Electrical Engineer — Electronic Safe/Arm/Fire Devices

ABOUT FATHOM ROBOTICS

Fathom Robotics provides applied engineering, integration, and test services for unmanned systems supporting U.S. Government and commercial defense programs. We develop electronic safe/arm/fire devices and integrate them across all-domain unmanned platforms spanning maritime, ground, and air. We have multiple active projects and are actively fielding systems in operational environments.

We are a small, tight-knit team with a culture of gritty hard work, transparency, and genuine investment in our people. We do not have a sprawling corporate facility. We have a working shop, real hardware, and a team that figures things out. Associates who thrive here are resourceful, proactive, and comfortable operating without a lot of hand-holding. In return, we are deeply committed to setting our people up for long-term success, whether that means growing into a full-time role at Fathom or launching a career across the commercial defense companies we support.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Fathom Robotics is hiring an Electrical Engineer to support active prototype development, systems integration, and field test operations across our programs. The primary focus of this role is electronic safe/arm/fire device development and integration with all-domain unmanned systems spanning maritime, ground, and air platforms. PCB design and fabrication is the core technical competency. You will own real subsystems and see your work operate in the field alongside customers and end users.

This position is well suited to an engineer who is energized by a fast-moving hardware environment and wants to build hands-on experience designing firing and energetics electronics for defense unmanned systems.

PROGRAM CONDITIONS:

Work is based at our Fort Worth, TX facility with occasional travel for range testing, field events, and customer demonstrations. This is a full-time, on-site position.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• PCB design, layout, and fabrication coordination for electronic safe/arm/fire devices and embedded power systems.
• Analog and digital circuit design — firing circuits, power conditioning, signal conditioning, and sensor interfacing.
• High voltage and pulse power circuit design and validation.
• Integration of ESAD systems with all-domain unmanned platforms, including maritime, ground, and air vehicles.
• Subsystem bench testing across power, communications, and ordnance interface electronics.
• Soldering, wiring, and hands-on electrical assembly and validation.
• Mechanical assembly, fabrication support, and vehicle fit-checks.
• Support for range testing, field events, and real-time troubleshooting during test.
• Direct participation in customer demonstrations and operational test events.
• Technical documentation and test reporting.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree (or equivalent hands-on experience) in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field. Electrical Engineering strongly preferred.

PCB Design and Fabrication

• 2 to 5 years of PCB design experience with demonstrable hardware outcomes
• Proficiency with a PCB layout tool such as KiCad, Altium, Eagle, or equivalent
• Experience working with PCB manufacturers, including vendor selection, DFM review, and gerber submission
• Exposure to both analog and digital circuit design; depth in one is acceptable, breadth in both is preferred

Electronics and Systems

• High voltage and pulse power circuit experience — required for this role
• Confident, production-quality soldering and hand-wiring
• Hands-on bench troubleshooting with standard instruments (oscilloscope, multimeter, bench supply)
• Familiarity with microcontroller and SBC platforms such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, STM32, Teensy, or similar
• Awareness of ESD discipline and safe handling practices for electrosensitive and electro-explosive devices

General

• Some programming experience in C, C++, or Python (embedded context preferred; expert-level not required)
• Comfortable with physical fabrication, assembly, and working in a lab and shop environment
• Willing to travel occasionally for range and field test events
• US person status required (defense program context)
• SECRET clearance required or must be eligible to obtain one; additional access requirements are expected as programs develop

PREFERRED BACKGROUNDS:

• Prior experience with electronic safe/arm/fire devices or ordnance interface electronics Familiarity with fuze and firing system safety standards such as MIL-STD-1316 or MIL-STD 1901A
• Experience integrating payloads or subsystems across multiple unmanned platform types (USV, UGV, UAV)
• Exploding foil initiator or other electric initiator experience
• 3D printing and additive fabrication for prototyping
• Experience with RC drones, boats, or other small unmanned platforms
• R&D or rapid prototyping background
• Battery management systems or power electronics

HOW TO APPLY:

Send your resume to talent@fathomrobotics.net with the subject line:

Electrical Engineer — ESAD – [Your Name]

Candidates who include examples of prior relevant projects or hardware work will receive highest priority consideration. Links to project documentation, photos, GitHub repositories, or a brief summary of circuits you have designed and built are strongly encouraged.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person