Director of Hardware

The role

You will lead the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering functions for hardware across Zone 5 programs. You will develop and mentor engineering managers and teams, set the hardware roadmap, and ensure hardware design, integration and reviews meet schedule and technical requirements.

What you will do

• Lead, mentor and develop Mechanical and Electrical Engineering managers and their teams.
• Set the strategic vision and roadmap for hardware capabilities, tools and processes.
• Ensure hardware engineering delivers architectures, detailed designs and integration support on schedule.
• Partner with Programs and IPTs to allocate resources and resolve cross-functional issues.
• Establish engineering standards for hardware design, review, documentation, verification and configuration control.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace standards such as AS9100, AS6500, DO-160 and MIL-STD-461/704.
• Oversee major design reviews: PDR, CDR and TRR.
• Identify and execute capability investments in equipment, software and training.
• Guide root-cause investigations and systemic corrective actions.
• Support proposal development and serve as senior hardware representative in executive reviews.

Required qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering or a 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.

Nice to have

• 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.

Benefits

• Competitive total compensation package
• Medical, dental, vision, life and more benefit package options
• 401k with company match
• 3 weeks of paid time off each year
• 40 hours of sick time
• 12 annual company holidays
• Innovative environment working on cutting-edge defense and aerospace technology
• Collaborative culture
• Career growth and professional development opportunities

Before you apply

• All hires must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the employment eligibility verification form.
• The employer is a federal contractor and uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.

About the company

Zone 5 Technologies develops precision weapons, interceptors and unmanned aircraft systems for the United States and its allies. The company focuses on autonomous solutions that are affordable and scalable.