Eng I - Optical

BAE Systems • Boulder, CO

6d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an early‑career Focal Plane Electrical Systems Engineer to support the development of advanced electronics used in focal plane subsystems across ultraviolet, visible, near‑infrared, short‑wave infrared, mid‑wave infrared, and long‑wave infrared technologies. As a member of our specialized team, you will have the opportunity to build your electronics expertise while gaining exposure to a wide range of engineering disciplines. This role provides hands‑on experience in areas such as analog and digital hardware, FPGA design, software development, and system integration. Your contributions will help enable critical capabilities for Civil, Defense, and Tactical missions, giving you the opportunity to grow your skills while working on impactful, mission‑driven technology. This position is for a Focal Plane Electrical Systems Engineer and will report to the Detector Technology Center of the Payload Engineering department within the Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit of BAE Systems Space & Missions Systems (SMS). The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers’ missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.

Requirements

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required.
• Understanding of digital logic fundamentals, synchronous design, and finite state machines.
• Experience in FPGA or digital logic design.
• Knowledge of electronic design automation process including synthesis/implementation, timing constraints and clock domain crossing strategies, I/O considerations.
• Experience reading and understanding schematics.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills, utilizing lab equipment (oscilloscope and probes, multimeters) and software debugging tools.
• Programming experience in one or more languages such as Python, Ruby, or MATLAB.

Nice To Haves

• Experience implementing functioning hardware in FPGAs in development environments such as Xilinx or Altera using VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.
• Ability to verify/simulate FPGA designs using test benches.
• Basic printed circuit board design skills using schematic capture tools and demonstrated interest in printed circuit board design.
• Experience working with focal plane sensors and related circuits.
• Understanding of signal integrity and multi-gigabit transceivers.
• Exposure to software development or computer architecture.
• Ability to balance design work with laboratory testing and system integration.

Responsibilities

• Dive into hands‑on design and debugging of analog and digital circuits using tools like oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers.
• Build software and scripts that bring hardware to life—configuring systems, automating tests, collecting data, and making sense of results.
• Create FPGA‑based solutions for next‑generation image sensors, tackling timing control, high‑speed data acquisition, and real‑time processing.
• Validate your FPGA designs through simulation, timing analysis, and hardware bring‑up.
• Support the testing and characterization of advanced focal plane image sensors, gaining exposure to cutting‑edge detector technologies.
• Work in a fast‑paced environment on R&D efforts, prototypes, and production programs—no two days look the same.
• Team up across disciplines to develop and test ultra‑low‑noise focal plane detectors used in scientific missions and high‑speed space‑based imaging.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company.
• Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Benefits

• health, dental, and vision insurance
• health savings accounts
• a 401(k) savings plan
• disability coverage
• life and accident insurance
• employee assistance program
• legal plan
• discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance
• paid time off
• paid holidays
• paid parental leave
• military leave
• bereavement leave
• any applicable federal and state sick leave
• company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level