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Defense Electrical Engineer Jobs in West Roxbury, MA

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 ...

Electrical Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$120 - $145/hr

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

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$110 - $170/hr

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 ...

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 Manager

Wilmington, MA · On-site

$146.50 - $224.50/hr

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

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 ...

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 ...

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

$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 ...

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Showing results 1-20

Defense Electrical Engineer information

See West Roxbury, MA salary details

$51.7K

$113.8K

$172.1K

How much do defense electrical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense electrical engineer in West Roxbury, MA is $113,789.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $135,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 cities near West Roxbury, MA are hiring for Defense Electrical Engineer jobs?

Cities near West Roxbury, MA with the most Defense Electrical Engineer job openings:

Principal Electrical Engineer

Thales Defense & Security, Inc.

Billerica, MA • Hybrid

$147K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) Headquartered in Clarksburg, MD, is a U.S. company that has been serving domestic and international defense Air, Land and Sea domains for 60+ years. With over 1,000 employees, TDSI and its four subsidiaries (Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Digital Receiver Technology, Tampa Microwave, and Trusted Cyber Technologies), supports U.S. Joint Services, special operations forces and multi-national partners with a variety of communication, visualization, signal intelligence/electronic warfare, and sensor/sonar capabilities. TDSI's key technologies include tactical handheld radios, expeditionary satellite terminals, helmet-mounted displays, optics and target recognition capability, advanced radars, undersea sensing and missile systems. Lives depend on what we do!

 

Top Benefits (Subject to terms of applicable policies/plans)

  • Competitive Salary
  • Yearly Incentive Compensation Plan
  • Medical insurance for self and eligible family members
  • Generous 401(k) program- up to 7% company contribution and 100% immediate vesting
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Paid wellness, vacation, and holiday leave
  • Paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave
  • 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)
  • Hybrid working environment

We currently have an opening in our Billerica, MA office for a Principal Electrical Engineer. This position reports to the Electrical Engineering Manager located in Aurora, IL.  The Principal Electrical Engineer performs the electrical design of small, lightweight, helmet mounted display equipment. The candidate will work as a member of a design team by providing quality designs using advanced principles of electrical engineering, produce detailed designs using Altium, support prototype builds and verification testing, create and maintain bills of material, and provide supplier support during the procurement of materials.  The ideal candidate will be able to lead Project Meetings and coordinate Product Development from product inception to production handoff.  

Responsibilities

  • Lead small digital engineering teams and/or work independently to define requirements, conceive, document (create schematics, interface control documents, hardware design documents, test plans/reports, etc.), analyze/simulate, build prototypes, oversee PCB layouts, perform verification testing, debug, and optimize digital circuit designs to meet requirements at the circuit, card, and product levels.
  • Perform technical trade studies and analyses to select digital architecture and key components.
  • Design, simulate, analyze and test a variety of analog and digital circuits and components commonly used in helmet mounted display equipment.
  • Create electronic circuit schematics and lead PCB design/layout activities.
  • Create documentation to manufacture printed wiring assemblies (PWAs) and transition designs to manufacturing.
  • Write technical documents: test procedures, test datasheets, technical memoranda.
  • Mentor and provide technical oversite to junior engineers.  
  • Verify product performance vs. predictions for prototype products and production hardware products.
  • Develop detailed design specifications, test plans and test procedures.
  • Analyze product failure data and malfunction testing trends, troubleshoot yield issues, and recommend product improvements, including test improvements.
  • Participates in continuous improvement and team building activities. Maintains productive working relationships with all team members.
  • Generate documentation for programming individual components, loading firmware on circuit card assemblies and loading firmware into fully assembled products.
  • Effectively troubleshoot problems (define problem, collect data/facts, and draw conclusions), and implement solutions.
  • Identify alternate components and perform qualification testing in order to replace obsolete components.
  • Plan, design and manage PWB re-layout activities in order to replace obsolete components. 
  • Support test yield improvement activities in a manufacturing environment.
  • Act as liaison between manufacturing diagnostic technicians and engineers on existing products and during transfer of new products manufacturing.
  • Evaluate the effects of modified firmware on existing hardware platforms.
  • Support R&D efforts and continuous process improvements.
  • Complete assigned tasks in a quality and timely manner with minimal supervision.
  • Effectively support and communicate to management status, issues, needs and ideas.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

  • U.S. Citizenship required. - Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
  • BSEE/MSEE in Electrical Engineering.
  • 8+  years of experience in detailed circuit card design (board-level schematic design and capture), analysis and test.
  • Extensive lab experience required- including hands-on design optimization, bringing boards up, and testing prototype/production designs.
  • Digital design experience should include circuit card assemblies containing: PSoCs, Microprocessors, FPGAs/CPLDs, CODECs, USB drivers/switches and HUBs, RS-232/RS-485 drivers and switches, Low-EMI clocks/distribution (14.4MHz - 48MHz).
  • Ability to analyze a design to meet technical requirements.
  • Experience with DoD standards and practices (MIL-STD, ASTM, ANSI, DO-160 etc.).  
  • Proficiency in the use of schematic capture tools, ideally Altium Designer, Siemens/Mentor Xpedition, or OrCAD.
  • Experience with Microsoft Office tools, such as, MSExcel, MSWord, Visio and MSProject.
  • Strong communication skills both verbal and written.
  • Ability to comply with all Company guidelines, policies, procedures and embrace Company Core Values. 

The annualized pay range for this role is $149,988-$191,652 USD along with a target incentive compensation plan (ICP) of 5%. The pay range provided is a good faith estimate representative of the experience level for the role described above.  TDSI considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

For specific questions about this job posting, candidates may contact talent acquisition at careers@thalesdsi.com.

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. is committed to non-discrimination as applicable under federal, state and local laws. We are an E-Verify Employer.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales Defense & Security, Inc., please call Human Resources at 202-961-1016.

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