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Defense Electrical Engineer Jobs in Massachusetts

MRLN) is a publicly traded aerospace and defense company building a non-human pilot to deliver full ... You are a motivated and detail-oriented electrical engineer who is excited to help develop next ...

Electrical Engineer

Lexington, MA · On-site

$129K - $171K/yr

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied ... ABOUT THE JOB As an Electrical Engineer at Anduril Imaging, you will design and develop advanced ...

Backed by VCs with unicorn wins and trusted by defense customers, our team is rethinking autonomy ... AI is looking for an Electrical Engineer with specialization in board development and RF to join ...

Electrical Engineer

Plymouth, MA · On-site

$45 - $68/hr

Electrical Engineer Seeking an Electrical Engineer to support production and sustainment of ... defense, marine research, and commercial applications. The team provides design, autonomy ...

Electrical Engineer Seeking an Electrical Engineer to support production and sustainment of ... defense, marine research, and commercial applications. The team provides design, autonomy ...

Description Optikos is seeking a skilled and collaborative Electrical Engineer to join our Product ... We develop innovative products in the life sciences, aerospace and defense, industrial, and ...

Optikos is seeking a skilled and collaborative Electrical Engineer to join our Product Development ... We develop innovative products in the life sciences, aerospace and defense, industrial, and ...

Electrical Engineer

Wakefield, MA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

Optikos is seeking a skilled and collaborative Electrical Engineer to join our Product Development ... We develop innovative products in the life sciences, aerospace and defense, industrial, and ...

Electrical Engineer Manager

Wilmington, MA

$133K - $172K/yr

We serve customers in industries spanning aerospace and defense, specialized vehicles, turf care ... About the Role We are looking for an experienced Electrical Engineer Manager to lead the design and ...

Electrical Engineer Manager

Wilmington, MA · On-site

$133K - $172K/yr

We serve customers in industries spanning aerospace and defense, specialized vehicles, turf care ... About the Role We are looking for an experienced Electrical Engineer Manager to lead the design and ...

Electrical Engineer Manager

Wilmington, MA · On-site

$133K - $172K/yr

We serve customers in industries spanning aerospace and defense, specialized vehicles, turf care ... About the Role We are looking for an experienced Electrical Engineer Manager to lead the design and ...

Electrical Engineer

North Falmouth, MA · On-site

$90K - $121K/yr

These markets include aerospace and defense, factory automation, air and water quality ... Electrical/Embedded Software Engineer Level 3 Summary Teledyne TapTone is a leading manufacturer of ...

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Defense Electrical Engineer information

What is a defense electrical engineer?

Defense Electrical Engineers are specialized professionals who design, develop, test, and oversee the manufacturing of electrical equipment used in military and defense applications. Their work often involves creating advanced electronic systems for communication, surveillance, navigation, and weapons systems that must meet rigorous safety and reliability standards. These engineers collaborate with other defense professionals and must stay up-to-date with evolving technologies and security requirements. Their expertise is critical to ensuring the effectiveness and safety of defense systems in challenging environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a defense electrical engineer?

To thrive as a Defense Electrical Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, circuit design, and systems analysis, typically supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering. Familiarity with technical tools such as MATLAB, CAD software, and industry-specific standards, as well as security clearance and certifications like PE (Professional Engineer), are often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure the development of reliable, secure, and innovative defense solutions that meet stringent safety and regulatory requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by defense electrical engineers when working on military projects?

Defense Electrical Engineers often navigate complex challenges such as adhering to strict security protocols, meeting rigorous performance and reliability standards, and integrating cutting-edge technologies within legacy defense systems. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams—including mechanical engineers, software developers, and project managers—is essential for ensuring that designs meet project specifications and regulatory compliance. Additionally, they may face tight deadlines and the need to rapidly adapt to evolving defense requirements, making strong problem-solving and communication skills crucial.

What is the difference between Defense Electrical Engineer vs Defense Systems Engineer?

AspectDefense Electrical EngineerDefense Systems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, security clearance often requiredBachelor's or higher in Systems Engineering, security clearance often required
Work EnvironmentDesigning electrical components, circuits, and systems for defense applicationsIntegrating and managing complex defense systems, including electrical and software components
Industry UsagePrimarily in electrical hardware development for defense projectsInvolved in system-level integration across multiple engineering disciplines

Defense Electrical Engineers focus on designing and developing electrical hardware and systems for defense applications, while Defense Systems Engineers oversee the integration of various subsystems, including electrical, software, and mechanical components. Both roles require security clearances and collaborate closely in defense projects, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

Can defense electrical engineers work in the defense industry?

Yes, defense electrical engineers typically work in the defense industry, designing and developing electronic systems for military applications. They often work on projects involving radar, communication systems, and weapon control, requiring knowledge of military standards and security clearances.

How much do defense electrical engineers make?

Defense electrical engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $100,000 to $130,000, depending on experience, education, and security clearance level. Salaries can vary based on location, industry sector, and specialized skills such as circuit design or systems integration.

What are popular job titles related to Defense Electrical Engineer jobs in Massachusetts?

For Defense Electrical Engineer jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Massachusetts are hiring for Defense Electrical Engineer jobs?

Cities in Massachusetts with the most Defense Electrical Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Defense Electrical Engineer job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

$85K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

About Merlin:
Merlin (NASDAQ: MRLN) is a publicly traded aerospace and defense company building a non-human pilot to deliver full-stack autonomy for any aircraft from takeoff to touchdown. The Merlin Pilot autonomy system powers a growing range of aircraft and mission profiles and has been proven through hundreds of autonomous flights from Merlin's global flight test facilities, including Kerikeri, New Zealand; Quonset Point, Rhode Island; and soon, Bedford, Massachusetts. Headquartered in Boston, Merlin is expanding its organization to accelerate the development and deployment of its autonomy platform, helping customers solve some of aviation's most pressing challenges, from pilot shortages to improving flight safety. Backed by some of the world's leading investors prior to its public listing, Merlin continues to advance the certification and commercialization of autonomous flight across commercial and defense aviation. 

About You:
You are a motivated and detail-oriented electrical engineer who is excited to help develop next-generation autonomous aerospace systems. You thrive in fast-paced startup environments where collaboration, ownership, and technical excellence are critical to success. You bring experience designing and integrating complex electrical systems for aerospace, robotics, autonomous systems, or other high-performance hardware applications.
 
You enjoy solving challenging technical problems and working across multidisciplinary teams to bring advanced hardware from concept through flight testing and production. You are comfortable balancing rapid development timelines with the rigor required for mission-critical systems and regulated environments. You are hands-on, adaptable, and passionate about building reliable, scalable electrical architectures that enable autonomous flight.
Responsibilities:
  • Design, develop, and integrate electrical systems and hardware for autonomous aircraft platforms including power distribution, avionics interfaces, harnessing, sensors, communications, and embedded electronics
  • Create schematics, wiring diagrams, and electrical documentation to support prototype and production hardware builds
  • Support electrical architecture development, component selection, system integration, and hardware validation activities
  • Collaborate closely with mechanical, avionics, software, systems engineering, manufacturing, and flight test teams to ensure seamless integration across aircraft systems
  • Perform electrical analysis, troubleshooting, and root cause investigations to resolve hardware and integration issues
  • Support prototype assembly, hardware bring-up, integration testing, environmental testing, and flight test operations
  • Develop and execute electrical test plans, validation procedures, and qualification activities
  • Work with suppliers and manufacturing partners to support fabrication, sourcing, and production readiness efforts
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, manufacturability, weight optimization, power efficiency, and system performance
  • Operate effectively in a fast-moving development environment with evolving priorities and aggressive execution schedules
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline
  • 1-3 years of professional electrical engineering experience in aerospace, autonomous systems, robotics, automotive, defense, or other high-performance hardware industries
  • Experience designing and integrating electrical systems for complex electromechanical platforms
  • Experience creating wiring diagrams, wiring harness documentation, and electrical integration drawings
  • Knowledge of power systems, signal integrity, embedded hardware, sensors, communications interfaces, and avionics integration principles
  • Hands-on experience with hardware bring-up, lab debugging, electrical testing, and troubleshooting
  • Familiarity with oscilloscopes, multimeters, logic analyzers, and other electrical lab equipment
  • Understanding of EMC/EMI considerations, grounding strategies, and reliability-focused design practices
  • Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams
  • Experience supporting autonomous aircraft, UAVs, eVTOL platforms, robotics systems, or flight hardware development is highly preferred
  • Hands-on mechanical prototyping a plus (3d printing, laser cutting, etc.)
  • Familiarity with FAA certification environments, aerospace standards, or regulated development processes is a plus
$85,000 - $115,000 a year

The compensation range provided is a good-faith estimate based on a wide range of factors, inclusive of base salary only. The actual offer will be determined by a variety of factors including the candidate's qualifications, skills, experience, education, and training. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Merlin's total compensation package. Additionally, Merlin offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees.

Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team-focused startup environment. We also offer a top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match) and work/life integration. Being part of the Merlin team allows you to become part of a small team that supports professional development while working together to achieve our mission.
 
Merlin Labs is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military service or obligation or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All job offers are contingent upon the candidate passing background and reference checks.
 
At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or consider candidates who require visa transfers. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future. 
 
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
 
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: [email protected]
 
Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.
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