Forterra

Electrical Engineer - Mission Modules

Forterra

full-time

Posted on:

Origin:  • 🇺🇸 United States

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Salary

💰 $125,000 - $160,000 per year

Job Level

Mid-LevelSenior

About the role

  • Play a critical role ensuring that mission payloads interface reliably and safely with our autonomy stack, power systems, and tactical networks
  • Design and integrate power distribution, communications, signal routing, and compute infrastructure for mission payloads, including kinetic effectors, RF systems, sensors, and fire-control modules
  • Architect modular, standards-compliant interfaces using open frameworks like IOP, VICTORY, J1939, and ensure conformance with MIL-STD-1275, MIL-STD-464, MIL-STD-461, and MIL-STD-882E
  • Develop and validate electrical artifacts such as interface control documents (ICDs), wiring diagrams, and harness documentation
  • Lead hands-on system integration, bring-up, and testing across lab and field environments, including EMI/EMC validation and battlefield failure mode protection
  • Design and develop custom PCBs and electrical subsystems using Altium, including support for sensor and camera systems with common video transports (GMSL, FPD-Link, Ethernet video)
  • Collaborate closely with autonomy, software, systems, and mechanical teams, government stakeholders, and third-party subsystem providers to align requirements and validate performance
  • Provide ongoing troubleshooting, qualification, and user-centric support for fielded and production systems

Requirements

  • 5+ years of experience in electrical engineering for defense, robotics, or autonomous platforms
  • Strong understanding of open systems architecture standards (IOP, VICTORY) and mission module integration practices
  • Proficiency with Ethernet, CAN, and serial-based payloads, including fire-control systems and safe/arm architecture
  • Experience in autonomous or robotic systems for DoD use, with working knowledge of power budgeting, MIL-STD-1275 compliance, and vehicle-based DC distribution (12V–48V)
  • Hands-on experience with RF integration and EMI/EMC compliance to MIL-STD-464 and MIL-STD-461
  • Experience developing custom PCBs using Altium
  • Competency in sensor and camera system integration with video transport standards (GMSL, FPD-Link, Ethernet video)
  • Familiarity with MIL-STD-882E and safety-critical electrical design principles
  • U.S. Persons and eligibility for a security clearance
  • Preferred: Support experience for live-fire exercises, test events, or operational demos of integrated weapon systems
  • Preferred: Familiarity with platform power management strategies, including load shedding, battery management (BMS), and redundant architectures
  • Preferred: Proven history working with Fire control systems and other Mission Critical systems IAW with DOD standards (MIL-STD-882E, WSESRB, FUZE)
  • Preferred: Knowledge of NATO STANAGs related to vehicle and payload interoperability
  • Preferred: Experience collaborating with defense primes or integrators and developing supporting documentation (ICDs, test procedures, verification reports)
  • Preferred: Proficiency in simulation and analysis tools (e.g., SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink) for EMI/EMC modeling or circuit validation
  • Preferred: Exposure to MIL-STD-810 or similar environmental qualification standards
  • Preferred: Experience in rapid prototyping and iterative development, including bench-top testing and debugging
  • Preferred: Familiarity with CAN diagnostic tools (Vector, CANalyzer, SavvyCAN)