Hardware Engineer

Blue Signal Search; Aberdeen (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base compensation

Equity participation

Company paid medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) match

Generous paid time off and holidays

Collaborative onsite environment

Job summary

Blue Signal Search is seeking a Hardware Engineer in Aberdeen, North Carolina. In this role, you will lead the design of rugged hardware subsystems for autonomous airborne platforms and participate in a collaborative engineering team.

The position requires hands-on experience in hardware design, CAD proficiency, and the ability to work across mechanical and electrical domains. Competitive compensation, equity participation, and a strong benefits package are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience in hardware engineering for aerospace, robotics, or defense products is valuable.
• Several years of relevant hardware engineering experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to pass background screening and obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of rugged hardware subsystems for autonomous platforms.
• Build and validate prototype assemblies in a lab environment.
• Partner with production teams to troubleshoot issues and improve system performance.
• Create and maintain CAD models and release documentation.

Skills

Designing hardware for aerospace

Electrical fundamentals knowledge

CAD tools proficiency

Fabrication and assembly experience

Troubleshooting ability

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Job description

Our client is building advanced autonomous systems for demanding real world applications, and they are looking for a hands on Hardware Engineer who wants to help turn ideas into reliable field ready products. This is an opportunity to join a small, highly collaborative engineering team where you can influence design decisions early, work across disciplines, and see your work move from concept to prototype to deployment. For engineers who enjoy ownership, fast iteration, and meaningful technical challenges, this role offers the chance to make a visible impact.

This Role Offers

• Competitive base compensation with flexibility for standout talent
• Meaningful equity participation as part of the total rewards package
• Company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) match
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• A highly collaborative onsite environment with direct access to engineering leadership
• The chance to help shape products, processes, and team culture during an active growth phase

Focus

• Lead the design and integration of rugged hardware subsystems for autonomous airborne platforms, from early concept through field deployment
• Build, modify, and validate prototype assemblies, harnesses, and mechanical packages in a fast moving lab environment
• Own component selection, trade studies, and bill of material decisions with an eye toward manufacturability, reliability, and cost
• Partner with software, test, and production teams to troubleshoot issues, close design gaps, and improve system performance
• Create and maintain CAD models, drawings, test records, and release documentation that support both prototyping and scaled production
• Use lab tools such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analyzers to isolate failures and drive corrective action
• Support environmental, bench, and field testing, then translate findings into practical design improvements
• Work across mechanical and electrical boundaries, including power distribution, packaging, thermal considerations, and sensor integration

Skill Set

• Experience designing, building, or integrating hardware for aerospace, robotics, autonomous systems, defense, or other high reliability products
• Strong working knowledge of electrical fundamentals, embedded hardware interfaces, and electromechanical integration
• Proficiency with CAD tools and confidence creating clear engineering documentation
• Hands on fabrication and assembly experience, including soldering, wiring, rework, and prototype bring up
• Practical troubleshooting ability in a laboratory or test environment
• Comfort operating in an onsite setting where speed, ownership, and cross functional teamwork matter
• Ability to move between design work and hands on execution without losing attention to detail

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field preferred
• Equivalent practical experience will also be considered
• Several years of relevant hardware engineering experience in a fast paced technical environment
• Experience in autonomous systems or unmanned platforms is strongly valued, though exceptional engineers from adjacent industries are encouraged to apply
• Must be able to pass applicable background screening and be eligible to obtain a future security clearance