Principal Digital Electrical Engineer
Listed on 2026-07-05
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Engineering
Electronics Engineer, Systems Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Test Engineer
Principal Digital Hardware Engineer
Location: Germantown, MD, US, 20876
Date posted: Jun 30, 2026
Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) is a U.S. company with over 1,000 employees headquartered in Clarksburg, MD. With subsidiaries AAC, DRT, Tampa Microwave, and Trusted Cyber Technologies, TDSI provides communication, visualization, signal intelligence/electronic warfare, and sensor/sonar solutions to U.S. Joint Services, special operations forces, and multinational partners. TDSI's technologies include tactical handheld radios, expeditionary satellite terminals, helmet‑mounted displays, optics, radars, undersea sensing and missile systems.
Benefits- Competitive Salary
- Yearly Incentive Compensation Plan
- Medical insurance for self and eligible family members
- Generous 401(k) program—up to 7% company contribution and 100% immediate vesting
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid wellness, vacation, and holiday leave
- Paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave
- 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)
- Hybrid working environment
We are seeking to fill a Principal Digital Hardware Engineer position located at our Germantown, MD Campus, focused on our DRT line of Electronic Warfare/SIGINT software‑defined radio technologies. The Principal Engineer will report to the Digital Hardware Manager and work cross‑functionally with software engineers to co‑design systems and solve problems by making software and hardware cooperate rather than operate at cross‑purposes.
You will collaborate with mechanical engineers to design intricate high‑power thermal and interconnect solutions and lead project meetings, coordinating product development from inception to production handoff.
- Lead small digital engineering teams or work independently to define requirements, conceive, document (create schematics, interface control documents, hardware design documents, test plans/reports, etc.), analyze/simulate, build prototypes, oversee PCB layouts, load firmware/software on prototype boards and radios, perform verification testing, debug, and optimize digital circuit designs to meet requirements at circuit, card, and product levels.
- Implement digital designs of high complexity and density utilizing microprocessors, DSPs, memory systems, FPGAs, displays, and low‑noise power supplies supporting advanced algorithms used in state‑of‑the‑art SIGINT and EW products.
- Implement designs utilizing on‑board high‑speed data buses (DDR3/DDR4, high‑speed Ethernet, etc.) and control external RF amplifiers and interfacing with external data and control devices using high‑speed interfaces (100
GBASE‑KR Ethernet, PCIe, USB 3.0, etc.). - Perform technical trade studies and analyses to select digital architecture and key components.
- Develop detailed design specifications, test plans, and test procedures.
- Efficiently troubleshoot problems and implement effective solutions.
- Plan and execute PCB layout activities in collaboration with PCB Layout Designers.
- Mentor and provide technical oversight to junior engineers.
- Plan, estimate, and manage technical requirements, scope, budget, schedule, and deliverables for designs from concept through detailed design, prototype, engineering test, and transition into full‑rate production.
- Generate documentation for programming components, loading firmware onto circuit card assemblies and fully assembled products.
- Perform root‑cause analysis on field failures and support continuous product improvement.
- Support R&D efforts and continuous process improvements.
- Complete assigned tasks in a quality and timely manner with minimal supervision.
- Effectively support and communicate to management status, issues, needs and ideas.
- U.S. Citizenship required; applicant must meet eligibility for security clearance.
- BSEE/MSEE or equivalent. Advanced degree desirable.
- 8+ years of electrical design experience.
- In‑depth practical and theoretical knowledge of digital circuit design for communication products.
- Knowledge of Software‑Defined Radio circuitry is a plus.
- Experience designing and serving as technical lead for high‑complexity, high‑speed, high‑density digital designs utilizing microprocessors, DSPs, memory systems, FPGAs, and…
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