Senior Systems Engineer in Santa Maria, California at Aurex

Senior Systems Engineer
Santa Maria, CA

Who We Are
Aurex is a mission-focused aerospace and defense company building the next frontier of deterrence. From hypersonics and missile defense to hardened networks and orbital systems, we design, test, and deliver the platforms that turn unproven ideas into battlefield-ready capability.

Born in Huntsville and built for speed, Aurex brings together aerospace veterans, combat-tested operators, and forward-leaning technologists to solve problems that matter—fast. We move from whiteboard to warfighter with precision, clarity, and zero tolerance for fluff.

Job Overview
Aurex is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to design, develop, and integrate advanced electronic hardware supporting next-generation aerospace and defense systems. This role is responsible for the full hardware development lifecycle, from architecture and circuit design through testing, validation, and production support. You'll work across multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop reliable, high-performance electronics for mission-critical applications where performance, precision, and quality are paramount.

The ideal candidate combines strong analog and digital design experience with a hands-on approach to troubleshooting, system integration, and continuous product improvement. Success in this role requires technical depth, collaboration, and a passion for solving complex engineering challenges.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related STEM discipline.
• 5–8 years of professional experience designing electronic hardware.
• Experience designing analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits.
• Proficiency with simulation and modeling tools such as SPICE and MATLAB.
• Experience using EDA software including Altium Designer, Microchip Studio, or similar development tools.
• Experience performing hardware testing, validation, and troubleshooting using laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers.
• Understanding of signal integrity, EMI/EMC mitigation techniques, and hardware compliance testing.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing firmware or hardware test software using C, C++, or Python.
• Familiarity with audio processing, audio interfaces, and TDM architecture.
• Experience supporting products through the full development lifecycle from concept through production.
• Experience working in aerospace, defense, medical devices, or other highly regulated industries.
• Experience with quality management systems and continuous improvement methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

Electrical Design & Development

• Design and develop analog, digital, and mixed-signal electronic circuits for complex embedded systems.
• Create schematics, perform component selection, and support PCB layout reviews.
• Utilize simulation and modeling tools to analyze circuit performance and optimize designs before hardware fabrication.
• Support product architecture decisions while balancing performance, manufacturability, reliability, and cost.

Hardware Integration & Validation

• Integrate mixed-signal hardware while minimizing noise, signal integrity issues, and EMI/EMC concerns.
• Develop and execute hardware verification, validation, and compliance test plans.
• Troubleshoot prototype and production hardware using industry-standard laboratory equipment.
• Support environmental, functional, and regulatory testing activities.

Embedded Hardware Support

• Collaborate closely with firmware, software, mechanical, and systems engineers throughout product development.
• Develop or modify firmware and automated hardware test scripts when needed.
• Support hardware bring-up, debugging, and system-level integration.

Documentation & Quality

• Create and maintain engineering documentation including schematics, design reports, test procedures, and manufacturing documentation.
• Participate in design reviews and configuration management activities.
• Ensure products comply with internal quality standards, engineering processes, and applicable industry requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering workflows, product quality, and manufacturing efficiency.

What You'll Bring

• Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to diagnose complex electrical issues.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills across multidisciplinary teams.
• Attention to detail with a commitment to engineering excellence.
• Ability to balance technical innovation with practical execution in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for developing reliable hardware that supports critical national security missions.

Location: Santa Maria, CA
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Aurex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It prohibits discrimination, retaliation, or any type of harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, citizenship, immigration status, or any other legally protected status in employment, including in hiring, firing, and recruiting decisions. All applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States for positions at Aurex. There may be limited circumstances in which a law, regulation, executive order, or government contract would require certain citizenship; only in those limited circumstances would Aurex require certain citizenship status to comply with the relevant law, regulation, executive order, or government contract applicable to that position. For all other positions, Aurex does not consider an applicant’s citizenship but only requires that the applicant be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. If a position is one that falls under export control laws and regulations requiring authorization from the U.S. government to access export-controlled items, any hiring is contingent on the applicant passing the export compliance assessment, which is separate from the I-9 process, for that specific position. A background check will be required prior to any hire.

Elevate your career by joining the Aurex Platform, a leader in aerospace innovation!