Principal Digital Electrical Engineer (DRT) at Thales Defense & Security, Inc.

Req Id: 243

Location:

Germantown, MD, US, 20876

Date: Oct 13, 2025

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) Headquartered in Clarksburg, MD, is a U.S. company that has been serving domestic and international defense Air, Land and Sea domains for 60+ years. With over 1000 employees, TDSI and its four subsidiaries (Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Digital Receiver Technologies, Tampa Microwave, and Trusted Cyber Technologies), supports U.S. Joint Services, special operations forces and multi-national partners with a variety of communication, visualization, signal intelligence/electronic warfare, and sensor/sonar capabilities. TDSI’s key technologies include tactical handheld radios, expeditionary satellite terminals, helmet-mounted displays, optics and target recognition capability, advanced radars, undersea sensing and missile systems. Lives depend on what we do!

Top Benefits (Subject to terms of applicable policies/plans)

• 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)
  
  

We are seeking to fill a Principal Digital Hardware Engineer position located at our Germantown, MD Campus, focused on our DRT (Digital Receiver Technologies) line of Electronic Warfare/ SIGINT software-defined radio technologies. The Principal Engineer will report to the Chief Engineer at DRT. The Principal Engineer will work cross functionally with software engineers to co-design a system 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. The ideal candidate will be able to lead Project Meetings and coordinate Product Development from product inception to production handoff.

Responsibilities

• Lead small digital engineering teams and/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 the circuit, card, and product levels
• Implement digital designs of high complexity and high-density utilizing microprocessors, DSPs, memory systems, FPGAs, displays, and high efficiency low noise power supplies capable of supporting advanced algorithms used in state-of-the-art SIGINT and EW products
• Implement designs utilizing on-board high-speed data buses (i.e. DDR3/DDR4 memory, High Speed Ethernet, etc.) and capable of controlling external RF amplifiers and interfacing with external data and control devices using high speed interfaces (100GBASE-KR Ethernet, PCIe, USB 3.0, etc.)
• Perform technical trade studies and analyses to select digital architecture and key components
• Develop and implement 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 oversite to junior engineers
• Plan, estimate, and manage the 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 individual components, loading firmware onto circuit card assemblies and fully assembled products
• Perform root cause analysis on field failures and support continuous product improvements
• 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
  
  

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• U.S. Citizenship required. - Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information
• BSEE/MSEE or equivalent. An advanced degree is desirable
• 8+ years of electrical design experience
• In-depth practical and theoretical knowledge of digital circuit design as it applies to communication products
• Knowledge of Software Defined Radio circuitry is a plus
• Experience designing and serving as technical lead for high complexity, high speed and high-density digital designs utilizing microprocessors, DSPs, memory systems, FPGAs, and high efficiency low noise power supplies
• Experience utilizing a formal design process to document (create schematics, interface control documents, hardware design documents, test plans/reports, etc.), analyze/simulate, build prototypes, load firmware/software on prototype boards and radios, perform verification testing, debug, and optimize circuit designs to meet requirements at the circuit, card, and product levels
• Experience overseeing PCB layout by working through PCB Layout Designers
• Experience defining methods of programming and loading firmware on development hardware for CCA development and testing
• Hands-on lab experience to breadboard, prototype and fully test designs utilizing advanced engineering test equipment
• Experience utilizing industry best practices and transitioning designs into full-rate production
• Experience utilizing engineering development software tools including OrCAD/Cadence, LTspice, Hyperlynx, and Microsoft Office tools
• Experience leading small teams of engineers across disciplines and mentoring junior digital engineers
• Experience designing to and meeting DoD, Agency, and Industry standards and practices, for EMI/EMC, environmental, certification and test (MIL-STD, CE/UL, NTIA/FCC, RoHS, REACH, ASTM, ANSI, etc.)
• Ability to think "out-of-the-box”, develop, and implement innovative design solutions
• Ability to comply with all Company guidelines, policies, procedures and embrace Company Core Values
  

The annualized pay range for this role is $142,410-181,969 USD along with a target incentive compensation plan (ICP) of 5%. The pay range provided is a good faith estimate representative of the experience level for the role described above. TDSI considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

For specific questions about this job posting, candidates may contact talent acquisition at [email protected].

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. is committed to non-discrimination as applicable under federal, state and local laws. We are an E-Verify Employer.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales Defense & Security, Inc., please call Human Resources at 202-961-1016.

Nearest Major Market: Washington DC