Group Lead, Firmware & Software

HRL Laboratories, an IBM company, pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers – ready for real-world application. For more than 70 years, HRL’s rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other — often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways.

As a private company owned by IBM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art.

HRL Laboratories develops radio frequency, millimeter-wave and electro-optical sensors using state-of-the-art materials and device fabrication processes to deliver agile, mission-ready systems. Our high-performance solutions are highly integrated, architecturally low cost, and optimized for size, weight and power efficiency while leveraging commercial, custom and novel mixed-signal innovations.

We are seeking a hands‑on technical leader to serve as Manager of the Firmware & Software group within the Product Development team, reporting to the Senior Manager, Product Development. The group develops embedded firmware, control software and test software that make our sensor systems work. The role consists of roughly 25% management and 75% technical contributions.

• Lead a team of firmware and software engineers: assign work, recruit, mentor, and provide formal and informal performance feedback
• Serve as technical lead and subject matter expert for embedded control, FPGA/SoC firmware and system software across RF and sensor programs
• Contribute hands‑on design, coding, debugging and review of firmware and software deliverables
• Define, document and enforce development best practices, including version control, merge requests, code review, CI/CD and unit testing
• Support system integration and test, providing rapid design updates, and develop test automation for hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing
• Estimate effort and schedule for firmware and software tasks, report status to program managers, and contribute to proposals and customer briefings

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science
• 7+ years of experience in embedded firmware or software development, including 2+ years as a technical lead or supervisor
• Proficiency in C/C++ and Python; experience with HDL (Verilog/VHDL, HLS)
• Experience with FPGAs, DSPs and microcontrollers;
  Xilinx/AMD SoC experience strongly preferred
• Experience with Git/Git Lab and modern development practices (code review, CI/CD, unit testing)
• Experience with RF and high-speed digital test equipment
• Ability to interact professionally with program managers, co-workers and customers

• Embedded Linux and real‑time operating system experience
• Working knowledge of RF components, communication, radar or EW systems
• Experience delivering software under DoD documentation and configuration-management standards

• Proficiency with computers, engineering workstations and complex electronic equipment; strong oral and written communication
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment, both independently and in teams

• US Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance
• Active Clearance is a plus

• 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,…