Senior Electrical Engineer (High Speed Digital)

Second Order Effects•Redmond, WA

2d•$155,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Electrical Engineer (High Speed Digital) is a hands-on design role supporting client programs that require high-performance hardware. The engineer owns high-speed digital PCB design, signal integrity, and FPGA development across programs involving areas such as space avionics, optical communication systems, power electronics, and embedded computing platforms. The role includes direct client exposure and ownership of technical deliverables, from early design work through hardware delivery. The engineer works with experienced engineers and contributes to technically demanding programs as SOE grows its incubation model. The role combines strategic and systems-level thinking with practical design, testing, documentation, and collaboration across clients and teams.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Math, or a related field, or equivalent.
At least 3 years of applied experience, with demonstrated passion for engineering and technology development.
Experience with high-speed test equipment and debug tools, including BERT, VNA, TDR, high-bandwidth oscilloscopes (20 GHz or higher), and logic analyzers.
Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts and implications to non-technical audiences.
Systems-thinking approach and ability to connect engineering execution to business strategy.
Proven track record of leading technical initiatives, mentoring engineers, and driving process improvements.
Bias for action and ability to thrive in a fast-paced consulting environment where priorities can shift quickly.
Willingness to be deeply involved in both high-level strategy and hands-on technical execution.
Willingness to work 40 hours per week on-site in El Segundo, California, or Redmond, Washington.
Must be eligible to work on ITAR projects. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations. Sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

5 or more years of relevant experience.
Experience designing electronics for space-qualified or radiation-tolerant applications, including component derating, single-event effects analysis, or environmental test campaigns such as thermal vacuum, vibration, or shock.
Familiarity with 400G/800G Ethernet architectures, PAM4 signaling, or co-packaged optics interfaces.
Experience with power-integrity analysis tools and multi-phase VRM design for high-current, fast-transient loads.
Background in optical communication systems or in electrical interfaces between high-speed digital hardware and analog RF or opto-electronic signal chains.
EMI/EMC test experience to MIL-STD-461 or DO-160.
Experience with business development, sales engineering, or technical sales.
Prior work at an engineering consulting or services-based firm and understanding of client-driven project work.
Patents, publications, or open-source contributions demonstrating contributions in the field.

Responsibilities

Support high-speed electrical systems from concept generation through unit delivery, including key trades, requirement definition, investigations, and component selection.
Own signal integrity from component selection and schematic capture through layout and post-route simulation, including impedance control, differential-pair routing, crosstalk analysis, and eye-diagram verification.
Work with power electronics engineers to inform and design power-delivery networks for high-performance ASICs, FPGAs, and multi-channel memory; close power budgets from system architecture through regulator selection and decoupling strategy.
Develop and execute high-speed board bring-up, including BERT testing, TDR characterization, eye-mask compliance, and EMC pre-compliance.
Design in Altium and produce layout-ready packages with full design-rule documentation for contract manufacturing.
Incorporate applicable environmental requirements, including thermal cycling, vibration, shock, and vacuum outgassing.
Author and maintain design specifications, interface control documents, and test procedures at the level required by programs.
Work directly with clients to translate system requirements into board-level hardware specifications.
Contribute as a presenter and reviewer in technical reviews, including PDR and CDR, across programs.
Support junior engineers through design reviews and hands-on mentorship.
Contribute reusable design patterns, documentation standards, and lessons learned to SOE's internal body of knowledge.

Benefits

Equity via ISOs in Second Order Effects, Inc.
Equity via PIUs in incubated companies through Second Order Holdings, LLC.
100% employer-paid employee health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus 50% dependent coverage.
Flexible paid time off policy.
11 paid holidays.
12 paid sick days.
401(k) retirement account with employer matching (Safe Harbor 4%).
Up to 22 weeks of paid parental leave for new-child bonding.
Relocation assistance for employees relocating from 50 or more miles away from the office.
Electric vehicle charging ports.
Daily catered lunches, snacks, and an accessible kitchen.