Entry-Level Electrical Hardware Engineer – FPGA, Networking & Cybersecurity

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Department of Defense Secret security clearance is preferred at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities for this Position

Position Overview

As an Electrical Hardware Engineer specializing in FPGA, networking, and cyber infrastructure at General Dynamics Mission Systems, you will support the design, development, integration, and verification of secure, high-performance hardware subsystems for mission-critical defense systems. FPGA design and development will be a core focus, supporting reconfigurable hardware solutions within networking and cyber-resilient architectures.

This is an entry-level engineering opportunity for a motivated engineer who is eager to build technical depth while working alongside experienced multidisciplinary teams. You will contribute throughout the hardware development lifecycle—from requirements analysis and design through integration, test, troubleshooting, and technical reviews—while developing practical experience in FPGA-based hardware, networking technologies, and hardware cybersecurity.

This fully on-site position is based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Responsibilities

Apply electrical engineering principles to support the development, testing, and integration of FPGA- and networking-focused hardware.

Participate in requirements analysis, definition, management, functional analysis, performance analysis, design, integration, and verification activities.

Support FPGA development activities, including HDL design, simulation, synthesis, timing analysis, verification, and laboratory bring-up.

Assist with schematic analysis, component selection, PCB design and layout reviews, and hardware troubleshooting.

Contribute to network hardware and physical-layer design activities, including Ethernet interfaces and high-speed digital connectivity.

Apply knowledge of networking protocols—including Ethernet, TCP/IP, UDP, ARP, switching, routing, and multicast—as applicable to program requirements.

Support implementation of network segmentation and data-isolation approaches, including VLANs, subnetting, interface separation, and access-control boundaries.

Apply foundational hardware cybersecurity principles, including encryption, secure boot, trusted platform architectures, root of trust, and secure key handling.

Conduct root-cause investigations, experimental testing, and corrective-action development for hardware issues under the guidance of experienced engineers.

Participate in technical reviews and contribute to the continuous improvement of electrical engineering processes, tools, and work products.

Develop and communicate technical findings, issues, impacts, and corrective actions to the engineering team.

Collaborate with systems, software, cyber, test, manufacturing, project leadership, suppliers, and external customers.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related Science, Engineering, or Mathematics field plus a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience ; or a Master’s degree plus a minimum of 6 months of relevant experience .

Working knowledge of electrical engineering concepts, principles, processes, and design tools.

Experience or demonstrated coursework in one or more of the following areas:

FPGA or HDL development

Digital hardware design

PCB design

Networking hardware

Telecommunications

Hardware cybersecurity

Ability to communicate technical issues, impacts, and corrective actions clearly in written and verbal formats.

Ability to work independently on assigned tasks, exercise sound engineering judgment, and address increasingly complex technical problems.

Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, as required.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Verilog, VHDL, SystemVerilog, or related FPGA development tools.

Experience with commercial networking hardware, telecommunications, semiconductor products, or defense systems.

Familiarity with high-speed serial interfaces, Ethernet PHY/MAC architectures, or network-stack implementation.

Familiarity with VLANs and other approaches to network traffic separation and data isolation.

Familiarity with hardware security technologies, including encryption algorithms, secure boot, and trusted platform concepts.

Interest in identifying opportunities to apply AI and emerging technologies to engineering productivity, continuous improvement, and innovation.

Our Commitment to You

At General Dynamics Mission Systems, you will have an exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development. You will perform research-oriented work alongside award-winning teams developing practical, mission-critical solutions that support our nation’s security.

We offer:

Flexible schedules, including an every-other-Friday-off option through a 9/80 schedule

Competitive benefits, including 401(k) matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, and healthcare benefits

Health and wellness programs, employee resource groups, and social groups

Opportunities to develop technical expertise in advanced electrical hardware, FPGA design, networking, and cyber-resilient systems

Learn more at gdmissionsystems.com/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits.

Salary Note This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Combined Salary Range USD $77,843.00 - USD $86,358.00 /Yr.

Company Overview

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans