Systems Engineer 3

Engineering

Systems Engineer 3 El Segundo, CA Posted: 9/15/2026

Job Description

Job ID#:

225501

Job Category:

Engineering

Position Type:

Associate - W2

Duration:

52

Shift:

1

Positions Available:

3

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Systems Engineer 3, in El Segundo, CA. Job ID#225501

Pay Rate: $75 - $80/hr

Job Description:

We are seeking a Computer Systems Engineer with 5 9 years of professional experience to support the development and integration of space payload emulators in El Segundo, CA. In support of Boeing Defense Systems next-generation space programs, this role focuses on hands-on hardware/software development for embedded systems (Xilinx SoC/FPGA) and front-end UI/UX control interfaces.

This position is tailored for an engineer who thrives in a hands-on lab environment, working side-by-side with multidisciplinary teams (hardware, firmware, software, and test engineers) to bring up hardware, integrate software/logic, and build intuitive emulator interfaces.

Key Responsibilities

Embedded Software & FPGA Platform Integration

Develop, configure, and maintain embedded software and firmware on Xilinx SoC platforms (Zynq UltraScale+, Versal).

Implement and debug Processing System to Programmable Logic (PS/PL) interfaces, AXI interconnects, and memory maps.

Develop and validate Board Support Packages (BSP), PetaLinux/embedded Linux distributions, device drivers, and low-level communication interfaces (PCIe, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART).

Lead hands-on board bring-up, hardware/software integration, and system-level debugging in a lab environment using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers.

Front-End GUI & Operator Interface Development

Design and implement responsive, reliable front-end graphical user interfaces (GUIs) using Java or modern JavaScript frameworks (e.g., React, Vue, Angular, or JavaFX/Electron).

Build control dashboards, telemetry displays, and command interfaces for payload emulation testbeds and operational teams.

Integrate UI applications with embedded back-end services, APIs, and hardware endpoints for real-time monitoring and control.

Multidisciplinary Lab Collaboration & Hardware/Software Integration

Partner closely with FPGA logic designers, hardware engineers, and systems testers in a collaborative lab environment to diagnose issues and validate end-to-end emulator functionality.

Drive rapid prototyping, root-cause troubleshooting, and iterative testing on lab benches and test fixtures.

Provide technical leadership during hardware/software co-design and integration milestones.

Software Quality & Workflow Optimization

Utilize Xilinx toolchains (Vivado, Vitis, PetaLinux, SDK) for software build pipelines, profiling, and debugging.

Follow modern software engineering practices, including code reviews, documentation, and version control using Git/GitLab.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor s or Master s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.

Experience: 5 9 years of professional experience in embedded hardware/software development and integration.

Embedded Xilinx Platforms: Hands-on experience developing for Xilinx SoC/MPSoC architectures (Zynq UltraScale+, Versal).

Xilinx Toolchains: Demonstrated proficiency with Xilinx design and development tools (Vivado, Vitis, PetaLinux, SDK).

PS/PL & Driver Integration: Proven experience with PS/PL integration, embedded Linux / RTOS, board bring-up, and device driver development.

Front-End Development: Practical development experience creating user interfaces and GUIs using Java (e.g., JavaFX/Swing) or JavaScript (e.g., React, Node, Vue, Electron) frameworks.

Lab & Debugging: Strong hands-on lab troubleshooting and debugging skills using lab test equipment (logic analyzers, DMMs, oscilloscopes, JTAG debuggers).

Team Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and collaborate proactively in multidisciplinary, lab-centric engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience developing custom FPGA IP, working with High-Level Synthesis (HLS), or interfacing with custom hardware peripherals.

Experience with high-speed serial protocols and network communications (10GbE, PCIe, Aurora, SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553).

Experience building real-time data streaming and command-and-control (C2) visualization tools for space or aerospace test systems.

Familiarity with CI/CD build pipelines, automated testing, and containerized workflows (Docker) for embedded targets.

Demonstrated technical leadership during complex hardware/software integration campaigns.

Education / Experience: Bachelor's degree and typically 5 or more years' experience in an engineering classification or a Master's degree with typically 3 or more years' experience in an engineering classification or a PhD degree with experience in an engineering classification.

Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance:

Secret

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act

• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled