Zone 5 Technologies

Aerospace engineering and high-volume munitions production

Director of Hardware

Engineering LeadershipConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeSan Luis Obispo, CA, USAIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline is required.
At least 12 years of hardware engineering experience in aerospace, defense, autonomous systems, or an equivalent field is required.
At least 5 years of experience leading engineering managers or multidisciplinary hardware teams is required.
Demonstrated experience developing hardware architectures and scaling engineering processes is required.
A strong understanding of design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA), configuration control, integration workflows, and test readiness is required.
Ability to lead in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment with multiple active programs is required.

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 integrated product teams (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, including AS9100, AS6500, DO-160, and MIL-STD-461/704.
Oversee major design reviews and readiness events, including PDR, CDR, and TRR, ensuring hardware content meets technical and programmatic requirements.
Identify and execute capability investments in equipment, software, and training needed for functional scalability.
Guide root-cause investigations and ensure systemic corrective actions across hardware disciplines.
Support proposal development by shaping hardware architectures, estimating labor, and defining execution approaches.
Serve as the senior hardware engineering representative in portfolio, business-area, and executive-level reviews.

Desired Qualifications

Experience in UAS, missiles, loitering munitions, or complex electromechanical systems.
Familiarity with SolidWorks, Altium, model-based systems engineering (MBSE) environments such as Cameo, earned value management (EVM), and AS6500-aligned program execution.
Experience collaborating with vertically integrated manufacturing operations.

At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in precision weapons and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Our team of engineers and innovators are developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions to deliver affordable and scalable precision weapons, interceptors, and UAS.

We're building the next generation of munitions and unmanned systems for the United States and its allies. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on defense technology, you belong here.

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.

You will be accountable for building the people, processes, and architectures that enable Zone 5 to design, integrate, and produce hardware that is safe, reliable, manufacturable, and rapidly deployable.

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.

Support proposal development by shaping hardware architectures, estimating labor, and defining execution approaches.

Serve as the senior hardware engineering representative in portfolio, business area, and executive-level reviews.

Qualifications

Basic expectations for this role include 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.

Our ideal candidate has:

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.

#LI-BC1

Pay range for this role

$220,000—$280,000 USD

What's in it for you:

Benefits:

Competitive total compensation package
Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
401k with company-match
3 weeks of paid time off each year
40 hours of sick time
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.

If you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team!

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.

Pay range for this role 220000 - 280000 USD

About the Company

Zone 5 Technologies

Aerospace engineering and high-volume munitions production

Zone 5 designs and builds unmanned aircraft systems and low-cost missiles for defense, serving as a prime DoD contractor with vertical integration from concept to production. Its products, like the Rusty Dagger cruise missile, Paladin UAS for autonomous counter-drone missions, and White Spike for counter-UAS and precision strikes, are engineered for high-volume, low-cost production with modular avionics for fast fielding. It differentiates itself by a production-first approach that aims to cut unit costs and shorten development timelines, delivering a flight-ready system within about four months, and by controlling design and manufacturing in-house as a vertically integrated contractor; in 2026 it became a mostly-owned subsidiary of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. Its goal is to provide affordable, scalable munition and counter-UAS solutions for the DoD and allied forces.

Company size: 201-500
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: San Luis Obispo, CA
Founded: 2011

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