Circuit Design Engineer, Principal

You will be the Circuit Design Engineer for the Hardware Engineering team at Lockheed Martin  Missiles and Fire Control (MFC). Our team delivers precision engagement aerospace and defense systems, designing, building and fielding the electrical hardware that powers missiles, sensors and other mission critical subsystems for the United States and allied militaries.

What You Will Be Doing

As the Circuit Design Engineer you will lead a multidisciplinary ROIC design group, define innovative architectures, and craft analog, mixed‑signal, and digital circuit blocks. You will partner with sensor, systems, and layout engineers to ensure the ROIC integrates seamlessly into the full IR sensor stack, while also managing project timelines, foundry interactions, and customer reviews. Your responsibilities will include:

• Defining ROIC system requirements and creating high‑level architecture concepts that meet performance, power, and cost goals.
• Designing and simulating key circuit blocks: advanced CMOS pixel arrays, ADCs, bias generators, digital control logic, memory, PLLs, and high‑speed transceivers.
• Overseeing schematic and layout coordination with dedicated layout engineers, ensuring DFM (design‑for‑manufacture) best practices.
• Conducting lab testing, debugging, and characterization of fabricated ROICs to validate functionality and performance.
• Managing the full design flow—from RTL/RTL‑C to physical implementation—using industry‑standard EDA tools.
• Leading project plans, schedules, and risk‑management activities; reporting status to program leadership and customers.
• Preparing and presenting technical documentation and design‑review material to internal stakeholders, senior leadership, and external customers.
• Coordinating with CMOS foundries for mask set generation, process selection, and fabrication support.
• Collaborating with sensor, optics, and systems engineers to guarantee seamless integration of the ROIC into complete IR imaging modules.
• Mentoring junior IC designers, fostering an inclusive, knowledge‑sharing culture, and organizing technical training sessions.

Why Join Us

Do you want to be part of a company culture that empowers employees to think big, lead with a growth mindset, and make the impossible a reality? We provide the resources and give you the flexibility to enable inspiration and focus. If you have the passion and courage to dream big, work hard, and have fun doing what you love then we want to build a better tomorrow with you.

We offer flexible work schedules to comprehensive benefits investing in your future and security. Learn more about Lockheed Martin’s comprehensive benefits package here.

Further Information About This Opportunity:

This position is in Santa Barbara, CA.

MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN - This position is located at a facility that requires special access. The selected candidate must be able to obtain a secret clearance. 

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college in a related discipline, or equivalent experience/combined education, with 14 years or more of professional experience; or 12 years of professional experience with a related Masters degree.
• Considered an expert, authority in discipline.
• Experience designing ROIC circuits for image sensor systems
• Excellent communication skills and working in collaborative team environments
• Experience as an ROIC design chip design lead
• Experience with ROIC design in the Cadence Virtuoso tool suite

• Top level and circuit block experience of imaging ROIC designs
• Experience designing pixels for IR ROIC sensors
• Analog circuit design of amplifiers, current mirrors, and other bias circuits
• Digital logic circuit design with custom logic blocks or with RTL behavioral design
• Mixed signal circuit design of high speed digital blocks such as memory, PLL’s, analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters, and high speed serial transmitters
• Transistor level layout mask design
• Serial interface designs including serial peripheral, I2C, and other standard command and control interfaces
• Linux C-Shell scripting
• Version control management of source code with industry standard tool such as Git or Cliosoft
• Project management and coordination of engineering teams over product lifecycles
• Understanding of IR sensor systems and all of their components
• Lab experience of test and troubleshooting ROIC sensor chip assemblies