Senior Electrical Engineer

Spectra Aerospace & DefenseAlpharetta, GA

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Job Description

Job SummaryThe Senior Electrical Engineer actively participates in the structured process that transforms product ideas into application-ready, modular, scalable ruggedized displays, tablets, and mission computers that meet the rigorous performance, reliability, and environmental standards required in mission-critical defense and aerospace environments.The Senior Electrical Engineer is responsible for the full electrical hardware development lifecycle including system design and architecture, detailed design and engineering, prototyping and validation, and manufacturing preparation and release while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver fully integrated and optimized product solutions.The ideal candidate brings at least ten years of hands-on experience in electrical hardware design for defense or similarly demanding sectors, a strong understanding of MIL-STD requirements, and a proven ability to deliver robust, high-reliability systems in fast-paced, high-stakes settings.Core Duties & Responsibilities

System design and architecture
- Develop system architecture and block diagrams
- Select, design, and validate digital, analog, and power electronics
- Create preliminary bills of materials (BOM)
Detailed design and engineering
- Create detailed circuit diagrams using Altium Designer
- Design the physical layout of PCBs
- Use the GIDEP (Government-Industry Data Exchange Program) to identify and report part failures, obsolescence, and counterfeit risks.
- Analyze and compile data to ensure product quality, regulatory compliance, and adherence to military/aerospace ruggedization standards.
- Optimize the electrical design for efficient and cost-effective production
Prototyping and validation
- Support the building of functional prototypes
- Support prototype testing to ensure functions work as intended
- Perform hands-on circuit design, PCB layout collaboration and signal integrity analysis as well as support thermal considerations and EMI/EMC compliance
- Ensure all electrical hardware designs meet applicable standards such as MIL-STD, DO-160, and specific customer environmental and electrical requirements
- Conduct qualification testing as required to ensure compliance with final specifications

Manufacturing preparation and release
- Participate in production readiness reviews (PRR) and incorporate corrective actions and improvement suggestions
- Finalize BOMs, ECNs, and all other engineering documentation
- Release all documentation for production

Associated Duties & Responsibilities

Provide technical expertise during proposal development, product planning discussions, and customer-facing technical engagements as needed
Actively collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure designs meet performance, reliability, and compliance requirements for defense and aerospace environments
Fully prepare for and participate in design reviews, including PDR, CDR, TRR, and PRR
Drive technical excellence throughout the product development lifecycle by applying best practices in Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Testability (DFT)
Contribute to engineering best practices by participating in engineering peer reviews and continuous improvement activities
Offer expertise to Electrical Engineers in PCB layout, analog and digital system design, ruggedization techniques, and other topics as necessary

Required Skills/Abilities:

Demonstrated expertise in high-speed digital circuit design, power supply architecture, and embedded hardware development.
Strong understanding of ruggedization techniques, thermal management methods, and EMI/EMC mitigation practices.
Proficiency with industry-standard ECAD tools such as Altium Designer, OrCAD, or equivalent platforms.
Solid knowledge of relevant environmental and electrical compliance standards, including MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, and DO-160.
Experience contributing to complex, multidisciplinary engineering projects and working within New Product Introduction (NPI) phase-gate processes.
Strategic and technically proficient: effectively balances long-term vision with hands-on engineering leadership.
Collaborative and communicative: cultivates strong relationships across internal teams and external stakeholders to drive alignment and success.
Detail-oriented and disciplined: upholds rigorous standards for design quality, documentation, and process adherence.
Mentorship-driven: committed to developing talent and fostering a culture of continuous technical excellence.
Mission-focused: dedicated to delivering reliable, high-performance systems that support critical operations.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field is required; Master’s degree is preferred
Minimum of 10 years of experience in hardware design and development, preferably within rugged, defense, or aerospace environments
Experience working with military or high-reliability electronic systems is highly desirable
U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status required; eligibility to obtain a security clearance may be required

Physical DemandsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, see, and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to pick up, handle, feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Office environment with temperature control. May be exposed to chemicals related to the manufacturing process. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.About the CompanySpectra Defense Technologies is a trusted and rapidly expanding group of defense electronics companies that provides a comprehensive range of high-performance technologies for demanding national security needs across various domains—air, sea, land, and space.Argon designs, manufactures, and services rugged displays, tablets, mission computers, and peripherals for military application.Our mission is to engineer and deliver ruggedized systems for data acquisition, computing, and visualization – built to perform in the most demanding environments.Our vision is to be the #1 trusted source for rugged, secure defense electronics and avionics products worldwide.

Spectra Core Values:

These are deeply ingrained principles that guide all our actions and serve as the cornerstone of our culture:Integrity in Every Action – We stand by our word, follow through on our commitments, and act with honesty, always.Purpose-Driven Partnership – We listen first, collaborate deliberately, and work shoulder to shoulder with customers and teammates to solve what matters most.Excellence Through Expertise – We bring rigor, precision, and decades of technical knowledge to everything we build because lives and missions depend on it.Spectra provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

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