Contract Embedded Engineer Jobs in Sterling, VA (NOW HIRING)

At Thorlabs, we design and manufacture components, instruments, and systems that transform the world by identifying, enabling, and accelerating key photonics (i.e., light-based) technologies. Backed by a dedicated workforce of more than 3,000 employees worldwide, Thorlabs contributes to cutting-edge research and real-world innovation.

Whether you're early in your career or bringing years of experience, you'll find opportunities to grow, take ownership, and make meaningful contributions from day one. We know every employee brings unique talents and perspectives that fuel our success, and we seek driven individuals who are excited to make an impact in a fun, fast-moving culture.

The Electrical/Embedded Engineer II is responsible for the design, development, integration, and firmware support of advanced electronic systems used in scientific imaging products, microscope systems, and research instrumentation. This position works within cross-functional, global development teams to create innovative hardware and embedded solutions that integrate with complex software systems for image acquisition, high speed data processing, system control, and calibration.

The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between hardware design and low-level embedded software, owning electronic modules from initial architecture, circuit design, prototyping, validation, and production release through manufacturing support. This position requires a strong understanding of electronic circuit design, embedded systems, system integration, and troubleshooting, with an emphasis on developing robust, reliable, and manufacturable products within a lean manufacturing environment.

The Electrical/Embedded Engineer II will contribute to the successful transition of new products from concept to production and will occasionally participate in technical discussions with customers, sales, field service personnel, suppliers, and manufacturing teams.

Design and develop electronics for precision scientific instruments, microscope systems, and peripherals.

Develop embedded firmware and hardware abstraction layers for microcontrollers and embedded processors using C/C++.

Design low-noise analog, digital, and mixed-signal electronic circuits for precision instrumentation, imaging systems, detectors, laser control, motion control, and data acquisition.

Own electrical designs from concept through schematic capture, PCB layout, prototype validation, debugging, manufacturing release, and sustaining engineering.

Develop electro-optical and electro-mechanical designs supporting new catalog products and custom systems.

Integrate electrical, firmware, software, optical, and electromechanical subsystems into complete imaging systems.

Troubleshoot complex system-level issues involving hardware, firmware, software, optics, and electromechanical assemblies.

Perform circuit simulation and electronic verification using industry-standard simulation and laboratory tools.

Design manufacturing test fixtures, validation procedures, and production test plans.

Prepare and maintain engineering documentation including BOMs, schematics, PCB files, drawings, test procedures, manufacturing documentation, and material specifications.

Support transfer of new products from R&D into Manufacturing emphasizing DFM and DFT.

Manage project schedules, technical milestones, and engineering deliverables.

Coordinate with component vendors, PCB fabricators, contract manufacturers, and suppliers.

Participate in design reviews and mentor junior engineers and technicians.

Assist Manufacturing and Production with troubleshooting.

Occasionally participate in technical discussions with customers, Sales, Product Management, and Field Service.

Requirements

Qualifications:

4-8 years of experience designing electronic hardware and embedded systems for scientific instrumentation, microscopy, biotechnology, medical devices, semiconductor equipment, or precision motion control systems.

Demonstrated experience independently developing products from concept through prototype, validation, manufacturing release, and production support.

Experience troubleshooting complex hardware, firmware, and integrated system issues.

Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams in a product development environment.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, or related engineering discipline required.

• Master's Degree preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and directly applicable experience may be considered

Specialized Knowledge and Skills:

Analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuit design.

Low-noise analog design, signal conditioning, timing circuits, clock generation, and precision measurement electronics.

Power supply and power distribution design.

Advanced Altium Designer schematic capture and multilayer PCB layout.

High-speed impedance-controlled PCB routing.

Embedded firmware development in C/C++.

ARM Cortex or similar processors.

Hardware Abstraction Layers (HAL).

I2C, SPI, UART, USB, and Ethernet.

Integration of electrical, firmware, software, optical, and electromechanical subsystems.

Troubleshooting integrated imaging systems.

Optoelectronic circuit design and control systems.

SPICE simulation.

Oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and laboratory instrumentation.

Scientific imaging, microscopy, laser control electronics, FPGA/VHDL/Verilog, EMC/EMI, precision motion control, semiconductor or biotechnology instrumentation.

The estimated pay range for this role is $84,900 - $ 110,000 annually

Thorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identify or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts.  The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer.  Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law. 

Benefits

Thorlabs offers a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, a generous PTO package, a 401(k) plan, and tuition reimbursement just to name a few.