Principal Circuit Design Engineer, Electronic Warfare

The Principal Circuit Design Engineer at Anduril Industries is primarily responsible for designing embedded electronics, overseeing the full spectrum from concept to functional prototypes. This involves hardware selection, schematic and PCB design, and system-level integration. Additionally, the role includes troubleshooting complex issues that involve both hardware and software, collaborating with firmware and software engineers on system integration, and ensuring that all designs meet the requirements of defense technology.

Candidates applying for the Principal Circuit Design Engineer role at Anduril Industries should possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and a minimum of 15 years of experience in designing, testing, and troubleshooting complex hardware and embedded systems. Important skills include experience with multi-gigabit SERDES, DDR memory busses, Ethernet interfaces, and proficiency using circuit simulation tools and test equipment. Familiarity with developing embedded software and a solid understanding of product development processes are also necessary.

As a Principal Circuit Design Engineer at Anduril Industries, you will work with a range of modern technologies including SoCs, networking hardware, and cutting-edge embedded systems. You'll gain hands-on experience with high-speed communication buses like SPI and I2C, multi-gigabit SERDES, and interfaces for sensors and other peripherals. Your work will also span across the manipulation and integration of FPGA designs into larger systems.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of the work culture at Anduril Industries. As a Principal Circuit Design Engineer, you will regularly partner with electrical, mechanical, firmware, software, and test engineers to develop integrated and fully functional products. This teamwork promotes a seamless integration of systems, allowing innovative solutions to emerge while tackling complex challenges presented in defense technology.

Anduril Industries offers a competitive benefits package for Principal Circuit Design Engineers, which includes comprehensive healthcare benefits, exceptional paid leave policies, mental health resources, and professional development opportunities. Additionally, employees enjoy daily meals, a generous holiday calendar, and the possibility of stock options, making it an attractive workplace for innovation-driven engineers.

Discuss your hands-on PCB design experience, including specific projects where you contributed to the design process. Highlight the tools you used, any challenges you faced, and how you overcame those obstacles to succeed in creating functional and efficient board layouts.

Articulate your understanding of the interplay between hardware and software. Provide examples from your past work where you collaborated with software teams, detailing your role and the impact your hardware design had on the overall system performance.

Explain your systematic approach to troubleshooting, including the specific tools and methodologies you utilize, such as oscilloscopes and multimeters. Provide an example of a challenging circuit issue you've solved and the techniques that led to its resolution.

Discuss your experience with Altium Designer, including how you've used it to create schematics and layout PCBs. If you have expertise in other electronic design tools, mention those as well, and explain how they compare to Altium in terms of productivity and efficiency.

Share a specific instance where you faced considerable challenges in a project, emphasizing your contributions as a Principal Circuit Design Engineer. Highlight the goals, obstacles, and solutions you implemented, and how the project turned out in the end.

Describe how clear and effective communication is crucial in a collaborative engineering environment. Provide examples of how you’ve communicated technical ideas to cross-functional teams and how it facilitated project progress and problem-solving.

Share your strategies for remaining current in the field of circuit design, such as attending conferences, participating in webinars, subscribing to relevant journals, or engaging with professional networks. Stress the importance of continuous learning to stay competitive in your role.

Discuss your time management and organizational skills, specifically how you prioritize tasks when involved in multiple projects. Provide insights into tools or methodologies you employ, like Agile or Kanban practices, to keep projects on track.

Detail your experience working with FPGAs, including specific applications and how you configured them for various projects. Highlight any challenges you faced with FPGAs and how you successfully addressed them.

Outline the safety measures you adhere to while designing and testing electrical circuits. Mention specific protocols you've implemented and the importance of these protocols in maintaining a safe working environment.