Electrical Engineer – Embedded Programming (Hardware Simulators / HIL Testbeds)

Overview

We’re seeking an Electrical Engineer with strong embedded programming skills to design, build, and maintain hardware simulators and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testbeds used to validate real-world systems before they reach the lab, range, or field. You’ll work at the intersection of electronics, firmware, and test automation; creating simulation hardware, interface boards, and real-time control/monitoring software that makes system testing faster, safer, and more repeatable.

If you enjoy hands-on lab work, debugging across hardware + firmware boundaries, and building tools that other engineers rely on every day, this role will feel right.

Pay Range $104,000 - $182,000

The pay range for this position is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, geographic location, and any applicable laws

Responsibilities

• Design and integrate hardware simulators that replicate real equipment behavior in a lab environment.
• Develop embedded software/firmware to control simulator hardware, generate stimuli, capture telemetry, and implement real-time behaviors.
• Build and maintain HIL testbeds: wiring, configuration management, automated bring-up, calibration, and test execution workflows.
• Create test utilities and automation (Python/C/C++ preferred) to run scenarios, log data, generate reports, and support regression testing for hardware.
• Design interface circuitry and harnessing for common buses and I/O (., SPI/I2C/UART/CAN, Ethernet, GPIO, ADC/DAC, PWM, discretes).
• Use lab instrumentation (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, spectrum analyzer) to debug timing, signal integrity, and protocol-level issues.
• Author clear engineering artifacts: schematics, interface control docs, test procedures, software readmes, and troubleshooting guides.
• Collaborate with systems, software, and test teams to translate requirements into simulator capabilities and verification coverage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or closely related field.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience.
• Embedded programming experience in C/C++ on microcontrollers or embedded Linux (device bring-up, drivers, peripherals, timing).
• Experience developing or integrating hardware + firmware systems, including board-level interfaces and real-world debugging.
• Comfort with common digital interfaces (SPI/I2C/UART/CAN/Ethernet) and using test equipment to validate signals and timing.
• Ability to work from requirements to implementation: scoping, designing, building, testing, and documenting.

Nice to have

• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), simulators, emulators, or automated test stands for complex systems.
• FPGA familiarity (even at an integration level), high-speed interfaces, or mixed-signal design (ADC/DAC selection, anti-aliasing, clocking).
• Device driver development, kernel modules, or low-level Linux performance/timing optimization.
• Familiarity with at least one embedded environment: bare-metal, RTOS (., FreeRTOS), or embedded Linux.
• Experience with networking and time synchronization concepts (PTP, NTP), data logging pipelines, or telemetry protocols.

Security requirements

• Citizenship: . citizenship required
• Clearance: Active Secret required

Typical tools & technologies (for keyword alignment)

• Languages: C/C++, Python, Bash
• Embedded: ARM Cortex-M/A, STM32/NXP/TI-class MCUs (or similar), embedded Linux, RTOS
• Interfaces: SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, GPIO, ADC/DAC, PWM
• Lab: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, power supplies, DAQs
• Workflow: Git, issue tracking, CI-style testing for firmware/test utilities (where applicable)

About i3

i3 is a technically diverse, 100% team member owned business, headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama specializing in missile and aviation systems engineering and logistic services, electronic warfare and electromagnetic effects analysis, UAS system integration and flight operations, full lifecycle C5ISR engineering services, cybersecurity and IT/IA innovative solutions and virtual training, simulation & serious game development and implementation. We have established a broad offering of products and capabilities collectively providing decades of experience supporting the full complement of DoD military services, Missile Defense Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and a variety of other Government organizations and private industry customers.

Perks of being a team member owner include:

• Long-term financial security
• Higher job satisfaction
• Greater job security
• Personal and professional growth
• Great company culture

Other outstanding benefits:

• Excellent insurance coverage
• 401(k) match
• Generous PTO
• Health and wellness incentives
• Tuition and certification reimbursement
• Countless opportunities to give back to the community through i3 Cares

We work hard. We compete hard. We play hard. Apply now to join us!

i3 is an Equal Opportunity/VEVRAA employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, genetics, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the i3 Career page as a result of your disability.

You can request reasonable accommodations by calling (256) 513-5179 or by sending an email to Thanks for your interest in i3. i3 is a drug-free workplace. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited. All candidates who receive conditional offers of employment are subject to drug testing.

As a government contractor, i3, its current team members, and all prospective team members are required to adhere to the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Guidance and all associated Federal Acquisition Regulation(s). There may be additional customer site vaccination requirements based on work location, facility, and travel.

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