Senior Embedded Systems & Hardware-in-the-Loop Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

About The Position

Would you be excited to architect complete embedded systems from hardware through firmware to software? Are you interested in developing advanced hardware-in-the-loop test systems supporting cutting edge optical sensors and mission critical defense technologies? If so, we’re looking for someone like you to join our team at APL! The Electro Optical Seeker and Infrared Systems group (A1F) of the Air and Missile Defense Sector (AMDS) is seeking a Senior Embedded Systems & Hardware-in-the-Loop Engineer to lead the architecture and implementation of complete embedded systems, custom electronics hardware, FPGA firmware, real-time embedded software, and sophisticated HWIL test systems. As a Senior Embedded Systems & Hardware-in-the-Loop Engineer, you will: Lead multi-disciplinary teams in architecting and developing complete embedded systems from concept through deployment Design custom electronics including PCB layouts, FPGA firmware (VHDL/Verilog), and real-time C++ embedded software Develop and integrate real-time HWIL test systems for advanced missile seekers, optical sensors, and tracking systems Design embedded systems around FPGA MPSoC platforms (Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+) including carrier boards, PetaLinux OS, drivers, and applications Implement real-time video/image processing pipelines using CUDA, OpenCV, GStreamer, and custom FPGA IP cores Interface with advanced sensors (IR/visible cameras, LiDAR, fast steering mirrors, scene projectors) and develop MATLAB/Python analysis tools Support field testing, lead design reviews (PDR, CDR), and provide technical leadership and mentoring

Requirements

A BS degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or related discipline with 8+ years of experience
High proficiency in modern C++ (C++11/14/17) with real-time performance, multi-threading, and object-oriented architecture
Extensive FPGA firmware design experience using VHDL or Verilog (Xilinx Vivado or Intel Quartus)
Proven embedded systems design experience including hardware schematics, FPGA logic, and embedded software
Embedded Linux development experience including kernel programming, device drivers (V4L2), and PetaLinux/Yocto
Experience with video/image processing systems and high-speed data interfaces (10GbE, PCIe, Camera Link, DVI)
MATLAB proficiency and strong electrical engineering fundamentals (digital protocols, signal integrity, power systems)
Are able to obtain Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship

Nice To Haves

An MS degree with 10+ years of experience leading technical teams through complete system development lifecycles
GPU programming experience (CUDA/OpenCL), MPSoC architecture expertise (Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+), or HWIL scene generation system development
Background in 6-DOF simulation, weapon systems (missiles, seekers, interceptors), or RTOS experience (FreeRTOS, VxWorks, RedHat)
Image compression implementation (JPEG2000, HTJ2K, H.264, H.265) or Python proficiency for test automation
Flight electronics design experience, precision timing systems (IRIG-B, GPS, PTP), or optical systems knowledge
Experience supporting hypersonic programs or high-speed flight test campaigns
Active Top Secret and SCI clearance

Responsibilities

Lead multi-disciplinary teams in architecting and developing complete embedded systems from concept through deployment
Design custom electronics including PCB layouts, FPGA firmware (VHDL/Verilog), and real-time C++ embedded software
Develop and integrate real-time HWIL test systems for advanced missile seekers, optical sensors, and tracking systems
Design embedded systems around FPGA MPSoC platforms (Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+) including carrier boards, PetaLinux OS, drivers, and applications
Implement real-time video/image processing pipelines using CUDA, OpenCV, GStreamer, and custom FPGA IP cores
Interface with advanced sensors (IR/visible cameras, LiDAR, fast steering mirrors, scene projectors) and develop MATLAB/Python analysis tools
Support field testing, lead design reviews (PDR, CDR), and provide technical leadership and mentoring