Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Manager of Hardware Engineering

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions • $110K — $130K *
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years in complex hardware/systems development, including 5+ years in a technical leadership or management position.
  • Demonstrated expertise in airborne avionics, RF design, I/O systems, and Embedded Systems focused on UAVs or autonomous vehicles.
  • Familiarity with DoD standards, specifically MIL-STD-461 (EMI) and MIL-STD-810 (Environmental) testing protocols.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
  • Strong communication skills to effectively convey technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor a cross-functional team of engineers in a high-pressure environment.
  • Oversee the complete engineering lifecycle from research and development to design verification and validation.
  • Serve as the primary technical liaison between executive leadership, engineering teams, and DoD clients.
  • Drive the design and implementation of advanced RF datalinks, avionics, FPGAs, and embedded architectures.
  • Lead technical proposals for bids and foster continuous professional development within the engineering team.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology for unmanned airborne systems.
  • Collaboration with a skilled multi-disciplinary team fostering innovation.
  • Engagement with executive leadership and high-profile defense stakeholders.
  • Development of specialized expertise in compliance with DoD standards.
  • Professional growth through leadership in technical proposal development.
Full Job Description
The Mission As the Manager of Hardware Engineering, you will lead the cross-functional development of next-generation electronic systems for unmanned airborne platforms. You will bridge the gap between high-level strategy and technical execution, overseeing the lifecycle of autonomous vehicle electronic technologies from initial concept through to field deployment and DoD certification.

Key Responsibilities
  • Technical Leadership: Lead and mentor a multi-disciplinary team of Hardware, RF, Mechanical, and PWB engineers in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment.
  • Strategic Oversight: Manage the full engineering lifecycle (R&D, Design, V&V) for electronic systems, ensuring alignment with program milestones and budgetary constraints.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as the primary technical liaison between executive leadership, internal engineering teams, and DoD stakeholders.
  • Innovation & Architecture: Drive the architecture and implementation of complex RF datalinks, electronic avionics, FPGAs, and embedded processor architectures.
  • Growth & Capture: Lead technical bids and proposals (SOW/ROM/RFP) and foster a culture of continuous professional development for engineering staff.


Core Qualifications
  • Experience: 8+ years in complex hardware/systems development, with 5+ years in a formal technical leadership or management role.
  • Domain Expertise: Proven track record in airborne avionics, I/O systems, RF design, and Embedded Systems within the UAV or autonomous vehicle space.
  • Regulatory & Compliance: Understanding of DoD standards, including MIL-STD-461 (EMI) and MIL-STD-810 (Environmental) testing protocols.
  • Education: BS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or related technical field.
  • Communication: Exceptional ability to translate complex technical roadblocks into actionable business strategy for non-technical stakeholders.

The Tech Environment
  • Systems: Unmanned airborne platforms - avionics, datalinks, C2, and ancillary ground support equipment.
  • Electronics: Digital/Analog design, High-speed FPGA (Xilinx), and RF architectures.
  • Methodologies: Waterfall Design Methodology, formal design reviews (PDR/CDR), and modern EDA/Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools.

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT ARE INCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES

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About Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. provides mission critical products, solutions, and services in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Kratos Government Solutions, Unmanned Systems, and Public Safety & Security. The Kratos Government Solutions segment offers microwave electronic products, satellite communications, training systems, modular systems, and defense and rocket support services. The Unmanned Systems segment provides unmanned aerial, ground, and seaborne, as well as command, control, and communications systems. The Public Safety & Security segment designs, engineers, deploys, operates, integrates, maintains, and operates security and surveillance solutions for homeland security, public safety, critical infrastructure, government, and commercial customers. The company serves national security related agencies, the department of defense, intelligence agencies, and classified agencies, as well as international government agencies and domestic and international commercial customers; and critical infrastructure, power generation, power transport, nuclear energy, financial, IT, healthcare, education, transportation, and petro-chemical industries, as well as government and military customers. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Learn more about Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Size
3,300 employees
Market Cap
$1.1 billion
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Net Income
$79.6 million
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+8.4%
Revenue
$747.6 million
NASDAQ
KTOS
* Ladders Estimates

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