Lead Hardware Systems Architect & Tech Lead

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: System of Systems Integration: Architect, model, and define hardware-level interfaces and high-speed data flow paths for multi-sensor integration (SDR, Active/Passive Radar, EO/IR Cameras, and RF Jamming payloads). Requirements Definition: Translate high-level operational and product demands into detailed, actionable hardware and system-level requirements, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and structural specifications. System Modeling: Establish and manage rigorous physical power, thermal, high-speed data bandwidth, and RF link budgets for deeply integrated tactical configurations. Technical Ownership: Direct day-to-day engineering activities, lead comprehensive design reviews, and serve as the final authority on architectural and hardware design trade-offs. Product Lifecycle Management (PLCM): Guide hardware products smoothly through the entire lifecycle—from early concept and prototyping to mass production, validation, field deployment, and subsequent obsolescence management. Cross-Functional Orchestration: Align and coordinate specialized teams across RF/Analog, high-speed digital, FPGA, embedded software, and mechanical engineering to achieve seamless hardware/software synergy. Test Strategy Definition: Architect and define the end-to-end testing, verification, and validation (V&V) strategy for complex hardware-software systems. Progressive Integration: Design and oversee methodical integration plans, successfully migrating subsystems from standalone bench testing to full "System of Systems" integration. System Verification: Oversee high-reliability Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing, RF performance verification, and automated test regression setups. Operational Validation: Partner with field testing and QA teams to design real-world tactical validation scenarios (including drone flight trials and complex RF interference environments) to ensure top performance in the field. DFx Implementation: Drive critical design decisions optimizing for manufacturability (DFM), automated testing (DFT), reliability (DFR), and target cost (DFC) without sacrificing tactical performance. Tactical Ruggedization: Ensure all physical architectures are designed to withstand harsh outdoor deployments, aligning with rigorous international and military standards (MIL-STD-810G, IP66/67, and MILSTD-461 EMI/EMC). REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS Education: B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline. M.Sc. is highly preferred. Experience: 10+ years of hardware and systems engineering experience, including a minimum of 4+ years leading complex technical projects or driving system architecture. Industry: Proven track record of shipping defense, aerospace, or advanced commercial telecom/tactical rugged systems to market. SDR & Core Hardware Foundations: Strong hands-on background in high-performance digital and RF design. Proficient in selecting, configuring, and integrating SoCs, FPGAs (e.g., AMD/Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+, RFSoC), RF transceivers, and high-speed converters. Multi-Sensor Systems: Deep practical experience integrating diverse hardware subsystems (e.g., SDR sensors, active radar systems, EO/IR cameras, tactical communication networks, and RF jamming architectures). Systems Engineering Mastery: Expert capability in technical writing, formal requirements management, writing complex ICDs, and performing SWaP-C (Size, Weight, Power, and Cost) optimizations. IV&V Methodologies: Thorough understanding of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing, environmental stress screening (ESS), and field testing protocols for complex RF products. PLCM & Design Tools: Practical experience working with modern Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools, CAD/EDA tools, and implementing structured hardware release flows. Electrical Integrity: Solid comprehension of high-efficiency Power Distribution Networks (PDN), thermal dissipation strategies, and high-speed PCB stack-up design. Assertive Project Driver: Natural capability to lead and inspire highly specialized R&D teams, resolve technical disputes objectively, and maintain high project execution velocity. Strategic Communicator: Outstanding capacity to articulate deep, complex multi-system technical challenges into structured, actionable items for engineering teams and concise strategic summaries for executive leadership.