Sr. Hardware Development Engineer

About the role

You lead the demanding translation of defensive mission concepts into robust, operational hardware systems that directly address critical threat vectors. Your primary mission involves guiding complex defense hardware from nascent strategic ideas through rigorous validation and into deployed operational capability within aggressive timelines. You define the architectural and physical evolution of prototypes, ensuring they mature into validated, flight-ready articles that reliably protect global allies and partners. This position requires hands-on technical leadership and deep engagement across the entire hardware development lifecycle from concept to launch. You will operate at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, and thermal engineering to solve complex system-level challenges. Your work will directly influence the readiness and capabilities of defensive architectures deployed in demanding environments. You are expected to champion best practices in engineering rigor, documentation, and collaborative problem-solving to ensure program success.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Execute the complete design, analysis, and verification activities for hardware enclosures and structural interfaces, ensuring strict adherence to manufacturing tolerances and demanding thermal performance criteria.
• Conduct rigorous trade studies and evaluations of subsystem options to guarantee uncompromising reliability and performance within severe flight dynamics and environmental conditions.
• Partner closely with software and firmware teams to verify control logic integration and functionality through disciplined bench testing and hardware-in-the-loop simulations.
• Engineer and build sophisticated test fixtures and automated test setups that precisely simulate complex mission profiles, enabling rapid hardware iteration and validation.
• Collaborate with systems analysts and test engineers to convert raw test data into actionable design improvements and validated engineering insights.
• Author comprehensive technical documentation, including detailed configurations, procedures, and design rationales, to prepare resilient designs for seamless production scaling.
• Support the seamless integration of individual modules into complex, multi-component defense architectures and end-to-end system demonstrations.
• Guide critical electronic, mechanical, and electro-mechanical components through formal qualification processes with external laboratory partners and certification bodies.
• Leverage advanced CAD tools to develop and refine mechanical designs, ensuring manufacturability and compliance with stringent defense standards.
• Utilize scripting and programming languages to automate repetitive tasks, data analysis, and instrument control, thereby accelerating the development and test cycle.
• Apply extensive experience with test and measurement instrumentation to characterize hardware performance, diagnose anomalies, and validate system functionality.
• Implement and manage robust version control systems for all design documentation, schematics, and software configurations to maintain data integrity and traceability.
• Champion a culture of ownership, where you proactively identify risks, drive mitigation strategies, and ensure timely resolution of technical issues.
• Serve as a technical leader and mentor, elevating the capabilities of cross-functional teams through knowledge sharing and collaborative execution.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or a closely related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• Possess a minimum of 3 to 5 years of cumulative hands-on hardware development experience in a demanding technical environment.
• Demonstrate a firm and comprehensive grasp of electronic circuit design, mechanical engineering principles, and thermal management fundamentals.
• Show proven ability to accurately interpret complex technical drawings, specifications, and engineering schematics.
• Have a documented record of writing code, such as Python or C++, to control instruments, automate test procedures, and process data.
• Be capable of obtaining and maintaining a U.S. government security clearance at the appropriate level for access to classified defense information.
• Exhibit strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to debug intricate hardware and system-level issues under pressure.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to convey technical concepts to diverse audiences, including engineers, program managers, and government personnel.

Nice to have

• Prior work experience within defense programs, missile defense architectures, or related national security programs.
• Familiarity with modern containerized systems and infrastructure-as-code workflows using technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.

Practical notes

This role is based in Long Beach, California and requires physical presence. The position is full-time. The expected start date is aligned with business needs. Travel may be required to external laboratories, test sites, and partner facilities as necessary to fulfill mission objectives and support program milestones. You must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship.