High-Speed Digital Design Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

2d•$110,400 - $193,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation's Experiment Lab, xLab, develops prototypes, instruments, pathfinders, and demonstration systems to address our customers' hardest problems at the speed of need. We engage with our customers to conceptualize innovative solutions and deliver impactful products for ground and space and everything in between. We are looking for a High-Speed Digital Design Engineer (Senior Member of Technical Staff/Engineering Specialist - General Integrated Circuit Design Engineering) with a passion for design, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to help xLab make a difference to today's challenges. We need a skilled high-speed digital interface engineer to design, develop, and validate cutting-edge communication systems for space and ground applications. This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA., requiring at least 4 days onsite.

Requirements

Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree from an accredited program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related STEM discipline
4 or more years of professional experience in high-speed digital interface design
Hands-on design and implementation experience with Ethernet protocols (10/100/1000 Mbps), SGMII, 1000BASE-X, or similar high-speed serial interfaces
Working knowledge of Ethernet PHY layer specifications and IEEE 802.3 standards
Demonstrated experience with PCB design and layout requirements for high-speed signals including impedance control, differential pairs, and layer stackup considerations
Proficiency with signal integrity testing equipment and techniques (oscilloscopes, TDR, VNA, eye diagrams, jitter analysis, BERT, spectrum analyzers)
Strong troubleshooting and lab debugging skills for high-speed digital systems
Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g., Altium, Cadence OrCAD, Mentor Graphics)
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government.
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
In addition to the requirements above, the minimum requirements for an Engineering Specialist are: 6 or more years of professional experience in high-speed digital interface design and implementation
Proven track record of leading complex hardware development projects from concept through production or prototype delivery

Nice To Haves

Experience with advanced protocols such as 10GBASE-KR, PCIe, USB 3.x, or other multi-gigabit serial standards
Proficiency with signal integrity simulation tools (e.g., HyperLynx, HFSS, CST, ADS)
Experience with FPGA-based interface implementations and embedded system integration
Knowledge of space-grade component selection, radiation effects, and design for harsh environments
Experience designing high-speed circuits for optical communications, including modulator drivers, TIAs, or SerDes front-ends

Responsibilities

Design and develop high-speed digital interfaces for xLab prototype systems supporting Department of Defense and civil space customers
Perform board-level design, schematic capture, and layout coordination for Ethernet, SGMII, 1000BASE-X, and similar high-speed serial interfaces
Conduct signal integrity analysis, testing, and troubleshooting to ensure robust performance in challenging operational environments
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including RF engineers, software developers, and system architects to integrate communication subsystems
Support hardware bring-up, validation testing, and system integration activities for flight and ground demonstration systems
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers on high-speed design best practices
Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed
This position emphasizes the Innovation, Velocity, and Accountability Leadership Competency Model (LCM) attributes through rapid prototyping, technical excellence, and delivery of mission-critical systems
This position is available as a Sr. Member of Technical Staff or Engineering Specialist.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
Flexible spending accounts
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
Relocation assistance
Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
Education assistance programs
An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect