Director of Hardware

Position Summary

The Director of Hardware leads Zone 5’s Mechanical and Electrical Engineering functions, developing world-class hardware capabilities and ensuring disciplined, high-velocity execution across all programs. This role owns the strategic direction, functional excellence, and organizational development of both ME and EE teams while partnering closely with Programs, Systems Engineering, and Manufacturing to deliver integrated aerospace systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Managers and their teams.
• Set the strategic vision and roadmap for hardware capabilities, tools, and processes across Zone 5.
• Ensure hardware engineering delivers robust architectures, detailed designs, and high-quality integration support on schedule.
• Partner with Programs and IPTs to allocate resources, drive execution discipline, and resolve cross-functional issues.
• Establish and maintain engineering standards for hardware design, analysis, review rigor, documentation, verification, and configuration control.
• Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace standards (AS9100, AS6500, DO-160, MIL-STD-461/704).
• Oversee major design reviews and readiness events—PDR, CDR, TRR—ensuring hardware content meets technical and programmatic requirements.
• Identify and execute capability investments (equipment, software, training) needed for functional scalability.
• Guide root-cause investigations and ensure systemic corrective actions across hardware disciplines.
• Serve as the senior hardware engineering representative in portfolio, business area, and executive-level reviews.

Qualifications

• A minimum of:
• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related discipline.
• 12+ years of hardware engineering experience in aerospace, defense, autonomous systems, or equivalent.
• 5+ years leading engineering managers or multi-disciplinary hardware teams.
• Demonstrated experience developing hardware architectures and scaling engineering processes.
• Strong understanding of DFMA, configuration control, integration workflows, and test readiness.
• Ability to lead in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment with multiple active programs.
• Experience in UAS, missiles, loitering munitions, or complex electromechanical systems.
• Familiarity with Solidworks, Altium, MBSE environments (Cameo), EVM, and AS6500-aligned program execution.
• Experience collaborating with vertically integrated manufacturing operations.

Pay

The pay range for this role is $220,000 - $280,000 USD.

Benefits

• Competitive total compensation package
• Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
• 401k with company-match
• 4 weeks of paid time off each year
• 12 annual company holidays

Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?

• Innovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

Application Information

To apply for this position, please visit our careers page and submit your application.