Senior Systems Engineer

HRL Laboratories pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers – ready for real-world application. For more than 70 years, HRL’s rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other — often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways. As a private company owned jointly by Boeing and GM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art.

HRL Laboratories pioneers world-class infrared sensor systems for aerospace and defense, enhancing national capabilities through innovative solutions. We collaborate closely with our customers to transform emerging needs into high-performance outcomes. Our business model leverages our focus on advanced research and product delivery, ensuring customer satisfaction and mission success.

This candidate will serve as a systems level technical leader and the primary customer technical point of contact. They will drive architecture decisions, guide cross disciplinary engineering teams, and ensure alignment from concept through delivery while maintaining strong, proactive customer communication.

Essential Duties:

•    Act as the main technical point of contact, delivering clear updates on requirements, status, risks, and decisions
•    Convert customer needs into system requirements with traceability and alignment through proactive communication
•    Develop system architectures for complex IR sensor products to support roadmaps and mission goals
•    Lead cross-functional teams in requirements definition, allocation, flow-down, and verification planning, promoting effective communication
•    Conduct technical trade studies, reviews, and make major engineering decisions, including system optimization and resolving critical issues
•    Oversee system-level risk management, including identification, assessment, tracking, mitigation, and stakeholder communication
•    Plan and execute verification and validation programs, tailoring methodologies for new technologies and government qualification
•    Manage configuration control, support change management, and facilitate technology transition from prototypes to production

Required Qualifications:

•    Bachelor’s or master’s in engineering plus 6+ years in R&D for components, devices, or microsystems
•    Excellent communication and presentation skills; able to engage customers, leaders, and teams
•    Proven track record moving technology from research to prototypes or low-volume production
•    Experience delivering systems to DoD, NASA, or aerospace standards with leadership in engineering
•    Skilled in data and statistical analysis for performance, verification, and sensor assessment
•    In-depth knowledge of IR camera systems, including architecture, applications, and testing methods
•    Familiar with wafer fabrication, advanced packaging, microelectronics design, and system integration

Special Requirements:

US Citizenship required with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay Range: $154,500 - $197,900


• Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.

• Benefits: HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment.


• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: https://www.hrl.com/careers/benefits

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. 

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

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