Peraton

Runs and secures technology for federal agencies

Electrical Engineer - Unmanned Systems

Board & Electronics DesignUpdated on Nov 13

Full-timeAberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA

About the Job

Requirements

Five years of experience with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree, three years with a Master of Science or Master of Arts degree, or zero years with a PhD.
A degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering field.
Strong circuit troubleshooting skills using oscilloscopes, analyzers, and meters.
Understanding of UART, SPI, I²C, CAN, and control-systems basics such as PID.
Programming experience in Python, C, C++, or Rust for custom firmware and tooling.
Ability to work effectively in a team, communicate technical information, work independently, prioritize, and support multiple projects.
Active Secret security clearance and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

Design custom embedded hardware using microcontrollers, Systems on Modules (SoMs), or FPGAs.
Reverse-engineer circuit boards and embedded systems.
Set up and work with basic embedded Linux environments.
Evaluate and integrate new technologies into embedded platforms.
Collaborate with cross-discipline engineering teams.
Develop and integrate capabilities into small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)/drone platforms and ground software.
Capture and analyze radio frequency (RF) signals using software-defined radio (SDR) tools.
Document designs and communicate results in writing and presentations.

Desired Qualifications

Possess a TS/SCI security clearance.
Have hands-on embedded system design experience with ARM SoMs and microcontrollers.
Have printed circuit board (PCB) design experience, preferably with KiCAD, including library management.
Have experience reverse-engineering hardware, firmware, or protocols.
Use Docker for build and deployment workflows.
Have knowledge of cryptography, secure boot, and Linux/U-Boot signing.
Have a cybersecurity and networking background, and familiarity with Ghidra or Binary Ninja.
Have RF/SDR experience with tools such as USRP or HackRF, including modulation and signal processing.
Have experience with additional electronic design automation (EDA) tools such as Altium and protocols such as Ethernet, USB, RS-485, and wireless.
Have experience with custom protocol analyzers and bus sniffers.
Have UAS/drone experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or Betaflight, MAVLink, and flight dynamics.
Have experience with PID tuning, control loops, and autonomous flight or terminal guidance.
Be familiar with RC/telemetry/video links such as SBUS, PPM, and CRSF.
Have experience with JTAG/SWD, motor control, ESCs, PWM, and sensors such as IMUs and GPS.
Understand battery management, power distribution, and load analysis for mobile systems.

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Responsibilities

Peraton Labs delivers innovative solutions and revolutionary new capabilities to solve the most difficult and complex challenges for government agencies, utilities, and commercial customers. With a distinguished heritage tracing back to Bell Labs, Bellcore, DHPC, and Telcordia, our experts pave the way.

* This position is 100% on-site in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.

Responsibilities:

Design custom embedded hardware using microcontrollers and SoMs or FPGAs
Reverse-engineer circuit boards and embedded systems
Set up and work with basic embedded Linux environments
Evaluate and integrate new technologies into embedded platforms
Collaborate with cross‑discipline engineering teams
Develop and integrate capabilities into small UAS/drone platforms and ground software
Capture and analyze RF signals using SDR tools
Document designs and communicate results clearly in writing and presentations

#plabs26

Qualifications

Required:

Active Secret security clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI
5 years of experience with BS/BA; 3 years with MS/MA; 0 years with PhD
Degree in Electrical, Computer, or related Engineering
Strong circuit troubleshooting skills using scopes, analyzers, and meters
Solid understanding of UART, SPI, I²C, CAN and control systems basics (e.g., PID)
Programming experience in Python, C/C++, and or Rust for custom firmware and tooling
Proven teamwork, technical communication, and ability to work independently
Ability to prioritize and support multiple projects

Desired:

TS/SCI clearance
Hands‑on embedded system design with ARM SoMs and microcontrollers
PCB design experience (KiCAD preferred), including library management
Experience with reverse‑engineering hardware, firmware, or protocols
Docker use for build and deployment workflows
Knowledge of cryptography, secure boot, and Linux/U‑Boot signing
Cybersecurity and networking background; familiarity with Ghidra/Binary Ninja
RF/SDR experience (USRP, HackRF; modulation and signal processing)
Additional EDA tools (Altium) and protocols (Ethernet, USB, RS‑485, wireless)
Experience with custom protocol analyzers and bus sniffers
UAS/drone experience: PX4/ArduPilot/Betaflight, MAVLink, flight dynamics
PID tuning, control loops, and autonomous flight/terminal guidance
Familiarity with RC/telemetry/video links (SBUS, PPM, CRSF, etc.)
Experience with JTAG/SWD, motor control, ESCs, PWM, and sensors (IMU, GPS, etc.)
Understanding of battery management, power distribution, and load analysis for mobile systems

Target Salary Range

$104,000 - $166,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
Benefits Statement

Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed at https://www.careers.peraton.com/benefits.

Application Statements

The application period for the job is estimated to be 30 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in the role and the Company. During the review of your application, you may be required to participate in an on-camera interview, as well as participate in a process to verify your identity.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools of any kind during Peraton interviews is strictly prohibited unless the candidate has obtained prior written authorization. All interview responses must be the candidate’s own.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.

About the Company

Peraton

Runs and secures technology for federal agencies

Peraton builds and runs secure technology for American defense, intelligence, space, and civilian agencies, from military networks to satellite ground stations. In 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration chose it to manage the overhaul of the nation's air traffic control system, replacing copper wiring with fiber and upgrading radar and radios. Its engineers, many holding security clearances, run and defend agency networks and data centers, write mission software, and operate space and communications systems, and agencies pay for this work through multiyear contracts. Peraton was formed in 2017, when private-equity firm Veritas Capital bought Harris Corporation's government IT business, and is based in Reston, Virginia.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: Grant
Total funding: $60M
Headquarters: Reston, VA
Founded: 2017

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