BAE Systems

Dir I- Eng HW

BAE Systems • $130K — $155K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of hardware engineering experience (mechanical, electrical, or EO/IR)
  • Proven leadership of multidisciplinary hardware teams (minimum 3 years)
  • Hands-on experience with EO/IR hardware development including sensors and optics
  • Full-life-cycle product experience from concept through production
  • Familiarity with defense acquisition processes (e.g., Mil-Std-810, DO-254)
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
  • U.S. security clearance (Active or Eligibility)

Responsibilities

  • Lead, develop, and inspire a multidisciplinary hardware team
  • Scale hardware engineering workforce through targeted hiring
  • Contribute technical expertise to programs from concept to production
  • Recruit, retain, and develop top talent in EO/IR hardware
  • Allocate resources to balance workload and expertise
  • Set measurable objectives and track performance regularly
  • Communicate company strategy and standards into actionable team guidance

Benefits

  • Hybrid onsite environment enabling rapid collaboration
  • Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses
  • Flexible work schedule with every other Friday off
  • Robust benefits package including health, 401(k) match, and wellness program
  • Career-development pathways with access to training and leadership opportunities
Full Job Description
Job Description

What's the Role
As a Hardware Section Lead for ISS, you will:
  • Lead, develop and inspire a multidisciplinary hardware team consisting of mechanical & electrical engineers
  • Scale our hardware engineering workforce to meet business needs through targeted hiring and staffing of our product portfolios
  • Technically contribute to programs applying your EO/IR and functional hardware expertise to critical programs, from concept capture through production.
In your role, you will have opportunity to influence both strategy and execution, ensuring that the hardware we design is built, tested and fielded to the exacting standards required for survivability in contested environments.

What You'll Do
ResponsibilityWhat It MeansRecruit, retain & develop talentGrow a world-class team of EO/IR hardware engineers, optomechanical designers and integration specialists; create career pathways aligned with ISS's mission.Allocate resourcesMatch engineers to programs, IRAD projects, and technical teams balancing workload and expertise. Ensure right-person/right-job staffing is achieved.Set goals & track performanceEstablish measurable objectives and conduct regular performance reviews.Communicate flow-down informationTranslate company-wide strategy, customer requirements and ISS-specific standards into actionable guidance for the team.Mentor & coachProvide technical and career mentorship to develop the skills of our people and help them reach desired goals and potentialsUphold BAE Systems culture & policiesModel BAE Systems core values - integrity, collaboration, innovation, and customer focus - in every interactionImplement the Hardware Development ProcessEnsure adherence to our hardware process solidifying the quality of our products we deliverCapture new businessSupport the capture of new programs by translating customer needs into compelling hardware solutions, develop winning cost estimates and establish risk assessments to ensure executabilitPerform technical and project reviewsChair and participate in internal design reviews for our programs applying your hardware design experience to ensure our products remain world class and programs are executable
What We Offer
  • Hybrid onsite environment - Full-time work at our ISS facilities (location: New Hampshire) to enable rapid, in-person collaboration on hardware prototypes and test rigs.
  • Competitive salary & performance-based bonuses - Aligned with market and individual contribution.
  • Flexible work schedule - Every other Friday off, core-hours flexibility, and generous PTO.
  • Robust benefits package - Medical/vision/dental, 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees, and a comprehensive wellness program.
  • Career-development pathways - Access to technical learning, cross-domain training, and leadership development opportunities.


Join ISS - Protect Those Who Protect Us
If you are passionate about turning cutting-edge EO/IR science into survivable hardware that empowers warfighters across every domain, we want you on our team. Bring your vision, technical depth, and leadership talent to BAE Systems ISS and help shape the future of survivability solutions.

Apply today - your next challenge awaits!

Required Skills and Education

What You BringRequirementWhy It Matters8+ years of hardware engineering experience (mechanical, electrical, or EO/IR)Deep technical grounding required for high-performance EO/IR systems.Proven leadership of multidisciplinary hardware teams (minimum 3 years)Ability to mentor engineers and manage resources across multiple domains.Hands-on experience with EO/IR hardware development - sensors, optics, thermal management, power management, ruggedization, environmental testingDirect relevance to ISS's product suite.Full-life-cycle product experience - from concept through low-rate production and fieldingEnsures smooth transition from lab to warfighter.Familiarity with defense acquisition processes (military & commercial standards, Mil-Std-810, DO-254/DO-178, etc.)Critical for compliance and successful program delivery.Excellent communication & stakeholder management - ability to present to senior leadership, customers, and cross-functional teamsDrives alignment and clear decision-making.U.S. security clearance (Active or Eligibility)Required for classified EO/IR program work.Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related field (Master's preferred)Technical foundation for complex EO/IR hardware.

Preferred Skills and Education

  • M.S. in Engineering
  • Active DoD Secret Security Clearance

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems plc is a British multinational arms, security, and aerospace company. It is among the world's largest defense contractors, with over 85,000 employees and operations in over 40 countries. BAE Systems is involved in the design, development, and manufacture of a wide range of products and services, including military aircraft, naval ships, and land vehicles. The company also provides a range of cybersecurity and intelligence services. BAE Systems has a long history, dating back to the 19th century, and has been involved in many major defense projects. Visit baesystems.com for more information.
Learn more about BAE Systems
Size
90,500 employees
Industry
Founded
1997
NASDAQ

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