Senior Hardware Architect

Cherry Bekaert Foundation; Columbia (MD); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The Cherry Bekaert Foundation is seeking a Senior Hardware Architect to lead the design of ruggedized, embedded hardware platforms deployed in mission‑critical environments. This hands‑on role centers on physical product development, owning how hardware systems are designed, built, and integrated, while working closely with embedded software and engineering teams to bring complex edge devices to life.

You will own hardware system design and guide development through a structured phase‑gate

Qualifications

• 8–15+ years of experience in hardware engineering, embedded hardware, or product development environments.
• Strong experience working on physical hardware products (not purely software).
• Experience integrating compute, IO, sensors, and other hardware components into complete systems.
• Comfortable operating as a technical lead / architect across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Strong communication skills—able to work with both engineers and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical lead for hardware platforms, guiding design across ruggedized systems
• Translate customer requirements (DoD / defense stakeholders) into practical hardware and system solutions
• Partner with engineering teams across electrical, mechanical, and embedded software disciplines
• Lead development of box-level hardware systems (compute, IO, sensors, and integrated components)
• Drive design decisions around power, thermal, durability, and system reliability in extreme environments
• Guide product development through a structured phase-gate lifecycle
• Act as a key interface between external customers and internal engineering teams

Skills

Hardware engineering

Embedded hardware

System integration

Technical leadership

Communication

Job description

Senior Hardware Architect

Location: Washington D.C. - Baltimore MD area (Relocation Available)

Salary: Competitive base + bonus + equity

Work Model: On-site/Hybrid

Our client, a growing defense technology company, is hiring a Senior Hardware Architect to lead the design and development of ruggedized, embedded hardware platforms deployed in mission‑critical environments.

This role is centered around physical product development, owning how hardware systems are designed, built, and integrated, while working closely with embedded software and engineering teams to bring complex edge devices to life.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Serve as a technical lead for hardware platforms, guiding design across ruggedized systems


• Translate customer requirements (DoD / defense stakeholders) into practical hardware and system solutions


• Partner with engineering teams across electrical, mechanical, and embedded software disciplines


• Lead development of box-level hardware systems (compute, IO, sensors, and integrated components)


• Drive design decisions around power, thermal, durability, and system reliability in extreme environments


• Guide product development through a structured phase-gate lifecycle


• Act as a key interface between external customers and internal engineering teams

Ideal Background:

• 8–15+ years of experience in hardware engineering, embedded hardware, or product development environments


• Strong experience working on physical hardware products (not purely software systems)


• Experience integrating compute, IO, sensors, and other hardware components into complete systems


• Comfortable operating as a technical lead / architect across multiple engineering disciplines


• Strong communication skills—able to work with both engineers and external stakeholders

Nice To Have:

• Experience in defense, aerospace, robotics, or industrial systems


• Exposure to edge computing or GPU-based platforms (NVIDIA, AI/ML)


• Background in rugged or mission‑critical environments


• Any experience working directly with customers or gathering requirements

Additional Details:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with ability to obtain a Secret clearance


• Relocation assistance available


• Role requires time in a hands‑on hardware environment (not fully remote)