Systems Engineer, Hardware Programs - Take Advanced RF Hardware from Prototype to ProductionTampa, FL | On-site
Opportunity SummaryJoin an early-stage defense technology company developing advanced RF sensing and wireless systems for demanding operational environments. The team designs hardware and software from the ground up and is now moving a new wideband sensing platform from a working prototype toward a production-intent system. You will own that transition. This is a hands-on technical leadership role for an engineer who understands complex electronic hardware but also knows how to drive schedules, suppliers, cost, requirements, and execution. You will build the 90-day hardware plan, identify risks early, make practical scope decisions, and establish many of the processes that will support future production.
Job Duties- Own the program taking a complex RF sensing system from functional prototype to production-intent hardware
- Build and manage an aggressive hardware development schedule with weekly milestones, decision gates, dependencies, and measurable deliverables
- Maintain a live technical and program risk register and drive mitigation before issues affect the critical path
- Translate customer and system requirements into verification plans, test results, and clear requirements-to-test traceability
- Review system architectures, block diagrams, design decisions, and integration plans closely enough to challenge technical assumptions and make informed tradeoffs
- Drive scope decisions when required to protect schedule, cost, or system performance
- Own the bill of materials, including component availability, lead times, alternates, lifecycle risk, and second sourcing
- Manage long-lead components including RFSoCs, high-speed data converters, RF components, processors, and other constrained electronics
- Lead RFQs, vendor evaluation, and supplier selection for PCB fabrication, PCB assembly, enclosures, machining, and other external manufacturing
- Manage contract manufacturers and suppliers through prototype, engineering, and pilot builds
- Establish clear separation between non-recurring engineering costs and recurring per-unit production costs
- Drive cost-down efforts as designs mature and expected production volume increases
- Lead DFM and DFT reviews with engineering and manufacturing partners
- Build configuration management, engineering change, BOM control, and hardware release processes where processes do not yet exist
- Coordinate integration of existing internally developed RF and electronic subsystems
- Support regulatory and compliance work including FCC equipment authorization, export classification, and cybersecurity requirements
- Serve as a technical point of contact for pilot customers, including site surveys, deployment planning, integration, and installation
- Document deferred scope and create a clear follow-on roadmap for features or capabilities removed from the initial production build
Qualifications- 7+ years of experience developing complex electronic hardware
- 3+ years leading hardware programs through new product introduction, pilot production, or equivalent product maturation
- Engineering background in electrical engineering, systems engineering, RF engineering, or a closely related discipline
- Previous hands-on experience designing, integrating, troubleshooting, or testing hardware before moving into technical leadership
- Experience delivering at least one hardware product from concept or early prototype through customer testing on an accelerated development schedule
- Strong understanding of complex electronic systems and the ability to work effectively across RF, electrical, mechanical, firmware, and software teams
- Direct experience managing contract manufacturers, PCB fabrication and assembly vendors, and mechanical suppliers
- Experience managing electronic component sourcing and supply-chain risk through shortages or long lead times
- Strong working knowledge of BOM management, configuration control, engineering change processes, and hardware release practices
- Ability to distinguish development cost, tooling, and other one-time engineering expenses from recurring production cost
- Experience driving DFM and DFT activities as hardware transitions toward production
- Ability to make practical engineering tradeoffs and reduce scope without losing sight of the core customer requirement
- Comfortable operating in an early-stage environment where processes need to be created rather than followed
Preferred Experience- Experience with software-defined radios, electronic warfare, SIGINT, RF sensing, wireless communications, or RF test and measurement systems
- Familiarity with RFSoCs, high-speed ADCs, RF front ends, or similarly complex mixed-signal electronics
- Experience scaling hardware from internal assembly into external contract manufacturing
- Experience establishing supplier qualification, cost tracking, or NPI processes at an early-stage hardware company
- Familiarity with FCC equipment authorization and related RF regulatory requirements
- Experience with EAR export classification
- Familiarity with CMMC, NIST SP 800-171, or controlled government environments
- Experience supporting pilot deployments with defense, public-sector, corrections, critical infrastructure, or institutional customers
- Military experience in electronic warfare, signals, cyber, or Special Operations environments
- Experience working with government security requirements or facility-clearance processes
- PMP, INCOSE certification, or equivalent systems or program management training
Compensation Details$100,000 - $130,000
