Hardware Design Engineer (HDE) – Skill Level 3

Kaizen Approach, Inc.; Maryland; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks PTO

11 holidays

401k plan

Profit sharing

Paid training

Premium healthcare

Job summary

Kaizen Approach, Inc. is actively seeking a Hardware Design Engineer to design and test integrated circuits and hardware components for signal processing applications and government research efforts.

The role involves designing, documenting, and developing firmware for DSPs, ASICs, and FPGAs; analyzing existing hardware for reverse engineering; and modifying hardware to meet government requirements. Strong leadership and collaboration with engineers are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 17 years hardware design experience.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• 12 years in hardware design or reverse engineering.
• Ability to lead design teams and coordinate with engineers.
• Experience with ASIC/FPGA place-and-route.

Responsibilities

• Design and test integrated circuits and hardware components.
• Develop firmware for DSPs and programmable devices (ASICs/FPGA).
• Document code and design processes for validation.
• Analyze existing ICs to support reverse engineering.
• Modify vendor hardware to meet government requirements.

Skills

ASIC design

FPGA design

Design leadership

Reverse engineering

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical/Computer Engineering

17 years hardware design experience in lieu of degree

Tools

P&R tools

EDA tools

Job description

Kaizen Approach is currently seeking a Hardware Design Engineer to design and test new integrated circuits and hardware components supporting a wide variety of signal processing applications and research efforts. In this role, you’ll design, document, and develop code, including firmware, for digital signal processors and other programmable hardware devices such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). You’ll analyze the functionality of existing integrated circuits and hardware components to support reverse engineering of both hardware and associated firmware. This position involves performing hardware engineering and related functions to modify and adapt vendor-manufactured hardware to meet specialized Government requirements and contingency needs.

Requirements

• Must have the ability to assist with, design, and lead the design of new products and processes, as well as improve and maintain existing products throughout their lifecycle.
• Must possess the ability to conduct design analysis on components and assemblies to support development efforts by ensuring designs are cost efficient, manufacturable, and reliable.
• Must be capable of communicating and coordinating with other engineering personnel to manage interrelated design efforts, assure project completion, direct and check the work of other hardware design engineers, and provide technical leadership to less experienced engineers.
• Must have the ability to apply ASIC or FPGA place and route (P&R) tools with various libraries to create physical implementations of designs and support hardware realization.
• Must possess the ability to develop, maintain, and document place and route (P&R) design flows, including integrating new P&R tools, tool updates, and ASIC or FPGA design libraries into the Government’s computer-aided design environment, and assisting other physical designers with their P&R design tasks.
• Must be capable of working with tool and library vendors to develop solutions for designers’ place and route (P&R) design challenges and acting as an internal consultant providing technical guidance on the most complex projects.
• Must have the ability to assist with, perform, oversee, and improve the de-processing of electronic components; retrieve stored firmware or software using approved reverse engineering procedures; and develop novel reverse engineering procedures for new component types.
• Must have twelve (12) years of experience as a Hardware Design Engineer (HDE) in integrated circuit or microelectronic component design or reverse engineering of the same.
• Must have a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering from an accredited college or university, OR seventeen (17) years of hardware design engineering experience in lieu of a degree.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph is required.

Salary Range

A variety of factors can impact the final salary offered, including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and wage rates, relevant work experience, specialized skills and competencies, education, and certifications.

About Kaizen Approach

At Kaizen Approach, we truly care about our team, offering flexibility for a balanced life, competitive compensation, and a robust benefits package that supports you and your family. We prioritize well-being with premium healthcare, financial and family support, retirement planning, and ongoing learning. With 4 weeks of PTO, 11 holidays, gifted 401k, profit sharing, and paid training, we’re committed to your growth and happiness — both at work and beyond.

Kaizen Approach is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.