Senior System Engineer

HRL's compact, high-performance MEMS IMUs are revolutionizing navigation systems by delivering reliable guidance in GPS-degraded environments. Engineered with navigation-grade precision, these IMUs provide a cost-effective and scalable solution for automotive, aerospace, and other demanding applications where traditional GPS reliance falls short. These innovations aim to deliver a first-of-its-kind navigation-grade product that combines reliability, precision, and affordability.

About the role

Lead end-to-end IMU evaluation and characterization tasks supporting prototyping, product development, and sustainment, with emphasis on maturing hardware, firmware, and system behavior for transition out of R&D.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute characterization strategies across environmental, dynamic, and operational conditions, including building and automating hands-on test setups (temperature, vibration, shock).
• Analyze performance data to identify key drivers, validate models, and perform root cause investigations of anomalies, drift behaviors, and firmware-related effects.
• Develop operational firmware to align sensor behavior, filtering, calibration algorithms, and embedded implementation with system-level performance goals; support firmware bring-up and debug.
• Drive sustaining and maturation activities, including hardware/firmware debug, failure analysis, yield trends, and iterative improvement of prototypes and engineering builds.
• Develop lab infrastructure and supporting scripts for evaluation, characterization, and validation of products; build automation frameworks in Python / MATLAB / Simulink.
• Lead system-level validation by defining test plans, developing pass/fail criteria, and ensuring release readiness through robust test coverage and reproducible results.
• Partner cross-functionally to ensure requirements flow down, system integration readiness, and technical documentation needed for smooth transition to low-rate production.
• Maintain configuration control, support engineering change processes, and prepare prototypes and early production IMUs for external evaluation and qualification.
• Manage production and test documentation as well as requirements validation and artifact production.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. in a relevant field.
• 7+ years of hands-on experience owning sensor development and digital signal processing, including prototype bring-up, hardware/firmware integration, performance validation, and schematic-level hardware design and debug.
• 4+ years’ experience managing production and test documentation as well as requirements validation and artifact production.
• Strong understanding of inertial sensor performance (bias, noise, stability) and their interaction with filtering and compensation algorithms.
• Experience with IMU test equipment (vibration systems, shock testers, rate tables, centrifuges, thermal chambers) and test automation/instrumentation interfaces.
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, or similar for data analysis and automation.
• Strong hardware fundamentals (analog, digital, mixed-signal, power) and understanding of how they interact with embedded firmware.
• Proficiency in embedded C/C++ and at least one automation language (Python preferred); experience with RTOS concepts, HAL/bare-metal drivers, and evaluation board bring-up.
• Knowledge of software best practices, including Git-based version control, code reviews, CI/CD workflows, and unit/integration testing.
• Working knowledge of microcontrollers/SoCs, ADCs/DACs, and serial interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, Ethernet).
• US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on experience owning IMU or MEMS development, including prototype bring-up, hardware/firmware integration, and performance validation.
• Hands-on experience with GNC integration, test, and evaluation.
• Experience with Xilinx Vivado, UltraScale architectures, or ASIC platforms.
• Experience with schematic design tools like Altium Designer.

Pay

Pay Range: $154,500 - $197,900

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• 401K match.
• Gym facilities.
• Paid time off (PTO) and sick time.
• Upward mobility and an exciting, challenging work environment.

For more information about our company benefit offerings, please visit: https://www.hrl.com/careers/benefits