Lead Hardware Engineer - Onsite position

Lead Hardware Engineer

Curtiss-Wright is seeking a Lead Hardware Engineer for an onsite position within their Defense Solutions Group. The role involves leading the design and development of complex electrical boards, including single board computers (SBC), FPGA, switch, and input/output cards in 3U and 6U VPX form factors, as well as custom form-factor systems incorporating software, firmware, and hardware security elements.

• Lead collaboration with engineering, project management, test, and operations teams in small, highly integrated, multidisciplinary teams to meet demanding customer requirements.
• Lead the design and development of 3U and 6U VPX SBC, FPGA, switch, and I/O cards supporting high-speed data processing applications.
• Lead the design and development of custom form-factor systems incorporating SBC, FPGA, switch, and I/O cards, power supplies, and thermal management elements, including Liquid-Flow-Through (LFT) methods.
• Provide technical leadership in translating customer requirements into system architectures, functional designs, and hardware solutions.
• Evaluate technical feasibility and recommend design approaches balancing performance, cost, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Act as a technical lead for hardware development activities, supporting project execution, design reviews, and technical decision-making.
• Lead hardware testing, qualification, and troubleshooting activities to ensure compliance with requirements and customer expectations.
• Establish and promote engineering best practices to improve product performance, reliability, and time-to-market (TTM).
• Develop, review, and maintain technical procedures, design documentation, and engineering manuals.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical direction to support team development and successful project execution.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in DoD embedded systems and hardware design, including SBC, FPGA, switch, and I/O card development.
• Extensive experience designing mixed-signal, high-speed digital, analog, and low-power, high-current circuits in high-reliability environments.
• Strong experience designing high-density interconnect (HDI) PCBs, including complex multi-layer designs, multi-lamination processes, blind/buried vias, and uVia structures.
• Hands-on experience with Siemens Expedition DX Designer (SCH) and Siemens Expedition PCB tools.
• Ability to lead technical efforts, prioritize competing tasks, drive execution, and deliver results in high-pressure, schedule-driven environments.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership, mentoring engineers, and guiding complex hardware designs from concept through production.
• Strong understanding of hardware architecture, design trade-offs, verification, qualification, and production support.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams, customers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Preferred:

• US Citizenship required; active DoD security clearance preferred.

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off
• I 401K with Employer Match and Profit Sharing
• Health and Wellness Benefits
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Referral Program
• Competitive Pay
• Recognition
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Inclusive & Supportive Culture

Company Overview: Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions is a trusted leader in electronic components, integrated circuitry, mechanical systems, and DSP systems. They provide superior products and services that meet the defense and aerospace industries' toughest challenges with best-in-class value. Their solutions address air, ground, and naval defense applications, and are focused on growth segments with a high demand for advanced technology, enhanced safety, security, and performance.