High-Speed Digital Design Engineer
Job Description
The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.
The Aerospace Corporation's Experiment Lab, xLab, develops prototypes, instruments, pathfinders, and demonstration systems to address our customers' hardest problems at the speed of need. We engage with our customers to conceptualize innovative solutions and deliver impactful products for ground and space and everything in between. We are looking for a High-Speed Digital Design Engineer (Senior Member of Technical Staff/Engineering Specialist - General Integrated Circuit Design Engineering) with a passion for design, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to help xLab make a difference to today's challenges. We need a skilled high-speed digital interface engineer to design, develop, and validate cutting-edge communication systems for space and ground applications.
This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA., requiring at least 4 days onsite.
What You’ll Be Doing
Design and develop high-speed digital interfaces for xLab prototype systems supporting Department of Defense and civil space customers
Perform board-level design, schematic capture, and layout coordination for Ethernet, SGMII, 1000BASE-X, and similar high-speed serial interfaces
Conduct signal integrity analysis, testing, and troubleshooting to ensure robust performance in challenging operational environments
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including RF engineers, software developers, and system architects to integrate communication subsystems
Support hardware bring-up, validation testing, and system integration activities for flight and ground demonstration systems
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers on high-speed design best practices
Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed
This position emphasizes the Innovation, Velocity, and Accountability Leadership Competency Model (LCM) attributes through rapid prototyping, technical excellence, and delivery of mission-critical systems
This position is available as a Sr. Member of Technical Staff or Engineering Specialist.
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for Sr. Member of Technical Staff:
Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree from an accredited program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related STEM discipline
4 or more years of professional experience in high-speed digital interface design
Hands-on design and implementation experience with Ethernet protocols (10/100/1000 Mbps), SGMII, 1000BASE-X, or similar high-speed serial interfaces
Working knowledge of Ethernet PHY layer specifications and IEEE 802.3 standards
Demonstrated experience with PCB design and layout requirements for high-speed signals including impedance control, differential pairs, and layer stackup considerations
Proficiency with signal integrity testing equipment and techniques (oscilloscopes, TDR, VNA, eye diagrams, jitter analysis, BERT, spectrum analyzers)
Strong troubleshooting and lab debugging skills for high-speed digital systems
Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g., Altium, Cadence OrCAD, Mentor Graphics)
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
In addition to the requirements above, the minimum requirements for an Engineering Specialist are:
6 or more years of professional experience in high-speed digital interface design and implementation
Proven track record of leading complex hardware development projects from concept through production or prototype delivery
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
Experience with advanced protocols such as 10GBASE-KR, PCIe, USB 3.x, or other multi-gigabit serial standards
Proficiency with signal integrity simulation tools (e.g., HyperLynx, HFSS, CST, ADS)
Experience with FPGA-based interface implementations and embedded system integration
Knowledge of space-grade component selection, radiation effects, and design for harsh environments
Experience designing high-speed circuits for optical communications, including modulator drivers, TIAs, or SerDes front-ends
We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.
(Min - Max)
$110,400.00 - $193,500.00Pay Basis: AnnualLeadership Competencies
Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:
- Operate Strategically
- Lead Change
- Engage with Impact
- Foster Innovation
- Deliver Results
Ways We Reward Our Employees
During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.
Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:
Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
Flexible spending accounts
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
Relocation assistance
Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
Education assistance programs
An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.