HWIL Systems Architect - Flight Hardware Integration

Huntsville, AL

Full Time

Security Clearance: Active Secret Clearance required. 

Job Description & Position Responsibilities: Penta Research is seeking candidates to pioneer a cutting-edge hardware integration lab: Enable comprehensive, end-to-end testing of flight systems. Architect a dynamic testing environment: Integrate tactical hardware, sensor emulators, and physics simulators. Establish a robust HWIL platform: Ensure seamless validation of Units Under Test (UUT) in simulated mission scenarios.

The candidate will perform:

• Lab Architecture: Design and implement a comprehensive hardware integration lab for end-to-end testing.
• HWIL Implementation: Establish and manage Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) testing environments.
• System Integration: Integrate tactical hardware, sensor emulators, and physics simulators.
• Test Scenario Integration: Facilitate the integration of software simulations into hardware test scenarios.
• UUT Management: Configure the lab for various Units Under Test (UUT), including flight computers and auxiliary systems.
• Communication Protocol Management: Ensure seamless integration of communication protocols (e.g., SpaceWire, 1553, Ethernet, Fiber, SDLC).
• Hardware Device Management: Configure and utilize specialized hardware devices (e.g., Dell PowerEdge Servers, iHawk real-time computer systems, Spirent GNSS simulators).
• Collaboration: Work with software simulation teams to ensure hardware compatibility.
• Documentation: Draft detailed test plans, procedures, and reports.

Basic Qualifications:

• Proven experience in hardware integration and testing.
• Strong understanding of embedded systems and real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) testing.
• Basic understanding of software simulation principles and integration.
• Knowledge of communication protocols and network systems.
• Ability to design and implement complex hardware test environments.
• Familiarity with server hardware, and real-time computing systems.
• Ability to draft design architectures, rack diagrams, and system layouts using tools like Visio or Drawio.
• Ability to manage customer expectations and adhere to project schedules.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience with flight computers and avionics systems.
• Familiarity with physics simulators and sensor emulators.
• Experience with GNSS and PNT devices.
• Experience with test equipment such as iHawk and Spirent.
• Experience with tactical hardware.
• Ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Travel Requirement: 

Keyword Search: (optional) 

HWIL, Hardware Integration, Embedded Systems, RTOS, Flight Hardware, Avionics, GNSS, PNT, System Integration, Communication Protocols, Visio, Drawio.