Forterra · 8 hours ago
Senior Electrical Engineer
Arlington, VA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$130K/yr - $145K/yr
5+ years expForterra is dedicated to transforming the battlefield through advanced autonomous systems. The Senior Electrical Engineer will design and integrate complex electrical and networking systems for mission modules, collaborating with various teams to ensure reliable and safe interfaces for military applications.
Defense & Space
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
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
Support 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
Collaborate with government stakeholders and third-party subsystem providers to align requirements, validate performance, and support operational testing and deployment. Provide ongoing troubleshooting, qualification, and user-centric support for fielded and production systems
Qualification
Required
BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, or Electrical/Computer Engineering
5+ years of experience in electrical engineering for defense, robotics, or autonomous platforms
Experience in autonomous or robotic systems for DoD use
Experience in rapid prototyping and iterative development, including bench-top testing and debugging
Strong understanding of open systems architecture standards (IOP, VICTORY, J1939) and modular integration best-practices
Experience design and integrating system-on-modules, embedded controllers, and/or network-based devices
Proficiency with design and interfacing with Ethernet, Automotive Ethernet, CAN, USB and/or serial-based protocols/payloads
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
Experience with design electrical harness (MIL-STD, Automotive, SAE, IPC/WHMA)
Competency in sensor and camera system integration as well as video transport standards
Exposure to MIL-STD-810 or similar environmental qualification standards
U.S. Persons and eligibility for a security clearance
Preferred
Familiarity with platform power management strategies, including load shedding, battery management (BMS), and redundant architectures
Experience collaborating with defense primes or integrators and developing supporting documentation (ICDs, test procedures, verification reports)
Familiarity with MIL-STD-882E and safety-critical electrical design principles
Proven history working with Fire control systems and other Mission Critical systems IAW with DOD standards (MIL-STD-882E, WSESRB, FUZE)
Knowledge of NATO STANAGs related to vehicle and payload interoperability
Support experience for live-fire exercises, test events, or operational demos of integrated weapon systems
Proficiency in simulation and analysis tools (e.g., SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink) for EMI/EMC modeling or circuit validation
Familiarity with CAN diagnostic tools (Vector, CANalyzer, SavvyCAN)
Benefits
Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
$9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.
Company
Forterra
Forterra delivers autonomous mission systems for defense.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageRecent News
2025-11-14
2025-11-14
Washington Technology
2025-11-14
Company data provided by crunchbase