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Senior Electrical Engineer

ARA Career
Full-time
On-site
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

At ARA we are driven by a passion for developing innovative solutions to challenging problems of national importance. Our culture rewards autonomy and initiative and we foster a stable environment where personal and professional growth are prioritized.


For this position we are looking for highly skilled electrical engineers to develop cutting-edge technology for the United States Department of Defense within our Military Embedded Systems and Applications group. As part of our team, you will help develop custom hardware and firmware solutions supporting a variety of applications, including augmented reality technology used by the US Army and others to improve the situational awareness of our soldiers on the battlefield.


ARA’s ARC4 augmented reality solution provides accurate, timely information so that teams can make the right decisions and operate with enhanced safety and speed. It is not an overstatement to say that this capability will save lives, by improving coordination, decisiveness, and communication.


Specifically, we need engineers and scientists who have the ability and interest to design complex embedded systems, including architecture development, detailed design, schematic capture, PCB layout. Experience with FPGA RTL development and simulation is strongly preferred, but not required.


Candidates with an entrepreneurial spirit who are seeking opportunities for personal and professional growth in a stable environment are strongly encouraged to apply.


See what we do, and read about us in the news:



Candidates must have:



  • Due to the work we perform and our interactions with the defense community you will need to be eligible to apply for and hold a US security clearance (however, it is unlikely applicants will undergo a security investigation at the time of employment)

  • BS in Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related technical field along with a minimum 8 years of relevant experience or

  • MS in Electrical or Computer Engineering with 6 years of relevant work experience

  • Experience in the development of custom circuit cards from initial architecture development through prototype bring-up and verification

  • Experience in the development of circuit cards with high-speed interfaces such as USB or DDR memory

  • Experience with standard lab equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters


Senior Electrical Engineer Preferred Experience & Skills:


Above all, we value passion, a desire to learn, and teamwork. We are confident that if you possess the right attitude, work ethic, and skill set that you will succeed in the role. In addition to the experience and skills above, if you have any of the following you will be able to accelerate your effectiveness and impact.



  • An understanding of best practices for PCB design for high-speed signal integrity and power integrity

  • Experience designing circuit cards with high-density interconnect technologies, including blind / buried vias

  • Experience with VHDL for both RTL development and simulation

  • Existing or prior US security clearance


Note that these Electrical Engineer positions have been advertised under multiple postings in an effort to accommodate candidates at a wide range of experience levels. Please consider your experience level when applying and submit to the posting(s) that most closely matches your qualifications.



Who is ARA?


Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 2,271 employee owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.


ARA also prides itself, on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice with what happens in the company. We are also very proud of our Women’s Initiative Network (WIN), whose purpose is to motivate, support, and encourage professional career development for women to maximize career and professional accomplishments.


To find out more about what the Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Division has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/