About Forterra

At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.

Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

About the role

Forterra is seeking a hands-on Electrical Engineer with strong ECAD expertise to support the design and development of hardware systems for autonomous vehicle platforms. This role combines electrical circuit design, validation testing, and PCB/cable ECAD implementation with ownership of ECAD data quality and library integrity.
The ideal candidate is equally comfortable designing circuits, debugging hardware in the lab, and implementing disciplined ECAD practices that ensure clean, reusable, production-ready design data.

What you'll do

Electrical Design & Validation

• Design and develop digital and analog circuits for embedded systems, networking hardware, and power subsystems.
• Perform schematic capture and collaborate closely with PCB layout implementation.
• Conduct hardware bring-up, debugging, and validation testing at board and subsystem levels.
• Perform simulation and analysis to validate electrical performance.
• Troubleshoot complex hardware issues using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and power analyzers.
• Support prototype builds and assist with transition to production.
• Generate clear and accurate technical documentation.
  
  

ECAD & Library Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain high-quality schematics and PCB layouts using Altium Designer (or equivalent).
• Ensure ECAD data adheres to internal standards for symbols, footprints, and documentation.
• Contribute to and maintain ECAD component libraries, including parametric data, 3D models, and release readiness.
• Review PCB designs for signal integrity, power integrity, grounding, and manufacturability considerations.
• Maintain design templates, output job files, and release documentation to ensure consistency.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and PLM teams to ensure accurate design releases.

Minimum Qualifications

Strong hands-on electrical design experience (digital and analog). Deep familiarity with ECAD tools and PCB design workflows. Practical troubleshooting and lab validation experience. Detail-oriented mindset with focus on design data accuracy. Ability to work independently while collaborating across teams. B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. 3–6+ years of hardware design experience. Experience with Altium Designer, OrCAD, or similar ECAD platforms. Experience designing complex multilayer PCBs. Experience with high-speed digital and mixed-signal designs. Strong lab debugging and hardware validation skills. Familiarity with manufacturing constraints and DFM/DFA practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automotive or high-reliability hardware.
• Experience with networking hardware or embedded systems.
• Familiarity with ISO 26262 or military environmental standards.
• Experience with ECAD library management and design data governance.
• Exposure to signal integrity or power integrity analysis.

US Salary Range
$120,000 — $160,000

Location

Hybrid in Clarksburg, MD

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here.

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra’s candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice.