Director of Hardware Engineering Melbourne, FL Posted: 6/3/2025
Job Description
Job ID#:
211642
Job Category:
Management
Position Type:
Associate - W2
Duration:
DH
We have an outstanding career opportunity for a Director of Hardware Engineering to join a leading Company located in the Melbourne, FL surrounding area.
The Director of Hardware Engineering is responsible for leading our cross-functional hardware teams, including Electrical, Mechanical, and Test Engineering, as well as overseeing Document Control and Configuration Management functions. This position provides both strategic and technical leadership in support of the development and delivery of avionics systems and products for conventional aircraft and advanced air mobility platforms. In addition to organizational leadership, the role includes a hands-on component, requiring direct technical engagement in design reviews, problem-solving, and product development activities. The Director is accountable for ensuring engineering execution aligns with organizational objectives while upholding technical rigor, product quality, and compliance with applicable certification and regulatory requirements.
Responsibilities:
Engineering Leadership & Technical Vision
Provide strategic direction and technical leadership across hardware engineering disciplines: electrical, mechanical, and test.
Define and execute the product hardware roadmap in alignment with company goals and emerging market needs.
Serve as the technical authority and final escalation point for all hardware design and integration decisions.
Contribute directly to system architecture development, lead or participate in design reviews, and support the resolution of complex design and test challenges.
Champion engineering excellence, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
Team Management & Development
Lead, mentor, and grow a diverse and high-performing team of engineers and support staff.
Establish team goals, define KPIs, and drive continuous improvement efforts across all hardware functions.
Provide support to the team by directly engaging in troubleshooting complex technical issues and facilitating the resolution of development roadblocks.
Promote cross-training and knowledge sharing across disciplines to strengthen the organization's agility and resilience.
Product Development & Lifecycle Management
Oversee the full hardware development lifecycle-from concept through prototyping, design validation, flight testing, certification, and production release.
Collaborate with Systems, Software, and Program Management teams to ensure seamless integration and execution.
Coordinate with Quality and Regulatory teams to meet all applicable compliance and safety standards.
Lead cross-functional design reviews and ensure rigorous documentation and traceability practices.
Provide direct input and technical guidance on key hardware designs and test plans, particularly in early-stage development and integration.
Document Control & Configuration Management
Provide oversight and governance of all engineering documentation processes.
Ensure effective configuration management and revision control procedures are in place and followed.
Work closely with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure hardware designs are producible, maintainable, and cost-effective.
Review and approve critical documentation packages and change requests with technical rigor.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Sales, Marketing, Customer Support, and Flight Ops to understand user needs and drive customer-centric design decisions.
Represent hardware engineering in executive-level product planning discussions and business development efforts.
Engage directly with customers and partners to address technical concerns and gather input to inform product improvements.
Serve as a voice of engineering with key customers, regulatory authorities, and industry partners.
Basic Hiring Criteria:
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related engineering field.
Minimum 10 years of progressive engineering experience, with at least 5 years in a technical leadership role.
Desired Qualifications:
Deep passion for aviation and advancing the state of airborne systems.
Comprehensive understanding of hardware development processes, including schematic design, PCB layout, thermal and mechanical considerations, environmental qualification, and system integration.
Proficiency in guiding multidisciplinary hardware design efforts, with the ability to evaluate trade-offs in electrical, mechanical, and test engineering decisions to ensure product reliability, performance, and manufacturability.
General knowledge of certification standards and regulatory requirements applicable to avionics hardware, including DO-160, DO-254, and RTCA/FAA design assurance levels.
Demonstrated ability and desire to inspire and lead multi-disciplinary teams toward common goals.
Willingness to work at both strategic and tactical levels, including hands-on design & problem-solving when needed.
Proven experience leading hardware teams through successful certification and production releases.
Hands-on familiarity with system-level testing, design validation, and environmental/EMI testing.
Prior experience working with FAA regulatory frameworks including TSO, STC, TC, and DO-160.
Familiarity with PLM systems, configuration control processes, and design documentation standards.
Master's degree in engineering or business.
Experience in general aviation, business aviation, or defense/aerospace sectors.
Pilot's license or operational understanding of cockpit environments and pilot workflows.
Expertise in avionics systems, human-machine interface (HMI), or flight deck integration.
The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:
The California Fair Chance Act
Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers