Hardware Engineering Director

As the Director of Hardware Engineering, you will lead the design, development, qualification, and deployment of our scalable, electronically‑steered radar for advanced spaceborne ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) missions. You will lead development of mission‑critical hardware across RF/antenna systems, high‑speed digital, mixed‑signal electronics, power electronics, and mechanical/thermal packaging, taking products from concept through flight. You will guide multi‑disciplinary teams to deliver high‑performance compliant hardware in harsh LEO (Low‑Earth orbit) environments, ensuring technical excellence, schedule and budget accountability, and seamless integration with spacecraft bus partners.
The ideal candidate must have the drive and experience to complete projects independently and on aggressive timelines.
Lead the definition of hardware system architecture for electronically‑steered radar subsystems including electronically steered antennas, RF front‑ends, power electronics, high‑speed digital and mixed‑signal electronics, and embedded processing hardware.
Direct full product lifecycle execution: requirements, architecture, detailed design, prototype build, environmental/radiation/EMI‑EMC qualification, manufacturing introduction and spacecraft integration.
Recruit, hire, manage and mentor cross‑disciplinary engineering teams, guiding execution, staffing, team growth, and culture of ownership and innovation.
Partner closely with system engineering, software/firmware, GNC, payload/instrument, and operations to ensure coherent hardware‑software interaction, robust performance, and smooth delivery.
Own hardware V & V and TRL‑advancement strategy: signal/power integrity analysis, reliability modeling, and environmental testing (thermal, vibration, shock, vacuum, EMI/EMC, radiation).
Proactively collaborate with Program Management Office to manage schedules, budgets, risk mitigation, and resource plans to meet mission performance and reliability targets.
In conjunction with Program Management Office, drive manufacturability, cost efficiency, and quality through DFX (Design for Excellence) principles and NPI hand‑off to production partners.
Support engagement with customers, suppliers, and subcontractors throughout the product development life cycle.
BS/MS, or PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent discipline.
Must be eligible to obtain and hold a US DoD security clearance (TS with SCI).
4-5+ years in leadership/management of engineering teams across hardware disciplines.
Significant experience as a principal‑level individual contributor working with multi‑disciplinary engineering teams delivering complex spaceborne hardware.
Technical depth in RF/Microwave, Antenna systems, Radar, high‑speed digital and mixed‑signal electronics and power electronics.
Experience with PCB design, EMI/EMC practices, and mechanical/thermal packaging for high‑reliability hardware.
Proven success qualifying hardware for environmental and radiation conditions and supporting spacecraft/field deployments.
Demonstrated understanding of program planning, budget control, schedule execution, risk management, and cross‑functional resource management.
Excellent communication skills, with ability to present to senior leadership and collaborate with customers and suppliers.
RF, Antenna, radar, EMI/EMC, PCB, design, electronics, beam‑steering, modeling, simulation, signal integrity, program planning, risk management, spaceborne
RF, Antenna, radar, EMI/EMC, PCB, design, electronics
Familiarity with space‑qualified component engineering, radiation‑tolerant design trade‑offs and COTS‑to‑space conversion strategies.
Familiarity with modeling and simulation tools for RF/antenna, signal/power integrity, thermal/structural analyses.
Experience in defense contracting environments or ISR/target‑tracking radar missions.
Experience collaborating across global supply chains and managing subcontractors.
Medical, dental & vision
Short and long‑term disability
Health & Dependent Care Spending Accounts (HSA & DCFSA)
Employee Assistance Program
This is a Permanent position based out of Seattle, WA.
In addition to base pay, full‑time roles include competitive equity grants that reward innovation, impact, and long‑term growth.
Application Deadline
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. xrczosw With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email for other accommodation options.