Senior Hardware Design Engineer-Space

Korn Ferry

$120K — $145K *
Tempe, AZ 85281In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in hardware design with emphasis on digital systems and FPGA.
  • Strong leadership skills managing cross-functional teams across hardware and software domains.
  • Proficient with laboratory equipment including logic analyzers and oscilloscopes.
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field is required.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen due to government-related duties.
  • Willingness to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and integration of hardware and programmable logic systems.
  • Serve as the primary technical interface for subcontractor hardware and deliverables.
  • Drive decisions on system-level architecture and HW/SW interfacing.
  • Coordinate development efforts across FPGA, DSP, and embedded software.
  • Define verification strategies for hardware and software integration.
  • Participate in proposal development and customer engagements giving technical insight.
  • Deliver technical briefings during design and milestone review meetings.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical and financial benefits package provided.
  • Possibility for stock incentives as part of the compensation.
  • Opportunities for professional development and mentoring roles.
  • Involvement in cutting-edge space and mission-critical projects.
Full Job Description
Senior Hardware Design Engineer-Space

Requisition ID

5560

Country

United States of America

City

Tempe

Market

Internet Services

Job description

What you'll do

As a Senior Hardware Design Engineer, you bring deep expertise in digital processing systems, programmable logic (FPGA), and embedded software integration. You are motivated by solving complex architectural challenges and leading technically demanding efforts in space-based and mission-critical communication systems.

You will serve as the lead engineer, owning the end-to-end coordination of hardware, programmable logic, and software integration while acting as the primary technical interface to external payload hardware subcontractors. In this role, you will help to shape digital architectures and guide development from early concept through integration, verification, and delivery.

The day-to-day

You will be responsible for leading and directly contributing to the technical execution of complex digital designs. In this role, you will:
  • Lead hardware, programmable logic, and embedded software technical efforts across internal teams and external subcontractors
  • Serve as the responsible engineer and technical focal point for subcontracted hardware, reviewing and challenging designs, analyses, and deliverables
  • Drive system-level architectural decisions involving digital signal processing, FPGA partitioning, and HW/SW interfaces
  • Coordinate programmable logic (FPGA), DSP, and embedded software development to ensure robust integration and performance
  • Define and manage hardware, PL, and software interfaces and verification strategies
  • Support proposal development, BOEs, and technical customer engagements related to digital payload architectures
  • Deliver high-quality technical briefings at design reviews (PDR, CDR) and internal milestone reviews
  • Support payload integration and test activities by ensuring testability, diagnostics, and integration readiness
  • Advocate for sound engineering practices, disciplined design methodologies, and risk reduction
  • Mentor and technically guide junior and mid-level engineers across hardware and firmware disciplines

What you'll need
  • Experience leading complex digital hardware designs involving programmable logic (FPGA) and embedded systems
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams spanning hardware, FPGA, DSP, and software
  • Proficiency using lab equipment such as logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, DMMs, and power supplies
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
  • S. citizenship required (U.S. government position)
  • Ability to travel up to 10%
What will help you on the job
  • Experience designing space-grade or high-reliability (Hi-Rel) digital hardware and payload systems
  • 15+ years of experience in digital module design, programmable logic, DSP, and embedded systems Hands-on experience with Xilinx and Microchip (Actel) RTAX / RTSX / ProASIC FPGA families
  • Experience with channelizers, digital communication payloads, or signal processing architectures
  • Experience integrating subcontracted hardware into larger system architectures
  • Proficiency with FPGA and simulation toolchains (Xilinx / Microchip tools, Synplify, ModelSim, etc.)
  • Strong troubleshooting, debug, and root-cause analysis skills across HW/SW boundaries
  • Master's degree in Electrical Engineering (MSEE)
  • Ability to obtain Active Secret Clearance or higher
Salary range

We consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered.

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