Director of Hardware Engineering

Salt Lake City, Utah - 100% Onsite

Full Time

Team Size: 160 Engineers and Engineering Managers

We are seeking a strategic, hands-on Engineering Director to lead the Hardware Engineering team within the Broadband Communication Systems (BCS) Sector. The ideal candidate is a seasoned defense industry leader with deep experience in hardware domains such as antenna, RF, PCB, electrical, or mechanical systems, and has successfully led and scaled large engineering teams.

This role will provide technical, personnel, and operational leadership to a growing team of 160 engineers across critical Department of Defense (DoD) programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, grow, and develop a large, multi-disciplinary hardware engineering team with a strong focus on succession planning and capability development.
• Direct the technical execution and delivery of all hardware engineering programs and proposals, ensuring alignment with schedule, cost, and technical scope.
• Review and approve proposals, technical solutions, architecture, and cost estimates for new business and existing programs.
• Provide technical leadership to support IRADs, product design, systems integration, and mission-focused innovation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leaders in Program Management, Business Development, Systems Engineering, and Product Strategy to deliver on sector goals.
• Guide the execution of the technical roadmap and lead tool and process modernization to ensure engineering excellence.
• Assess and address capability gaps, ensuring the team is right-sized, skilled, and equipped for current and future needs.
• Represent the hardware organization in executive briefings, customer discussions, and internal reviews.
• Foster a culture of innovation, ownership, and technical rigor.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or related engineering field (Master's preferred).
• 15 years of hardware engineering experience in the Department of Defense (DoD) sector.
• Demonstrated experience leading large engineering teams (100 ), including managers and senior technical staff.
• Proven background in antenna, RF, PCB, electrical, or mechanical engineering.
• Strong technical judgment and ability to review, challenge, and approve proposals and engineering plans.
• Experience leading engineering efforts in schedule-, budget-, and risk-constrained environments.
• Experience managing DoD programs, proposals, and new business pursuits.
• Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance or higher (TS/SCI preferred).
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in engineering or business.
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVMS) and other defense program controls.
• Experience supporting the full hardware lifecycle—from R&D through production.
• Experience with engineering tools modernization, lab infrastructure, and hardware innovation platforms.
• Deep cross-functional experience collaborating in matrixed defense organizations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to lead through influence.
  
  

Recruiter Submission Template - Skill Matrix

Full Name:

Degree Major with University and Completion Year:

Total Years of Hardware Engineering Experience:

Total Years of Experience in Engineering Leadership Roles:

Have you led large engineering teams (100 )? (Yes/No - Please elaborate):

Do you have hands-on experience managing antenna, RF, PCB, electrical, or mechanical hardware teams? (Yes/No - Please specify):

Do you have a minimum of 15 years of Department of Defense (DoD) hardware engineering experience? (Yes/No - Please describe):

Do you have an active U.S. security clearance? (Yes/No - Please specify level and expiration):

Have you reviewed or led proposals for DoD programs? (Yes/No - Provide examples):

Do you have experience overseeing schedule, cost, and technical performance for hardware engineering projects? (Yes/No - Please elaborate):

Have you driven execution of a technical roadmap and modernization initiatives? (Yes/No - Please explain):

Do you have experience managing engineering tools, labs, and infrastructure over time? (Yes/No - Provide details):

Have you managed multiple layers of management (managers and engineers)? (Yes/No - Describe structure):

Have you provided customer-facing briefings or executive-level technical reviews? (Yes/No - Please elaborate):

Do you have experience in proposal development, IRAD leadership, or R&D programs? (Yes/No - Share examples):

Motivation / Reason for Relocation (if applicable):

Motivation / Reason for Interest in this Position:

Contact Number:

Email ID:

LinkedIn Profile:

Full Address (Street, City, State, ZIP Code):

Notice Period (in weeks):

Ideal Start Date for the Candidate:

Current Work Authorization Status (U.S. Citizen, Green Card, etc.):

Expected Salary:

Are you willing to work relocate and work 100% onsite in Salt Lake City, Utah? (Yes/No):