Open Positions
Fifth Gait offers competitive salaries and outstanding benefits including company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage, annual bonuses, and a retirement plan including company matching and profit sharing.
Electrical Engineer- Radiation Effects
Colorado Springs, CO
$85,000 - $125,000 a year - Full-time
Benefits
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Parental leave
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Retirement plan
- 401(k) matching
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Profit sharing
Job Description
Join the innovative team at Fifth Gait Technologies and become an integral part of our fast-paced, industry-leading company. We specialize in designing and executing tests of microelectronics and electro-optics in nuclear and natural space radiation environments. We are looking for an Electrical Engineer to work with our team as an innovator and future leader in the industry.
WHO WE ARE: Fifth Gait Technologies, Inc. is a minority woman-owned small business founded in 2007. With our team of subject matter experts, we are an industry leader in all aspects of radiation survivability for ground and space-based Defense systems. From modeling and simulation of radiation environments and effects to the design, test, and evaluation of sensors, electronics, and optical materials, we provide turnkey solutions to the survivability community. With laboratory facilities in Colorado Springs, CO and Huntsville, AL, our team of engineers and scientists are developing solutions to industry challenges.
OUR CULTURE: Fifth Gait Technologies is a fast growing, small company making a big impact in the Defense and civilian aerospace community. At Fifth Gait, you can be part of a team that works together for common goals and celebrates the success of the team and the individual. In the family atmosphere of our company, we hold high standards of conduct where professionalism and fairness are keys to our success.
WHO YOU ARE:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field, advanced degree is a plus
- Experience: 0 to 10 years
- Required: the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance
Responsibilities
- Design, assemble and test circuit boards used for evaluation of microelectronics
- Perform radiation effects testing of microelectronic devices at both on-site and off-site radiation test facilities
- Develop test plans and test reports for radiation testing
Desired Experience/Skills:
- Creating electrical schematics and circuit board layouts using KiCAD or other industry standard PCB tools such as Altium
- Benchtop testing and debugging of circuit boards
- Working with microcontrollers, FPGAs, embedded programming
- Basic programming with Python and/or C/C++
- Hardware Description Languages (HDL) such as Verilog or VHDL
- Embedded systems design, analysis, and testing
- Mixed signal design and high-speed data acquisition experience
- Working experience with radiation test facilities and/or nuclear physics a plus
FPGA Firmware Engineer
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
$85,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Fifth Gait offers competitive salaries and outstanding benefits including company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage, annual bonuses, and a retirement plan including company matching and profit sharing.
Job Description
We are seeking an FPGA Firmware Engineer to support hardware development for radiation effects testing of microelectronics and complex electrical systems supporting advanced aerospace, defense, and high-reliability applications. This is an opportunity to work on meaningful, technically complex projects while being part of a collaborative and supportive engineering team.
In this role, you will help design and develop FPGA-based solutions used in radiation effects experiments, custom instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and advanced test platforms. You’ll work closely with electrical engineers, software developers, physicists, and test engineers in an environment that values teamwork, curiosity, and knowledge sharing.
We recognize that great engineers come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where collaboration, mentorship, and diverse perspectives are valued. If you are excited about the role but do not meet every qualification listed, we still encourage you to apply.
This position offers the chance to build specialized expertise at the intersection of firmware, hardware, and advanced electronics while working on programs that have real-world impact.
WHO WE ARE
Fifth Gait Technologies is a minority woman-owned small business founded in 2007 that specializes in radiation effects, survivability engineering, and advanced electronics and sensor system solutions for defense, aerospace, and energy applications. The company supports government agencies, prime contractors, and commercial partners by developing and testing resilient microelectronics, electro-optical systems, sensors, and embedded technologies designed to operate in extreme nuclear and space radiation environments.
At our facility in Colorado Springs, Fifth Gait brings together engineers and scientists with expertise in radiation effects on electronics and circuits, electro-optical and infrared sensor systems, detector technologies, and materials. Our team develops and executes complex test programs to evaluate performance, reliability, and survivability in harsh operational environments.
The team at Fifth Gait is known for solving technical problems that require innovation across electrical, mechanical, software, and physics disciplines.
WHO YOU ARE
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering or related field
- 0 to 10 years of experience
- U.S. citizen able to obtain a government security clearance
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop FPGA/microcontroller firmware and participate in custom board bring-up
- Support test engineers in radiation effects testing of complex microelectronic devices at both on-site and off-site radiation test facilities
- Participate in schematic and layout reviews
- Data collection and analysis
DESIRED EXPERIENCE / SKILLS
- Strong experience in FPGA development required
- Proficiency in FPGA dev tools Vivado and/or Libero required
- Proficiency in HDL programming (VHDL and/or Verilog) required
- Basic programming with Python and embedded C/C++
- Embedded systems design, analysis, and testing/debug
- Able to read and interpret schematics and board layouts
- Solid understanding of low-level communication protocols
- Multi Gigabit transceivers
- Complex/high-speed communication protocols
- Memory module bring-up (i.e. flash, DDR, etc.)
- Familiarity with high-speed ADC/DAC a plus
- Working experience with radiation test facilities and/or nuclear physics a plus
Electro-Mechanical Engineer
Electro-Mechanical Engineer
Colorado Springs, CO
$85,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year
Benefits
Fifth Gait offers competitive salaries and outstanding benefits including company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage, annual bonuses, and a retirement plan including company matching and profit sharing.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Job Description
We are seeking a hands-on Electro-Mechanical Engineer to support the development, operation, and maintenance of advanced radiation test facilities. This role involves mechanical design, automation, instrumentation integration, troubleshooting, fabrication, and prototype development in a laboratory environment supporting defense and aerospace applications. The ideal candidate is comfortable working across mechanical, electrical, and industrial controls to build and improve custom test equipment, fixtures, motion systems, and data acquisition hardware used in radiation effects testing and characterization of electronics, sensors, and materials.
WHO WE ARE
Fifth Gait Technologies is a minority woman-owned small business founded in 2007 that specializes in radiation effects, survivability engineering, and advanced electronics and sensor system solutions for defense, aerospace, and energy applications. The company supports government agencies, prime contractors, and commercial partners by developing and testing resilient microelectronics, electro-optical systems, sensors, and embedded technologies designed to operate in extreme nuclear and space radiation environments.
At our facility in Colorado Springs, Fifth Gait brings together engineers and scientists with expertise in radiation effects on electronics and circuits, electro-optical and infrared sensor systems, detector technologies, and materials. Our team develops and executes complex test programs to evaluate performance, reliability, and survivability in harsh operational environments.
The team at Fifth Gait is known for solving technical problems that require innovation across electrical, mechanical, software, and physics disciplines.
WHO YOU ARE
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent real-world experience
- Someone who thrives as a jack of all trades in a hands-on environment
- Minimum of 4 years related work experience
- U.S. citizen able to obtain a government security clearance
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design, build, modify, and maintain custom mechanical and electro-mechanical systems in support of radiation effects testing
- Support the operation and maintenance of a Deuterium-Tritium fusion neutron source
- Develop CAD models for 3D printing of prototypes and test fixtures
- Troubleshoot and repair laboratory equipment, test systems, fixtures, and hardware
- Make it go. Whatever it may be
DESIRED EXPERIENCE / SKILLS
- 3D printing design using SolidWorks CAD software
- Maintaining and operating Prusa 3D printers
- Hands-on mechanical fabrication and assembly
- Design and assembly of electrical wiring, controls, sensors, motors, actuators, and instrumentation
- Familiarity with (i.e. not necessarily an expert) PLCs, microcontrollers, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and embedded systems
- Basic Python programming/scripting
- Comfortable in a laboratory environment
- Executing and adhering to lab safety protocols
- Pronounce “nuclear” better than the 43rd President of the United States
- Have come to the realization that sometimes it be the way it be because it do
Work Location: In person
Creating Industry Leaders
Fifth Gait nurtures an environment that thrives on pushing the boundaries of research and development. We strike the perfect balance between collaborative teamwork and fostering individual creativity. Our unwavering commitment to mentorship ensures that we cultivate the next generation of visionary technology leaders who play a pivotal role in safeguarding our national and global interests.
Benefits
Insurance
We prioritize the health and well-being of our employees and their families by providing 100% company-funded platinum coverage for health, dental, and vision insurance.
Retirement
We support our employees in securing their financial future by matching 401k contributions to individual retirement accounts and providing discretionary profit sharing.
Additional Coverage
Fifth Gait covers the costs of life insurance, accidental death, short-term, and long-term disability insurance for employees working at least half-time.
Bonuses
Our team members enjoy periodic bonuses and referral bonuses as part of our commitment to recognizing and rewarding exceptional contributions.
Tuition/Training Reimbursement
Continuous learning is paramount at Fifth Gait. We encourage our employees to pursue professional growth through tuition and training reimbursements.
Holidays and Vacation
Our full-time employees receive generous paid vacation time, starting at 4 weeks, along with twelve paid holidays throughout the year.
Diversity is not just a buzzword at Fifth Gait; it is at the core of our success. Our employees’ diverse backgrounds, coupled with the unique perspectives of our leadership, are the driving forces behind our long-term growth. Whether it’s exceeding client expectations or advancing aerospace technology, we recognize that true innovation stems from our diverse team.
We champion equality by fostering an inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities for all, whether they are employees, leaders, clients, suppliers, or contractors. As a small minority-woman-owned business, we fully comprehend the importance of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion both within our company and beyond.
