PURPOSE: We are seeking an experienced Director of Hardware Development to lead our hardware engineering organization, driving the design, development, and delivery of Econolite's edge products, such as traffic controllers, detection (Vision, Radar, Lidar) and intersection monitoring solutions. This also includes close collaboration with our firmware and cloud software teams for a complete IoT ecosystems approach. This role reports directly to the CTO and will manage team leaders as well as individual contributors. These teams include a hardware development team, systems engineering as well as project management. Areas of primary focus for these teams include development of new edge computing products, deployment of new products into the production environment, and managing EOL decisions and/or redesigns for the suite of Econolite's existent products.
The successful candidate shall provide technical leadership to the hardware and systems teams, with emphasis on the common edge technologies deployed. Prerequisite experience or domain knowledge specific to the traffic control industry is preferred but not required. Experience in IoT ecosystems, connected devices and connected device transformations is a strong plus. The successful candidate shall contribute to Econolite's strategic product direction as well as carry representation within industry committees pertinent to Econolite's hardware products. This position requires a close interface between development teams, manufacturing teams, supply chain teams, strategic partnerships as well as product management. These relationships require great flexibility, collaboration and ownership and shared distribution of the following defined duties.
DUTIES:- Own the technical strategy and roadmap for hardware development across current and next-generation product lines
- Lead hardware platform evolution, including component obsolence management, cost optimization, redesigns, and transitions to next-generation embedded computing architectures.
- Lead, mentor, and grow a team of hardware- and system engineers, providing technical guidance and career development
- Drive architecture decisions for compute and IoT platforms, including advanced SoC/SOM selection and integration (e.g., NVIDIA or comparable GPU/embedded platforms)
- Oversee design of sensor interfaces (camera, radar, LiDAR), IoT connectivity, and power circuitry
- Manage relationships with contract manufacturers (CMs) and design houses, both onshore and offshore, including sourcing, quality oversight, and cost management
- Champion and implement agile methodologies adapted for hardware and systems engineering, balancing iterative development with hardware's longer validation cycles
- Partner cross-functionally with software, systems engineering, product management, and operations teams to ensure hardware milestones align with overall product delivery
- Manage hardware development budgets, timelines, and risk mitigation plans
- Represent hardware engineering in executive-level planning and stakeholder reviews
- Drive continuous improvement in design processes, test methodologies, and DFM/DFT practices
- Establish and own hardware validation and reliability practices, including environmental testing design verification, and root-cause analysis of field failures.
- Promote hardware design that balances functionality, reliability, usability and modern industrial design, while maintaining Econolite's product identity.
MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:- 10+ years of hardware development experience, in embedded systems, industrial electronics, transportation, automotive or other complex connected products.
- 5+ years of experience leading and managing hardware engineering teams
- Strong understanding of embedded compute architectures, including advanced chip and System-on-Module (SOM) design (experience with NVIDIA or similar GPU-based platforms strongly preferred)
- Experience with power circuitry design (power management, distribution, and regulation for embedded traffic/industrial/automotive -grade systems)
- Experience integrating IoT connectivity and sensing hardware, such as camera, radar, and/or LiDAR systems
- Demonstrated experience managing in-house and outsourced hardware development, including onshore and offshore contract manufacturers (CMs) and design houses
- Solid knowledge of formal hardware development processes and standards (e.g., NTCIP, NEMA, ATC, ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 26262, or equivalent, depending on domain)
- Practical experience applying agile methodologies to hardware and systems design workflows
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred)
- A change-focused mindset driving continuous improvement in teams, processes and products
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical detail for executive and cross-functional audiences
Expected:- 10+ years experience managing hardware designs into a production environment.
- Experience with microprocessor-based hardware design and development.
- Experience with low-level firmware design and development.
- Experience with embedded designs utilizing RTOS.
- Experience supporting the sustaining requirements of a hardware production environment.
- Experience working within contract manufacturing and supply chain partnerships.
- Ability to write technical specifications with clarity and accuracy.
Beneficial: - Experience developing/managing the development of hardware that will be used in commercial/industrial applications, including harsh environmental conditions and/or critical safety applications.
- Familiarity with technologies common to Econolite's product development. This includes: Freescale MPC83XX architectures, Linux, VxWorks, or OS-9 Real Time Operating Systems, Mentor Graphics hardware development packages, SVN-based firmware development packages.
- Experience managing development of embedded applications, written in modern programming languages such as C++.
- Experience managing BSP and device driver development.
- Graduate level degree in EE or other related technologies.
BUSINESS TRAVELAbility to travel as requested.
COMPENSATIONThe base pay range for this full-time exempt position is $170,000-$185,000 per year plus benefits. Pay ranges are determined by various factors, including role, experience, and location. The pay range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire base pay rates for this position. Within the range, actual individual compensation is determined by various factors, including location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
BENEFITSThis role is eligible for benefits: weekly pay, weekly PTO accrual, paid holidays. Various medical plans, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, direct deposit. Basic life, LTD, 401k discretionary match. Other voluntary benefits include: identity theft protection. Eligibility to participate in the company's incentive plan, subject to plan terms
DISCLAIMERThe above statements are intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
