Senior Hardware Architect — Rugged Edge Systems

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

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