Hardware Integration Specialist

MITRE; Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE seeks a hands-on Engineering Assistant / Hardware Integration Specialist to support the design, integration, modification, testing, and sustainment of prototype electronic systems. This role bridges lab operations, hardware fabrication, electronics troubleshooting, RF test support, logistics, and field experiments.

The candidate will bring experience in electronics hardware integration, rapid prototyping, circuit analysis, soldering, and precision test measurement while partnering with

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in engineering technology, electronics, or related field; equivalent practical experience may be considered.
• Experience with electronics hardware integration and bench-level troubleshooting.
• Experience supporting prototype development, equipment testing, or lab/fabrication operations.
• Working knowledge of soldering, circuit analysis, RF theory, test and measurement equipment, RF test support, and system integration.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, integration, modification, testing, and sustainment of prototype and operational electronic systems.
• Bridge lab operations, hardware fabrication, electronics troubleshooting, RF test support, logistics, and field experimentation.
• Analyze prototype designs for viability and manufacturability.
• Assemble electro-mechanical prototype hardware and perform adjustments with limited documentation.
• Conduct equipment testing, integration, and RF test support for developmental systems.
• Troubleshoot design issues and implementation constraints to ensure robust prototypes.
• Assist with rapid prototyping across electronics, packaging, and hardware system support.
• Provide lab support, calibration, and test environment readiness.
• Coordinate logistics including equipment tracking, lab inventory, and purchasing.
• Prepare systems for field experiments and sponsor engagements.
• Document hardware configurations, test procedures, and sustainment recommendations.
• Provide technical guidance for junior staff and travel up to 20%.

Skills

Electronics integration

Troubleshooting

Rapid prototyping

RF testing

Soldering

System integration

Documentation

Education

Associate’s degree in engineering technology or electronics

Tools

Logic analyzer

Spectrum analyzer

Oscilloscope

Waveform generator

Network analyzer

EMI meter

Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.

The Mechanical and Reliability Department provides innovative solutions for electronic prototypes designed for advanced sensing, communication, and navigation systems. Areas of expertise include ground, airborne and shipboard systems. Engineers from the group are critical to all aspects of prototype or system development beginning with conceptual design, continuing through detail design, system integration and test, fabrication, and environmental testing. We provide technical guidance through rigorous analytical, physical, and computational methods with data driven products to enhance decision making and risk management.

Roles & Responsibilities:

MITRE is seeking a hands-on Engineering Assistant / Hardware Integration Specialist to support the design, integration, modification, testing, and sustainment of prototype and operational electronic systems. This role is ideal for a technically versatile practitioner who can bridge lab operations, hardware fabrication, electronics troubleshooting, RF test support, logistics, and field experimentation.

The successful candidate will bring practical experience across electronic hardware integration, rapid prototyping, circuit analysis /debug, rework soldering, and precision test and measurement. This person will work closely with engineers and project teams to build, modify, evaluate, and transition hardware solutions in support of national security sponsors.

• Support the integration, modification, and troubleshooting of modular electronic and RF hardware systems
• Assess electronic prototype designs for viability and manufacturability
• Independently analyze project scope, build/assemble electro-mechanical prototype hardware, make appropriate adjustments in the absence of detailed documentation
• Perform equipment testing, integration, and RF test support for developmental systems
• Troubleshoot complex design issues, linearity/noise challenges and implementation constraints to ensure robust prototypes
• Support breadboard testing, schematic component selection, and bench-level circuit debug
• Conduct hands-on activities such as soldering, cable fabrication and hardware salvage/repair
• Assist with rapid prototyping efforts across electronics, packaging, and hardware system support
• Provide operational support for fabrication labs, equipment calibration, and test environments
• Coordinate logistics activities including equipment tracking, lab inventory, and purchasing
• Prepare systems and hardware for field experiments, demonstrations, and sponsor engagements
• Partner with multidisciplinary engineering teams to transition concepts into usable prototypes and technical capabilities
• Document prototype hardware configurations, test procedures, integration findings, and sustainment recommendations
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship for junior technical staff
• Travel for field testing and demonstration support up to 20% time

Basic Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in engineering technology, electronics, or related field; equivalent practical experience may be considered
• Demonstrated experience with electronics hardware integration and bench-level troubleshooting
• Experience supporting prototype development, equipment testing, or lab/fabrication operations
• Working knowledge of:
  • Soldering and rework
  • Circuit Analysis and RF Theory
  • Test and measurement (expert in use of tools such as logic analyzer, spectrum analyzer, oscilloscope, waveform generator, network analyzer, EMI meter)
  • RF test support
  • System integration and modification
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail functions of role
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapting to changing priorities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance
• Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in a calibration, metrology, or military electronics maintenance environment.
• Experience supporting field experiments or deployed technical demonstrations
• Familiarity with RF systems, antennas, waveform test environments, or EW-related hardware.
• Experience in fabrication lab operations, electronics assembly, or environmental/test support
• Background in equipment repair, salvage, or sustainment engineering
• Experience collaborating with engineers across mechanical, electrical, RF, and systems integration disciplines

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

Secret

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

None

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$100,000 - $125,000 - $150,000 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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