Principal Hardware Design Engineer

Leidos is a FORTUNE 500® company bringing innovative technology and sector expertise to customers in national security, engineering, and health industries. We deliver solutions through diverse, talented people dedicated to customer success, guided by our Mission, Vision, and Values.

About the Role

Leidos is seeking an accomplished Principal Hardware Design Engineer to provide technical leadership in the design, development, testing, and reverse engineering of advanced hardware solutions supporting mission-critical Government programs. As part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, you will serve as a senior technical authority, guiding complex engineering efforts and shaping the future of hardware engineering for national security missions.

Your expertise will directly influence the development of critical hardware technologies enabling Intelligence Community operations.

Responsibilities

• Hardware Design & Development
  • Direct the design, development, testing, and continuous improvement of advanced integrated circuits, hardware components, embedded firmware, and signal processing technologies.
  • Lead complex hardware engineering initiatives ensuring designs remain reliable, manufacturable, cost-effective, and aligned with mission objectives.
  • Provide technical direction throughout the hardware development lifecycle to support successful delivery of complex engineering solutions.
  • Collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering organizations to resolve challenging technical problems and ensure project success.
• Physical Design & Implementation
  • Direct the application of ASIC and FPGA Place-and-Route (P&R) tools, engineering libraries, and physical implementation methodologies.
  • Oversee integration of new P&R tools, design libraries, and technology updates into the Government's computer-aided design environment.
  • Provide technical guidance for complex physical design, implementation, and optimization activities.
  • Collaborate with tool and library vendors to evaluate and implement innovative engineering solutions.
• Reverse Engineering & Analysis
  • Lead advanced reverse engineering efforts involving integrated circuits, firmware, and complex electronic components.
  • Oversee de-processing activities and firmware retrieval using approved reverse engineering procedures.
  • Develop novel reverse engineering methodologies supporting new component technologies and evolving mission requirements.
  • Guide hardware adaptation efforts that modify vendor-manufactured hardware to satisfy specialized Government needs.
• Technical Leadership & Innovation
  • Serve as an internal technical consultant, providing expert engineering guidance on the organization's most complex hardware design initiatives.
  • Direct and review the technical work of Hardware Design Engineers while promoting engineering excellence and knowledge sharing.
  • Mentor engineers across multiple experience levels, supporting technical growth and continuous learning.
  • Evaluate emerging hardware technologies, engineering tools, and design methodologies to improve engineering capabilities and mission performance.
  • Develop engineering best practices and technical standards that enhance design quality, innovation, and long-term maintainability.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance at time of application.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering from an accredited college or university. Five additional years of hardware design engineering experience may substitute for the degree.
• Minimum of twelve years of experience in integrated circuit or microelectronic component design or reverse engineering supporting programs or contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Intelligence Community or other national security missions.

Pay

Pay Range: $131,300.00 - $237,350.00. The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered include responsibilities, education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, market data, and applicable law.