Hardware Engineer

Forterra; Clarksburg (MD); On-site; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

PTO 20 days

Parental leave 7 weeks

Tuition reimbursement $9k

401(k) match

Job summary

Forterra is seeking a Hardware Engineer to lead hardware integration for defense autonomy programs. You will own hardware architecture across mechanical, electrical, and test disciplines and supervise payload integration from development prototypes to production.

This hands-on role requires system-level thinking, direct problem solving, and close collaboration with government customers and internal partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in systems integration, robotics, or autonomous vehicles.
• Demonstrated leadership of engineering teams in high-stakes environments.
• Background in payload integration, EO and RF components, or closely related fields.
• Ability to obtain a Secret clearance.
• Up to 25% travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the hardware development lifecycle for integrated vehicle systems.
• Define, manage, and own the system architecture for hardware programs.
• Define, manage, and own the physical interfaces for payload integration.
• Lead technical execution across electrical, mechanical, systems, and integration teams.
• Create and manage engineering artifacts: requirements, interface control documents, safety analyses.
• Interface with government customers and internal partners to ensure successful delivery.

Skills

Systems integration

Robotics

Autonomous vehicles

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

About Forterra

At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.

Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

About the role

The Emerging Technologies team at Forterra develops mission specific, autonomous ground vehicle platforms spanning both the military and commercial vehicle applications. Our systems must be field ready, reliable, and compliant with safety, cybersecurity, and mission assurance standards. We work closely with government and commercial stakeholders to deliver high-performance ground autonomy solutions for complex, real-world environments.

We are seeking a Hardware Engineer to direct hardware integration for complex defense autonomy programs within Emerging Technologies serving as the technical owner, Architect, and engineering lead. As a Hardware Engineer you will be responsible for the detailed technical execution, hardware architecture, and engineering execution across all hardware disciplines (mechanical, electrical, and test). You will lead the physical integration of 1st and 3rd party payloads for developmental prototypes and ultimately scale to production. You will also drive hardware product improvements to Core Product for the hardware aspects of base vehicle platforms, edge compute, and sensors.

This hands‑on leadership role carries accountability for technical outcomes from concept through integration and delivery. The Hardware Engineer will interface directly with government customers, partner with Chief Engineers and Integration Managers, manage internal engineering execution, collaborate with internal partners (Operations, Hardware, Core Product, etc.), and support delivery of a fully integrated, mission-capable system. This position is not a coordination role — it requires technical judgment, system level and lifecycle thinking, direct problem-solving, hands‑on leadership, and decision making under pressure.

What you’ll do

Program Technical Leadership

• Coordinate the hardware development lifecycle for integrated vehicle systems, ensuring robust, reliable autonomy and seamless subsystem interaction, and robust payload integration
• Define, manage, and own the logical, physical, and electrical system architecture for programs in the hardware domain
• Define, manage, and own the physical interface(s) for payload integration
• Lead technical execution across multiple engineering disciplines (electrical, mechanical, systems, and systems integration)
• Manage and mitigate technical and programmatic risks through proactive design
• Ensure alignment with overall program milestones and delivery dates
• Collaborate with defense customers, partners, and vendors to align on technical solutions and delivery milestones
• Partner closely with the Chief Engineer and work directly with the Integration Manager Systems Engineering Integration

Cross-Functional Influence

• Operate with full accountability for hardware, even in the absence of direct authority or guidance
• Prioritize tasks and resources to maximize team hardware team output in a fluid and dynamic environment
• Represent the program at technical reviews, demonstrations, and key stakeholder engagements

Artifact & Compliance Management

• Create and / or manage all required engineering artifacts: hardware system requirements, interface control documents, safety analyses, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field required. Relevant disciplines include: Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Software, Mechatronics, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or similar
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in systems integration, robotics, or autonomous vehicles
• Demonstrated leadership of engineering teams in high-stakes environments
• Background in payload integration, electro-optical and radio frequency components, or closely related fields
• Ability to obtain a Secret clearance
• Up to 25% travel may be required

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D.) in engineering
• 7+ years of experience in hardware engineering, system integration, robotics, or autonomous vehicles
• Experience working on robotics and autonomous systems for Department of War applications
• Experience in DoD acquisition programs or direct collaboration with military end-users
• Experience with payload integration on ground vehicles
• Experience with radar, electronic warfare, and /or remote weapon system integration onto ground combat vehicles
• Experience with test procedures and requirements for MIL-STD-810H, ATPD-2404, ATPD-2407, ATPD-2099 or similar documents

US Salary Range

$145,000 — $165,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here.

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra’s candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice.