Electrical Engineer - Mission Modules

About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go‑to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

Forterra is building a new generation of mission module capabilities for autonomous ground systems— integrating high-impact payloads like Counter‑UAS, fire‑control, combat engineering, and advanced ISR into a scalable platform architecture. We’re looking for a highly capable Electrical Engineer with experience designing, integrating, and validating complex electrical and networking systems, especially within open architecture frameworks such as the U.S. Army Interoperability Profile (IOP).

You’ll play a critical role in ensuring that mission payloads interface reliably and safely with our autonomy stack, power systems, and tactical networks. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll collaborate closely with autonomy, software, systems, and mechanical teams, government stakeholders, and third‑party subsystem providers to drive safety‑critical and warfighter‑relevant outcomes.

• Design and integrate power distribution, communications, signal routing, and compute infrastructure for mission payloads, including kinetic effectors, RF systems, sensors, and fire‑control modules
• Architect modular, standards‑compliant interfaces using open frameworks like IOP, VICTORY, J1939, and ensure conformance with MIL-STD-1275, MIL-STD-464, MIL-STD-461, and MIL-STD-882E
• Develop and validate electrical artifacts such as interface control documents (ICDs), wiring diagrams, and harness documentation
• Lead hands‑on system integration, bring‑up, and testing across lab and field environments, including EMI/EMC validation and battlefield failure mode protection.
• Design and develop custom PCBs and electrical subsystems using Altium, including support for sensor and camera systems with common video transports (GMSL, FPD-Link, Ethernet video)
• Collaborate with government stakeholders and third‑party subsystem providers to align requirements, validate performance, and support operational testing and deployment. Provide ongoing troubleshooting, qualification, and user‑centric support for fielded and production systems

• 5+ years of experience in electrical engineering for defense, robotics, or autonomous platforms
• Strong understanding of open systems architecture standards (IOP, VICTORY) and mission module integration practices
• Proficiency with Ethernet, CAN, and serial‑based payloads, including fire‑control systems and safe/arm architecture
• Experience in autonomous or robotic systems for DoD use, with working knowledge of power budgeting, MIL-STD-1275 compliance, and vehicle‑based DC distribution (12V–48V)
• Hands‑on experience with RF integration and EMI/EMC compliance to MIL-STD-464 and MIL-STD-461
• Competency in sensor and camera system integration with video transport standards
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-882E and safety‑critical electrical design principles
• U.S. Persons and eligibility for a security clearance

• Support experience for live‑fire exercises, test events, or operational demos of integrated weapon systems
• Familiarity with platform power management strategies, including load shedding, battery management (BMS), and redundant architectures
• Proven history working with Fire control systems and other Mission Critical systems IAW with DOD standards (MIL-STD-882E, WSESRB, FUZE)
• Knowledge of NATO STANAGs related to vehicle and payload interoperability
• Experience collaborating with defense primes or integrators and developing supporting documentation (ICDs, test procedures, verification reports)
• Proficiency in simulation and analysis tools (e.g., SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink) for EMI/EMC modeling or circuit validation
• Exposure to MIL-STD-810 or similar environmental qualification standards. Experience…