Lead Hardware Engineer

Lead Hardware Engineer - Onsite Position

Curtiss-Wright is growing and has multiple openings for experienced Lead Hardware Engineer to join our Defense Solutions Group.

This 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. The ideal candidate brings extensive expertise in electronic components, integrated circuitry, mechanical systems, and DSP systems, with a proven ability to provide technical leadership and deliver complex hardware solutions through design, testing, qualification, and production phases.

Location: Ashburn, VA

Salary Range: $108,900 - $150,000 per year plus bonus

Please note that the salary range information provided is a general guideline only, reflecting a position based in Virginia. Criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, the scope of the specific position, as well as market and business considerations will be evaluated when extending an offer.

We Take Care of Our People

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

Your Challenge

• 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.

What you Bring

• 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).

• US Citizenship required; active DoD security clearance preferred 

Who We Are

Our Values

Environmental, Social and Governance

Curtiss-Wright's Defense Solution division is a trusted, proven leader, delivering superior products and services that meet the defense and aerospace industries' toughest challenges with best-in-class value. Our 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. As a leading Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) solutions supplier for battlefield platforms and communication systems, we are uniquely positioned to benefit from the DoD's commitment to maintaining technological superiority on the battlefield.

To learn more visit: Home | Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions (curtisswrightds.com)

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No unsolicited agency submittals please.  Agency partners must be invited to participate in a search by our Talent Acquisition Team and have signed terms in place prior to any submittal.  Resumes submitted directly to any Curtiss-Wright employee or affiliate will not qualify for fee payment, and therefore become the property of Curtiss-Wright.  

Compliance Statement

This position may require exposure to export-controlled information and subject to additional security screening.  In the event information provided during the security screening reveals ineligibility to access export-controlled information, any offer of employment may be reconsidered or withdrawn. 

Curtiss-Wright is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, religion, veteran status, national origin, or any other legally protected status. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition.

For US Applicants: EEO is The Law – click here for more information.

If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact Talent Acquisition and we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.