into the hands of U.S. forces, law enforcement, and our allies. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES You'll design secure communications, computing, and networking products that help the United States, NATO, and allies safeguard sensitive information in high-threat environments. Day to day, you'll work at the component level on analog and digital systems, applying your EMI/RFI background while we develop your expertise in emanations security (TEMPEST/TSG). What You Can Expect End-to-End Involvement: Contribute across the full engineering lifecycle — concept and design through prototyping, integration, and delivery. Hands-On Innovation: A blend of desk and lab work, with frequent opportunities to prototype, test, and refine your own designs. Mentorship Into a Specialty: Learn TEMPEST design directly from established experts, with a structured path to becoming an SME. Small-Team Impact: Your work won't get lost in layers of hierarchy. You'll be visible and essential. Mission Relevance: The systems you design directly support real-world defense and intelligence missions. Fast-Paced Variety: Diverse, fast-moving projects. No two weeks are the same.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Electrical Engineering or a related field
5–10 years of electrical engineering experience, including hands-on EMI/EMC (EMI/RFI) design
Experience designing filter circuits and using OrCAD or similar PCB design software
Experience with both analog and digital system design
Ability to collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams, including mechanical and TEMPEST engineers
U.S. citizenship, and the ability to obtain a Secret security clearance

Nice To Haves

An active Secret (or higher) security clearance
Familiarity with TEMPEST, TSG, or emanations-security concepts (we will train the right EMI/EMC candidate)
Experience with Ansys HFSS or similar EM simulation tools
Prior experience on national security or defense-related projects

Responsibilities

Perform component-level design of analog and digital systems, applying strong EMI/RFI design practice
Design and refine filter circuits to minimize interference and preserve signal integrity
Use OrCAD PCB design software (or similar) for schematic capture and PCB layout; experience with Ansys HFSS is a plus
Learn and apply TEMPEST and TSG design standards under the mentorship of senior subject-matter experts
Collaborate with mechanical engineers, TEMPEST engineers, and other disciplines during prototype and production integration
Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to diagnose and resolve production test issues on TEMPEST-compliant units
Evaluate existing systems and recommend design improvements for performance, reliability, and compliance
Travel occasionally (less than 5%) to support project or customer needs
Serving as a project lead, including schedule and budget oversight
Reviewing and approving schematics, PCB layouts, and drawings for TEMPEST/TSG product development
Becoming a recognized subject-matter expert others rely on