Staff Electrical Engineer - Aerospace | Defense

The Opportunity

StaffRight Associates is recruiting for a premier aerospace and defense client in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The client wants a Staff Electrical Engineer to shape the next generation of radar and mission-critical electronics.

This on-site role pairs deep technical ownership with mentorship. The engineer in this seat will steer system architecture, FPGA-centric and high-speed digital design, mixed-signal hardware, and integration. They will carry sophisticated systems from first concept through prototyping and verification to fielded deployment.

The client’s engineering culture rewards people who run toward hard problems and want their designs to perform where failure isn’t an option. For that kind of engineer, the role offers real scope, visible influence, and long-term growth.

What You’ll Do

• Architect and verify electronic systems that integrate FPGAs, embedded processors and high-speed digital interfaces alongside RF and mixed-signal circuitry.
• Engineer high-speed circuitry spanning DDR4/5 memory, PCIe, USB, SGMII, and Ethernet links, complemented by I²C and SPI peripheral buses.
• Program FPGA logic in VHDL/HDL and help define the architecture and integration of embedded platforms.
• Drive schematic and PCB layout development in Altium, carrying designs through simulation, board fabrication, bring-up, and test.
• Spearhead hardware verification, lab evaluation, debugging, and root-cause investigations that elevate reliability and overall system performance.
• Construct test fixtures, author validation procedures, and leverage lab instrumentation to prove out new designs.
• Accelerate prototype builds and hardware integration through precision soldering, careful component rework, and on-site field troubleshooting.
• Document designs with clarity and rigor so every deliverable satisfies regulatory, safety, and quality requirements.
• Mentor fellow engineers and set technical direction while partnering with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering groups.
• Shape proposals, project schedules, and system architecture decisions while championing ongoing process improvement.

What You Bring

Required

• BS in Electrical Engineering (or a related discipline), or comparable hands-on experience
• Roughly 8–12 years of engineering experience in relevant roles
• Deep expertise in Embedded Electronics, Signal Integrity, and High-Speed Digital Circuit Design
• Practical work on FPGA-based systems in VHDL/HDL, plus solid grounding in Microprocessor Architectures
• Strong skills in PCB Design and Schematic Capture in Altium (or a comparable EDA suite)
• Interface experience across Ethernet, PCIe, I²C, SPI, USB, and DDR4/5
• Command of Hardware Bring-Up, Debugging, and Prototype Validation using standard Lab Instrumentation
• Working knowledge of Git, Subversion, or similar Version Control systems
• Sound engineering judgment, disciplined documentation habits, and the self-direction to deliver independently
• Proven technical leadership, sharp problem-solving instincts, and an uncompromising standard of engineering excellence

Preferred

• RF Circuit Design and Analysis for systems operating in the GHz range
• Power System Design and Power Electronics
• Hands-on use of Signal Generators, Spectrum Analyzers, and Vector Network Analyzers
• Ruggedized Electronics Design for defense or aerospace applications
• Thermal Analysis and Conduction Cooling to manage heat in high-performance electronics

Additional Requirements

• Government Work - U.S. citizenship (sponsorship is not available)
• Eligibility to obtain access to classified government information
• Comfort working hands-on in a laboratory setting
• Willingness to travel occasionally
• Fully on-site in Sioux Falls, SD; this role is not remote

Compensation & Total Rewards

• Annual base salary of $135,000–$165,000 (USD)
• Full-time, direct-hire position
• Top-tier benefits package
• Relocation assistance provided

Joining StaffRight Associates

When you partner with StaffRight Associates in your search for your next role, you’re doing more than pursuing a job, you’re aligning yourself with a team of experts committed to placing top-tier talent in truly impactful positions. We take pride in fostering professional growth and connecting forward-thinking individuals with organizations that value innovation and excellence. We look forward to showcasing your expertise in a way that resonates with our clients and opens the door to meaningful opportunities.