Hardware Engineering Manager

Seeking a dynamic manager to lead our small, thriving engineering client’s hardware engineering team in the Research Triangle Park. The Hardware Engineering Manager will be responsible for designing cutting-edge solutions that exceed customer expectations. In this role, you will provide critical technical oversight to your team (5-8 members), reviewing their designs and contributions, helping them overcome challenges while also fostering professional growth and maintaining high levels of employee satisfaction. The Hardware Engineering Manager reports directly to the Director of Engineering.

This is a direct-hire opportunity with benefits. Target salary is $140,000 but there is upward flexibility potential for highly qualified candidates. The Hardware Engineering Manager must reside in the Raleigh-Durham metro area in NC, USA to fulfill the mostly-onsite schedule needs of the role. Some limited day travel to Charlotte, NC may happen infrequently. No visa sponsorship, subcontracting, or fully remote arrangements are available.

Responsibilities of the Hardware Engineering Manager:

• Technical & Project Execution (10-15%)
• Perform detailed hardware design and development work on client projects as a billable contributor.
• Estimate project tasks and timeline to inform statements of work.
• Interface with prospective and existing clients to understand and manage technical expectations.
• Ensure hardware solutions are well-architected, practical, and aligned with project objectives.
• Lead and enforce design reviews and contributions from engineering team to ensure technical quality, maintain standards, and ensure adherence to customer/product requirements.
• Provide critical technical oversight and guide engineers through technical challenges in RF, embedded systems, PCB design, and regulatory compliance.
• Drive root cause analysis and document lessons learned to improve future execution.
• Assist and lead on recovery plans when problems arise in projects and tasks (budget, schedule, etc.).
• Team Leadership (40%)
• Manage a team of 5–8 hardware engineers, including workload oversight, daily technical direction, and personnel administration.
• Hold regular one-on-ones; provide direct, constructive feedback on performance and professional development.
• Identify and develop technical leads within the team; empower them to support daily project operations.
• Mentor engineers on processes, design standards, and engineering best practices.
• Inspire and motivate the team by aligning business and individual goals.
• Foster a collaborative, communicative team culture; recognize and celebrate contributions from all team members regardless of seniority or background.
• Exemplify and reinforce the company values.
• Strategy & Operations (~50%)
• Establish and maintain quality standards.
• Drive continuous improvement through process definition and disciplined execution.
• Collaborate with the Director of Engineering to allocate resources and staff projects effectively, ensuring optimal utilization and setting future work up for success.
• Identify and manage third-party vendor relationships.
• Establish and manage non-project hardware budget (tools, training, etc.).
• Review and support the hiring process.
• Collaborate with cross-functional peers to establish best practices and business-wide efficiencies.
• Lead cross-discipline brainstorming sessions.
• Maintain a smooth and well-defined onboarding experience for new staff.

Qualifications of the Hardware Engineering Manager:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 10 years of hands-on electronic hardware engineering experience, with a focus on embedded systems, IoT, and/or RF product development.
• 1 years in a management or equivalent leadership position.
• Proficiency in Altium Designer.
• Strong understanding of digital and analog circuit design, low power management, signal integrity, and RF fundamentals.
• Familiarity with at least one regulatory certification process (FCC, UL, safety testing, IECEx/ATEX, or similar); experience across multiple frameworks is a plus.
• Comfortable working across multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced consultancy environment.
• Strong communication skills necessary to interact with project managers and clients.
• Experience managing hardware teams in a consulting or services environment a plus.
• Exposure to regulated-industry development (e.g., medical IEC 62304, industrial standards) preferred.

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