Research Engineer I / II - Embedded Development Engineer

SRI is seeking a Research Engineer (Level I or II) onsite in Boulder, CO, to support the design, development, and prototyping of advanced embedded systems for sensing and real-time applications. This role emphasizes embedded software and hardware integration, real-time data acquisition and control, and hands-on laboratory development. 

You will work within multidisciplinary teams to develop embedded systems supporting cellular, radar, communications, quantum sensing, photonics, and other remote sensing applications. The ideal candidate enjoys working close to the software, developing and integrating embedded platforms, interfacing with sensors and electronics, and solving complex problems through hands-on prototyping and testing.

This position is part of the Advanced Technology and Systems Division (ATSD), which develops innovative, high-performance technologies across domains including radar and electronic warfare, imaging, robotics, quantum sensing, and applied optics.

Leveling Overview

Research Engineer I

Typical Experience: 0–2 years (or recent graduate with relevant internship/project experience)

• Develops embedded software and firmware under guidance from senior engineers
• Implements and tests interfaces to sensors, data converters, peripherals, and other hardware
• Develops and tests software tools, services, and automation used to configure, operate, and evaluate embedded systems
• Contributes to automated unit, integration, and system-level testing
• Supports embedded system bring-up, integration, testing, and debugging
• Develops well-defined portions of real-time data acquisition, control, and processing systems
• Uses laboratory instrumentation and software tools to diagnose hardware/software interactions
• Uses Linux command-line tools for software development and troubleshooting
• Contributes to rapid prototype development and system demonstrations
• Works on defined technical tasks with increasing independence

Research Engineer II

Typical Experience: 2–5+ years (or advanced degree with relevant experience)

• Independently develops embedded subsystems for sensing, data acquisition, processing, and control
• Independently develops and maintains networked software services that coordinate distributed, embedded, or laboratory systems
• Develops system architectures and hardware/software trade-off decisions
• Develops and integrates firmware, device interfaces, communication protocols, and real-time processing functions
• Diagnoses complex issues involving hardware interfaces, operating systems, networking, and remote system operation
• Establishes reliable development, deployment, testing, logging, monitoring workflows for Linux-based systems
• Leads portions of hardware bring-up, system integration, test, and troubleshooting
• Integrates embedded processors with sensors, FPGAs, RF electronics, and other system hardware
• Applies DSP, RF, and system-level knowledge to embedded sensing applications
• Provides technical guidance to junior engineers and communicates results to project teams and stakeholders

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and integrate embedded systems for real-time sensing, data acquisition, processing, and control
• Develop embedded software, Python applications, networked services, test utilities, and automation scripts using C/C++, Python, shell scripting, or similar languages.
• Interface microcontrollers, processors, and SoCs with sensors, ADCs/DACs, FPGAs, RF electronics, and photonic hardware
• Develop and integrate hardware communication interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, USB, Ethernet, and other serial or high-speed interfaces
• Support bare-metal, RTOS, and/or embedded Linux development depending on application requirements
• Develop, deploy, configure, and troubleshoot software and services on local, remote, headless, and embedded Linux/Ubuntu systems using secure command-line workflows.
• Perform hardware bring-up and debug hardware/software interactions using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and other laboratory instrumentation
• Develop and optimize real-time data pipelines with consideration for latency, throughput, memory, power, and processing constraints
• Support schematic review, component selection, and PCB development as needed for embedded system integration
• Collaborate across software, FPGA, RF, mechanical, photonics, and systems engineering disciplines
• Perform day-to-day development, build, test, deployment, and troubleshooting activities in Linux/Ubuntu environments using terminal-based tools
• Develop and integrate networked APIs and data transports used to coordinate distributed software and hardware components.
• Support rapid prototyping from initial concept through laboratory testing, field demonstration, and system maturation
• Document system architectures, interfaces, designs, test procedures, and results

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field 
  • RE I - 0–2 years (or recent graduate with relevant internship/project experience)
  • RE II - 2–5+ years (or advanced degree with relevant experience)
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
• Experience developing embedded software or firmware using C/C++ or similar languages
• Proficiency developing and testing software in Python, with experience or coursework in C/C++ or another systems-oriented language.
• Experience with microcontrollers, embedded processors, SoCs, or similar computing platforms
• Familiarity with embedded communication interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, Ethernet, or USB
• Understanding of digital and analog electronics and the interaction between embedded software and hardware
• Experience with hardware bring-up, integration, and debugging
• Hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, and signal generators
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
• Willingness to travel occasionally for testing or fieldwork
• Experience working in Linux or Unix-like environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with bare-metal, RTOS, and/or embedded Linux development
• Skills in PCB design using Altium or other PCB design software
• Experience integrating embedded processors with FPGAs, SDRs, GPUs, sensors, or high-speed data converters
• Experience using and developing bash scripts
• Knowledge of digital signal processing (DSP) and real-time signal processing implementation
• Experience developing or integrating REST APIs, messaging systems, or other machine-to-machine communication interfaces.
• Experience with FPGA development or FPGA/processor interfaces
• Familiarity with RF, mixed-signal, or photonic sensing systems
• Experience with networking, high-speed data interfaces, DMA, or real-time data streaming
• Experience with low-power or battery-operated embedded systems
• Experience with PCB schematic capture, layout, or design review
• Background in research, rapid prototyping, or government-funded R&D
• Exposure to AI/ML implementation on embedded or edge-computing platforms
• Experience using AI tools such as Pytorch and Tensorflow
• Familiarity with photodetectors, LEDs, lasers, or other semiconductor sensing devices
• Experience characterizing electronic, optical, or environmental noise in low-SNR sensing systems

What We Offer

• Work on impactful, cutting-edge technologies in sensing, communications, and advanced electronics
• Collaborative, mission-driven research environment
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Opportunities for technical growth and leadership

The salary range is: RE I - $63,873-$95,013; RE II -$81,522-$121,266 . Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. Positions may also qualify for SRI's Pay for Outstanding Performance program or the annual Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to https://www.sri.com/resources/benefits/. SRI will accept applications until the position is filled.

SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For almost 80 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.