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About the job

Overview

SRI is seeking a Research Engineer (Level I or II) onsite in Boulder, CO, to support the design, development, and prototyping of advanced embedded systems for sensing and real-time applications. This role emphasizes embedded software and hardware integration, real-time data acquisition and control, and hands-on laboratory development.

You will work within multidisciplinary teams to develop embedded systems supporting cellular, radar, communications, quantum sensing, photonics, and other remote sensing applications. The ideal candidate enjoys working close to the software, developing and integrating embedded platforms, interfacing with sensors and electronics, and solving complex problems through hands-on prototyping and testing.

This position is part of the Advanced Technology and Systems Division (ATSD), which develops innovative, high-performance technologies across domains including radar and electronic warfare, imaging, robotics, quantum sensing, and applied optics.

Responsibilities

Leveling Overview

Research Engineer I

Typical Experience: 0–2 years (or recent graduate with relevant internship/project experience)

Develops embedded software and firmware under guidance from senior engineers

Implements and tests interfaces to sensors, data converters, peripherals, and other hardware

Develops and tests software tools, services, and automation used to configure, operate, and evaluate embedded systems

Contributes to automated unit, integration, and system-level testing

Supports embedded system bring-up, integration, testing, and debugging

Develops well-defined portions of real-time data acquisition, control, and processing systems

Uses laboratory instrumentation and software tools to diagnose hardware/software interactions

Uses Linux command-line tools for software development and troubleshooting

Contributes to rapid prototype development and system demonstrations

Works on defined technical tasks with increasing independence

Research Engineer II

Typical Experience: 2–5+ years (or advanced degree with relevant experience)

Independently develops embedded subsystems for sensing, data acquisition, processing, and control

Independently develops and maintains networked software services that coordinate distributed, embedded, or laboratory systems

Develops system architectures and hardware/software trade-off decisions

Develops and integrates firmware, device interfaces, communication protocols, and real-time processing functions

Diagnoses complex issues involving hardware interfaces, operating systems, networking, and remote system operation

Establishes reliable development, deployment, testing, logging, monitoring workflows for Linux-based systems

Leads portions of hardware bring-up, system integration, test, and troubleshooting

Integrates embedded processors with sensors, FPGAs, RF electronics, and other system hardware

Applies DSP, RF, and system-level knowledge to embedded sensing applications

Provides technical guidance to junior engineers and communicates results to project teams and stakeholders

Key Responsibilities:

Design, develop, and integrate embedded systems for real-time sensing, data acquisition, processing, and control

Develop embedded software, Python applications, networked services, test utilities, and automation scripts using C/C++, Python, shell scripting, or similar languages.

Interface microcontrollers, processors, and SoCs with sensors, ADCs/DACs, FPGAs, RF electronics, and photonic hardware

Develop and integrate hardware communication interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, USB, Ethernet, and other serial or high-speed interfaces

Support bare-metal, RTOS, and/or embedded Linux development depending on application requirements

Develop, deploy, configure, and troubleshoot software and services on local, remote, headless, and embedded Linux/Ubuntu systems using secure command-line workflows.

Perform hardware bring-up and debug hardware/software interactions using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and other laboratory instrumentation

Develop and optimize real-time data pipelines with consideration for latency, throughput, memory, power, and processing constraints

Support schematic review, component selection, and PCB development as needed for embedded system integration

Collaborate across software, FPGA, RF, mechanical, photonics, and systems engineering disciplines

Perform day-to-day development, build, test, deployment, and troubleshooting activities in Linux/Ubuntu environments using terminal-based tools

Develop and integrate networked APIs and data transports used to coordinate distributed software and hardware components.

Support rapid prototyping from initial concept through laboratory testing, field demonstration, and system maturation

Document system architectures, interfaces, designs, test procedures, and results

Qualifications

B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field

RE I - 0–2 years (or recent graduate with relevant internship/project experience)

RE II - 2–5+ years (or advanced degree with relevant experience)

U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance

Experience developing embedded software or firmware using C/C++ or similar languages

Proficiency developing and testing software in Python, with experience or coursework in C/C++ or another systems-oriented language.

Experience with microcontrollers, embedded processors, SoCs, or similar computing platforms

Familiarity with embedded communication interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet, or USB

Understanding of digital and analog electronics and the interaction between embedded software and hardware

Experience with hardware bring-up, integration, and debugging

Hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, and signal generators

Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills

Willingness to travel occasionally for testing or fieldwork

Experience working in Linux or Unix-like environments

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with bare-metal, RTOS, and/or embedded Linux development

Skills in PCB design using Altium or other PCB design software

Experience integrating embedded processors with FPGAs, SDRs, GPUs, sensors, or high-speed data converters

Experience using and developing bash scripts

Knowledge of digital signal processing (DSP) and real-time signal processing implementation

Experience developing or integrating REST APIs, messaging systems, or other machine-to-machine communication interfaces.

Experience with FPGA development or FPGA/processor interfaces

Familiarity with RF, mixed-signal, or photonic sensing systems

Experience with networking, high-speed data interfaces, DMA, or real-time data streaming

Experience with low-power or battery-operated embedded systems

Experience with PCB schematic capture, layout, or design review

Background in research, rapid prototyping, or government-funded R&D

Exposure to AI/ML implementation on embedded or edge-computing platforms

Experience using AI tools such as Pytorch and Tensorflow

Familiarity with photodetectors, LEDs, lasers, or other semiconductor sensing devices

Experience characterizing electronic, optical, or environmental noise in low-SNR sensing systems

What We Offer

Work on impactful, cutting-edge technologies in sensing, communications, and advanced electronics

Collaborative, mission-driven research environment

Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits

Opportunities for technical growth and leadership

The salary range is: RE I - $63,873-$95,013; RE II -$81,522-$121,266 . Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. Positions may also qualify for SRI's Pay for Outstanding Performance program or the annual Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to https://www.sri.com/resources/benefits/. SRI will accept applications until the position is filled.

SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For almost 80 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.