Lead Hardware Engineer - Onsite position

DY4 Curtiss-Wright DS, Inc.; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

401K with Employer Match and Profit Sh

Health and Wellness Benefits

Learning and Development Opportunities

Referral Program

Competitive Pay

Recognition

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Inclusive & Supportive Culture

Job summary

Curtiss-Wright DS, Inc. is seeking a Lead Hardware Engineer to drive the design of 3U/6U VPX SBCs, FPGA, switches, and I/O cards for defense applications in Ashburn, VA.

You will lead cross‑functional teams, translate customer requirements into robust hardware solutions, and guide testing through qualification and production. Ideal candidates have 8+ years in DoD embedded hardware, HDI PCB design, and extensive leadership experience, with a strong background in high‑reliability environments and

Qualifications

• DoD embedded hardware design experience.
• SBC/FPGA/I‑O card development experience.
• HDI PCB design with complex multi‑layer, vias, blind/buried vias.
• Experience with Expedition toolset.
• US Citizenship and DoD security clearance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead collaboration with engineering, PM, test, and ops teams in small, integrated multi‑disciplined teams.
• Lead design/development of 3U/6U VPX SBC, FPGA, switch, and I/O cards for high-speed data processing.
• Develop custom form-factor systems with SBC, FPGA, switch, I/O, power, and thermal management, including LFT.
• Translate customer requirements into system architectures and hardware solutions.
• Evaluate feasibility and balance performance, cost, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Act as technical lead for hardware development, design reviews, and decisions.
• Guide hardware testing, qualification, and production readiness to meet requirements.
• Promote engineering best practices to improve product time‑to‑market and reliability.
• Create and maintain design docs, procedures, and engineering manuals.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical direction for team success.

Skills

DoD embedded hardware design

Hardware design

SBC/FPGA/I-O card development

High-speed digital

HDI PCB design

Leadership

US Citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Siemens Expedition DX Designer

Siemens Expedition PCB tools

Job description

Lead Hardware Engineer - Onsite Position

Curtiss-Wright is growing and has multiple openings for experienced Lead Hardware Engineer to join our Defense Solutions Group. This role involves leading the design and development of complex electrical boards, including single board computers (SBC), FPGA, switch, and input/output cards in 3U and 6U VPX form factors, as well as custom form-factor systems incorporating software, firmware, and hardware security elements. The ideal candidate brings extensive expertise in electronic components, integrated circuitry, mechanical systems, and DSP systems, with a proven ability to provide technical leadership and deliver complex hardware solutions through design, testing, qualification, and production phases.

Location: Ashburn, VA Salary Range: $108,900 - $150,000 per year plus bonus Please note that the salary range information provided is a general guideline only, reflecting a position based in Virginia. Criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, the scope of the specific position, as well as market and business considerations will be evaluated when extending an offer.

We Take Care of Our People

• Paid Time Off
• 401K with Employer Match and Profit Sharing
• Health and Wellness Benefits
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Referral Program
• Competitive Pay
• Recognition
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Inclusive & Supportive Culture

Your Challenge

• Lead collaboration with engineering, project management, test, and operations teams in small, highly integrated, multidisciplinary teams to meet demanding customer requirements.
• Lead the design and development of 3U and 6U VPX SBC, FPGA, switch, and I/O cards supporting high-speed data processing applications.
• Lead the design and development of custom form-factor systems incorporating SBC, FPGA, switch, and I/O cards, power supplies, and thermal management elements, including Liquid-Flow-Through (LFT) methods.
• Provide technical leadership in translating customer requirements into system architectures, functional designs, and hardware solutions.
• Evaluate technical feasibility and recommend design approaches balancing performance, cost, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Act as a technical lead for hardware development activities, supporting project execution, design reviews, and technical decision-making.
• Lead hardware testing, qualification, and troubleshooting activities to ensure compliance with requirements and customer expectations.
• Establish and promote engineering best practices to improve product performance, reliability, and time-to-market (TTM).
• Develop, review, and maintain technical procedures, design documentation, and engineering manuals.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical direction to support team development and successful project execution.

What you Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in DoD embedded systems and hardware design, including SBC, FPGA, switch, and I/O card development.
• Extensive experience designing mixed-signal, high-speed digital, analog, and low-power, high-current circuits in high-reliability environments.
• Strong experience designing high-density interconnect (HDI) PCBs, including complex multi-layer designs, multi-lamination processes, blind/buried vias, and uVia structures.
• Hands‑on experience with Siemens Expedition DX Designer (SCH) and Siemens Expedition PCB tools.
• Ability to lead technical efforts, prioritize competing tasks, drive execution, and deliver results in high‑pressure, schedule‑driven environments.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership, mentoring engineers, and guiding complex hardware designs from concept through production.
• Strong understanding of hardware architecture, design trade‑offs, verification, qualification, and production support.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams, customers, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• US Citizenship required; active DoD security clearance preferred.

Who We Are

Our Values Environmental, Social and Governance Curtiss-Wright's Defense Solution division is a trusted, proven leader, delivering superior products and services that meet the defense and aerospace industries’ toughest challenges with best‑in‑class value. Our solutions address air, ground, and naval defense applications, and are focused on growth segments with a high demand for advanced technology, enhanced safety, security, and performance. As a leading Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) solutions supplier for battlefield platforms and communication systems, we are uniquely positioned to benefit from the DoD’s commitment to maintaining technological superiority on the battlefield.

To learn more visit: Home | Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions (curtisswrightds.com)

Compliance Statement

This position may require exposure to export‑controlled information and subject to additional security screening. In the event information provided during the security screening reveals ineligibility to access export‑controlled information, any offer of employment may be reconsidered or withdrawn.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Curtiss-Wright is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, religion, veteran status, national origin, or any other legally protected status.

If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition. For US Applicants: EEO is The Law – click here for more information. If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact Talent Acquisition and we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.

Join the WRIGHT Team!

Over 95 years of growth, Curtiss‑Wright is an integrated, market‑facing global diversified industrial company and remains a technology leader through this legacy of innovation. Through three well‑balanced segments – Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics and Naval & Power, we remain focused on advanced technologies for high‑performance platforms and critical applications.

Diversity, commitment to excellence and dedication to the spirit of pioneering innovation continue to drive the employees of Curtiss‑Wright.

Our Values

Leadership We lead based on vision and strategic direction, empowering employees to reach goals through thoughtful and decisive action.

Customer Focus We are committed to achieving total quality by meeting our customers’ expectations and delivering products and services in a timely fashion.

Teamwork & Trust Working in a spirit of trust and collaboration, we actively encourage employees to contribute their ideas and innovations to keep our company moving forward.

Respect for People We believe that people are our most valuable asset and will always do the right thing in our dealings and interactions with all employees.

Integrity We will act with the highest integrity in all of our business relationships and strategic partnerships.