Staff Electrical Engineer 1 (Acoustics Emphasis)

Looking for a career in an industry focused on designing, developing, and rapidly deploying solutions to problems of national importance? Applied Research Associates (ARA) is seeking excellent scientists and engineers and has opportunities available immediately.

Our work spans basic scientific studies through concept development and productization allowing us to transition our knowledge and prototypes to fulfill critical needs for end users.

Successful candidates will have a chance to support research in areas such as acoustics, electromechanical systems, audio sensing, human effects, specialized materials, signal processing, embedded systems, and systems-level test and validation.

What you’ll do as a Staff Electrical Engineer:

• Perform analog and digital circuit analysis, schematic review, and hardware debugging for new and existing designs.
• Lead board bring-up activities for custom PCBs, resolving issues involving power, signal integrity, mixed signal interfaces, and acoustic signal paths.
• Support acoustic system development, including measurements, tuning, prototyping, and evaluating electroacoustic subsystem interactions.
• Conduct acoustic and electrical measurements using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, audio test equipment, and Python and/or MATLAB-based tools.
• Test and troubleshoot integrated systems involving electrical hardware, embedded firmware, and acoustics-related components, ensuring requirements are met.
• Assist embedded software, audio system, and research engineers with system level debug, identifying root causes that span electrical, acoustic, and firmware boundaries.
• Work from engineering drawings and written or verbal instructions to prototype, validate, and iterate system designs.
• Assist in estimating labor and materials required to complete assigned tasks.
• Prepare clear oral and written reports as necessary.
• Travel or extended work hours may be required.

Position Requirements

• Requires a BS in Electrical Engineering or equivalent field and 2-4 years of full-time work experience.
• Strong skills in analog and digital circuit analysis, troubleshooting, and mixed-signal design.
• Experience with board bring-up and diagnosing issues in custom hardware.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and layout drawings.
• Familiarity with audio or acoustics systems (microphones, speakers, analog frontend circuits, noise analysis).
• Knowledge of Python and/or MATLAB for data analysis, audio testing, automation, or laboratory workflows.
• Comfortable with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, function generators, logic analyzers, and audio measurement tools.
• Familiarity with Linux environments and rapid prototyping using tools such as Raspberry Pi for sensor interfaces or test fixtures.
• Innovative, can-do mindset bringing new ideas to the table.
• US Citizen; able to obtain a security clearance.

Additional Skill Preferences

• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Experience troubleshooting digital systems with logic analyzers or equivalent.
• Experience with acoustic measurements, tuning, or systems-level audio evaluation.
• Knowledge of control systems and their application to electromechanical or acoustic systems (highly desired).
• Ability to create simple circuit schematics.
• Familiarity with Altium or similar PCB layout tools.
• Familiarity with MS Office environment (Outlook, Excel, Word).

For best consideration, please apply by July 20, 2026.

Company & Division Information

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is an employee-owned scientific research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and critical problems. Founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, ARA currently has over 2,200 employee-owners in offices throughout the United States and Canada providing a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. In addition, we provide sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employee-owners are at the heart of every success. We embrace employee ownership which spawns greater creativity, initiative, and higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. All eligible employees have the opportunity to earn annual contributions to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and all of our employee-owners can directly impact our shared success.

ARA offers competitive benefits that address our employees' needs now and in the future. Learn more about each of our benefits at https://www.ara.com/benefits/.