Description

About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

About the role

Forterra is building a new generation of mission module capabilities for autonomous ground systems integrating high-impact payloads like Counter-UAS, fire-control, combat engineering, and advanced ISR into a scalable platform architecture. We're looking for a highly capable Electrical Engineer with experience designing, integrating, and validating complex electrical and networking systems, especially within open architecture frameworks such as the U.S. Army Interoperability Profile (IOP).

You'll play a critical role in ensuring that mission payloads interface reliably and safely with our autonomy stack, power systems, and tactical networks. This is a hands-on role where you'll collaborate closely with autonomy, software, systems, and mechanical teams, government stakeholders, and third-party subsystem providers to drive safety-critical and warfighter-relevant outcomes.

What you'll do

• Design and integrate power distribution, communications, signal routing, and compute infrastructure for mission payloads, including kinetic effectors, RF systems, sensors, and fire-control modules
• Architect modular, standards-compliant interfaces using open frameworks like IOP, VICTORY, J1939, and ensure conformance with MIL-STD-1275, MIL-STD-464, MIL-STD-461, and MIL-STD-882E
• Develop and validate electrical artifacts such as interface control documents (ICDs), wiring diagrams, and harness documentation
• Lead hands-on system integration, bring-up, and testing across lab and field environments, including EMI/EMC validation and battlefield failure mode protection. • Design and develop custom PCBs and electrical subsystems using Altium, including support for sensor and camera systems with common video transports (GMSL, FPD-Link, Ethernet video)
• Collaborate with government stakeholders and third-party subsystem providers to align requirements, validate performance, and support operational testing and deployment. Provide ongoing troubleshooting, qualification, and user-centric support for fielded and production systems

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in electrical engineering for defense, robotics, or autonomous platforms
• Strong understanding of open systems architecture standards (IOP, VICTORY) and mission module integration practices
• Proficiency with Ethernet, CAN, and serial-based payloads, including fire-control systems and safe/arm architecture
• Experience in autonomous or robotic systems for DoD use, with working knowledge of power budgeting, MIL-STD-1275 compliance, and vehicle-based DC distribution (12V48V)
• Hands-on experience with RF integration and EMI/EMC compliance to MIL-STD-464 and MIL-STD461
• Experience developing custom PCBs using Altium
• Competency in sensor and camera system integration with video transport standards
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-882E and safety-critical electrical design principles
• U.S. Persons and eligibility for a security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Support experience for live-fire exercises, test events, or operational demos of integrated weapon systems
• Familiarity with platform power management strategies, including load shedding, battery management (BMS), and redundant architectures
• Proven history working with Fire control systems and other Mission Critical systems IAW with DOD standards (MIL-STD-882E, WSESRB, FUZE)
• Knowledge of NATO STANAGs related to vehicle and payload interoperability
• Experience collaborating with defense primes or integrators and developing supporting documentation (ICDs, test procedures, verification reports)
• Proficiency in simulation and analysis tools (e.g., SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink) for EMI/EMC modeling or circuit validation
• Exposure to MIL-STD-810 or similar environmental qualification standards Experience in rapid prototyping and iterative development, including bench-top testing and debugging
• Familiarity with CAN diagnostic tools (Vector, CANalyzer, SavvyCAN)

US Salary Range
$125,000$160,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra's overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances:click here.

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra's candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice.

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