Principal Hardware Design Engineer

Leidos Inc; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos seeks a Principal Hardware Design Engineer to lead the design, development, testing, and reverse engineering of advanced hardware solutions for mission-critical government programs.

As a senior technical authority, you will mentor engineers, shape hardware design methodologies, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver reliable, cost-efficient solutions that meet stringent security requirements for national security missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance at time of Application to be considered for the position.
• Minimum of twelve (12) years of experience in integrated circuit or microelectronic component design or reverse engineering.

Responsibilities

• Direct the design, development, testing, and continuous improvement of advanced integrated circuits, hardware components, embedded firmware, and signal processing technologies.
• Lead complex hardware engineering initiatives while ensuring designs remain reliable, manufacturable, cost-effective, and aligned with mission objectives.
• Provide technical direction throughout the hardware development lifecycle, supporting successful delivery of complex engineering solutions.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering organizations to resolve challenging technical problems and ensure project success.
• Mentor engineers across multiple experience levels, supporting technical growth and continuous learning.

Skills

Technical leadership

Reverse engineering

Mentor engineers

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Job description

Description

About Leidos

Leidos is a FORTUNE 500 company bringing a mix of innovative technology and sector expertise to customers in the national security, engineering, and health industries. We deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. Guided by our Mission, Vision, and Values, Leidos empowers its teams, contributes to its communities, and operates sustainably-always with a commitment to doing the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

The Leidos Intel Sector

The Leidos Intel Sector combines technology-enabled services and mission software capabilities in the areas of cyber, logistics, security operations, and decision analytics to support Intelligence Community customers as they address evolving national security challenges.

About the Opportunity

Leidos is seeking an accomplished Principal Hardware Design Engineer to provide technical leadership in the design, development, testing, and reverse engineering of advanced hardware solutions supporting mission-critical Government programs. As part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, you will serve as a senior technical authority, guiding complex engineering efforts, advancing innovative design methodologies, and helping shape the future direction of hardware engineering capabilities supporting national security missions.

Why This Role Matters

Mission success depends on engineers who not only solve today's technical challenges but also help define tomorrow's solutions. As a Principal Hardware Design Engineer, you will provide expert technical guidance across complex engineering efforts while developing innovative hardware solutions, advancing reverse engineering methodologies, and mentoring engineering teams. Your expertise will directly influence the development of critical hardware technologies that enable Intelligence Community operations.

What You'll Do

Hardware Design & Development

• Direct the design, development, testing, and continuous improvement of advanced integrated circuits, hardware components, embedded firmware, and signal processing technologies.
• Lead complex hardware engineering initiatives while ensuring designs remain reliable, manufacturable, cost-effective, and aligned with mission objectives.
• Provide technical direction throughout the hardware development lifecycle, supporting successful delivery of complex engineering solutions.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering organizations to resolve challenging technical problems and ensure project success.

Physical Design & Implementation

• Direct the application of ASIC and FPGA Place-and-Route (P&R) tools, engineering libraries, and physical implementation methodologies.
• Oversee integration of new P&R tools, design libraries, and technology updates into the Government's computer-aided design environment.
• Provide technical guidance for complex physical design, implementation, and optimization activities.
• Collaborate with tool and library vendors to evaluate and implement innovative engineering solutions.

Reverse Engineering & Analysis

• Lead advanced reverse engineering efforts involving integrated circuits, firmware, and complex electronic components.
• Oversee de-processing activities and firmware retrieval using approved reverse engineering procedures.
• Develop novel reverse engineering methodologies supporting new component technologies and evolving mission requirements.
• Guide hardware adaptation efforts that modify vendor-manufactured hardware to satisfy specialized Government needs.

Technical Leadership & Innovation

• Serve as an internal technical consultant, providing expert engineering guidance on the organization's most complex hardware design initiatives.
• Direct and review the technical work of Hardware Design Engineers while promoting engineering excellence and knowledge sharing.
• Mentor engineers across multiple experience levels, supporting technical growth and continuous learning.
• Evaluate emerging hardware technologies, engineering tools, and design methodologies to improve engineering capabilities and mission performance.
• Develop engineering best practices and technical standards that enhance design quality, innovation, and long-term maintainability.

This posting is for multiple opportunities.

Required Qualifications

Clearance

• TS/SCI with Polygraph, at time of Application, to be considered for the position.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Five (5) additional years of hardware design engineering experience may be substituted for the required bachelor's degree.

Experience

• Minimum of twelve (12) years of experience in integrated circuit or microelectronic component design or reverse engineering supporting programs or contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Intelligence Community or other national security missions.

Pay Range

131,300.00 - 237,350.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement.

More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.