Timing Systems Engineer

Timing Systems Engineer

Bandelier Technologies is a New Mexico deep-tech company developing next-generation quantum sensing capabilities, in close partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Our work originates from cutting-edge laboratory research and is transitioning toward system-level development and real-world application.

We are seeking a Timing Systems Engineer to own the classical timing infrastructure at the core of our sensing and measurement platform — precision synchronization protocols, time-tagging hardware integration, and the RF and digital electronics that bridge physical measurement to software-layer analytics. This is a hands-on build role, not a support position.

Role Overview

You will own the design, integration, and validation of precision timing systems that operate at the intersection of RF electronics, synchronization protocols, and advanced sensing instrumentation. You will work directly with hardware and software team members to bring measurement systems from bench to prototype, and from prototype toward deployable product.

This is not a theoretical or support role. You will be making hardware and firmware decisions that determine whether the system works.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement precision synchronization architectures based on IEEE 1588 PTP, White Rabbit, or equivalent protocols for networked timing applications

• Select, integrate, and characterize time-tagging and event-timestamping hardware for high-resolution timing measurement applications

• Characterize oscillator behavior including Allan deviation, phase noise, and holdover modeling under field conditions

• Build and maintain hardware-software interfaces that deliver timestamped timing and measurement data to downstream analytics and signal processing pipelines

• Design and execute controlled test campaigns to characterize system behavior across environmental and operational conditions; support development of labeled reference datasets for validation and algorithm development

• Integrate environmental sensor data (temperature, vibration, RF environment) with timing observables to support multi-channel system characterization

• Support integration of classical timing outputs with GNSS-disciplined clocks, RF/microwave references, and local oscillators

• Document hardware design decisions, test procedures, and integration specifications

• Collaborate closely with hardware, software, and scientific team members to ensure end-to-end system integration and coherence

Required Experience and Education

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field

• Hands-on experience implementing IEEE 1588 / PTP or White Rabbit synchronization protocols — familiarity is not sufficient; we need someone who has built and debugged these systems

• Experience with FPGA or embedded firmware development for timing applications (Xilinx / Intel FPGA experience common in this space)

• Proficiency with time-tagging hardware integration and high-resolution event timestamping systems

• Experience characterizing oscillator performance: Allan deviation, phase noise analysis, holdover behavior

• Comfort working in a hands-on lab environment with precision instrumentation and mixed hardware/software systems

• Strong Python or C skills for hardware control, data acquisition, and pipeline integration

Preferred Experience

• Experience at NIST, a national lab, or a particle physics facility (Fermilab, CERN, Jefferson Lab, SLAC) where precision fiber timing is used operationally

• Background in telecom synchronization infrastructure (SyncE, SONET/SDH, grandmaster clock systems)

• Familiarity with quantum photonic systems or single-photon detection hardware — you do not need to be a quantum physicist, but comfort working alongside quantum hardware is a plus

• Experience with fiber optic timing links and dispersion-related delay characterization

• Exposure to defense or government-funded R&D environments

• Active security clearance or ability to obtain one (Secret minimum)

Why Bandelier Technologies

This is a foundational technical role with direct ownership over a critical system layer, close collaboration with scientists and engineers building at the edge of what’s possible, and meaningful influence over how advanced measurement technology transitions from laboratory to deployable product. It is a rare opportunity to do serious precision engineering at an early-stage defense tech company with real program traction and national lab partnerships.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.