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Defense Electrical Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY

... or defense industries, preferably with relevant medical device design exposure. * Must have ... Electrical Engineering, Root Cause Investigation, Requirements Management, Product Integration ...

Senior Electrical Engineer

Rochester, NY · On-site

$90K - $168K/yr

... defense technology company delivering innovative mission solutions * Senior Electrical Engineer ... Please apply ONLY if you Have a BSEE or BSCE degree United States Citizenship is required Due to ...

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Showing results 1-20

Defense Electrical Engineer information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$49.8K

$109.6K

$165.8K

How much do defense electrical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense electrical engineer in Rochester, NY is $109,610.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,900.00 and $130,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Defense Electrical Engineers?

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 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Defense Electrical Engineer, and why are they important?

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 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.

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Defense Electrical Engineer jobs? Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Defense Electrical Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Defense Electrical Engineer job openings in Rochester, NY as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,610 per year, or $52.7 per hour.

Sr. Specialist Electrical Engineer

Kable Workforce Solutions

Rochester, NY

$106K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Senior Specialist Electrical Engineer
Rochester, NY • Defense Industry • Full-Time

Position Snapshot
Location: Rochester, New York (on-site)
Compensation: Based on experience
Employment Type: Full-time, direct hire
Seniority Level: Mid-Senior
Benefits: Full benefits package — health, dental, vision, 401(k) match, FSA, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays
Relocation Assistance: Available
Interview Travel: Reimbursed
Travel Required: None
Visa Sponsorship: Not available
Security Clearance: Not required at hire — must be eligible to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance
About the Role
Join a dedicated team of engineers supporting mission-critical military communication products from pre-release through end of life. As a Senior Specialist Electrical Engineer, you will investigate and resolve a wide range of technical issues — RF/analog, digital, assembly, SMT, and test-related — and collaborate across multifunctional teams to diagnose problems to the component level, develop solutions through simulation and experimentation, and implement corrective actions.
You will also be a partner with design engineering on new product launches, supporting root cause analysis, prototype troubleshooting, and successful transition into full rate production.
Key Responsibilities
  1. Mitigate component shortages by qualifying alternatives or redesigning circuits and sub-assemblies.
  2. Identify and implement design, process, and test improvements to increase test yields and overall product quality.
  3. Partner with cross-functional teams to meet manufacturability, testability, and other DFx requirements for volume production.
  4. Collaborate with design engineering and manufacturing teams to introduce new designs into production.
  5. Recommend and implement circuit changes prior to and during new product launches.
  6. Drive component obsolescence mitigation throughout the product lifecycle.
  7. Provide technical guidance to junior engineers, lead investigations, and coordinate task priorities.
  8. Work with vendors, Quality, and Supply Chain to resolve material discrepancies.
  9. Troubleshoot units, modules, and boards to the component level.
Required Qualifications
  1. Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience; or a Graduate degree with a minimum of 4 years; or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 10 years of relevant RF experience.
  2. 4+ years of hands-on RF experience.
  3. Demonstrated experience with RF design — defense industry experience strongly preferred.
  4. Hardware troubleshooting capability across analog and RF components and circuits.
  5. Proficiency designing and conducting engineering experiments and acting on test results.
  6. Experience designing and analyzing circuits using ADS, MATLAB, and other simulation tools.
  7. Proven ability to lead small technical design or troubleshooting teams, prioritizing tasks to meet yield and shipment targets.
  8. Skilled in standard lab equipment: oscilloscopes, DMMs, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and signal generators.
  9. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to deliver clear technical presentations to all levels of management.
  10. Ability to work independently with general supervision in a fast-paced, multi-team environment.
  11. Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
  1. Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
  2. Experience with tactical Radio and Power Amplifier hardware.
  3. Demonstrated experience troubleshooting to the component level.
  4. Working knowledge of LabVIEW, ADS, and Jira.
  5. Advanced proficiency with MS Office, including spreadsheet manipulation and presentation development.
  6. Excellent interpersonal skills with internal teams and external suppliers.
Important Notes for Applicants
  1. Candidates must be in or willing to relocate to Rochester, New York. Relocation assistance is available.
  2. RF design experience in the defense industry is strongly preferred.
  3. Candidates whose RF background is primarily in cellular/commercial wireless are not a fit for this role.
  4. This role does not offer visa sponsorship.
Application Screening
Applicants will be asked to confirm their eligibility to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance.