Senior Hardware Engineer, Radar Systems

HRL Laboratories; Calabasas (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401K match

Gym facilities

Paid time off

Sick time

Career advancement

Challenging work environment

Job summary

HRL Laboratories, an IBM company, seeks a senior radar systems leader to drive next-generation AESA from R&D to prototypes. You will guide cross-disciplinary teams in radar hardware, software, and testing while ensuring architectural integrity and customer-aligned strategies.

We expect 5+ years in advanced phased array systems, degrees in EE/ME, DoD familiarity, and strong leadership. California location with competitive compensation and robust benefits package.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in research and product development on advanced phased array radar systems.
• Degreed in electrical or mechanical engineering or related field.
• Experience with system analysis, architecture, trade studies, modeling and test.
• Experience with advanced packaging and RF hardware.
• Familiarity with DoD missions and technology acquisition.
• Knowledge of MIL-STD and RF hardware standards.
• Ability to lead and mentor large multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development lifecycle from concept to deployment.
• Oversee system architectural design and ensure customer requirements alignment.
• Provide technical leadership to radar hardware, software, and tests.
• Identify and mitigate risks across the product lifecycle.
• Conduct reviews and guide critical engineering decisions.
• Drive R&D initiatives and explore disruptive technologies.
• Contribute invention disclosures, papers, and customer briefings; support proposals.

Skills

Radar systems leadership

System architecture

Requirements development

Modeling & simulation

RF hardware design

DoD familiarity

Leadership of multidisciplinary teams

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in EE/ME

Tools

Electromagnetic simulation tools

Job description

HRL Laboratories, an IBM company, pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers - ready for real-world application. For more than 70 years, HRL's rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other - often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways. As a private company owned by IBM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art.

HRL Laboratories develops radiofrequency, millimeter-wave and electro-optical sensors using state-of-the-art materials and device fabrication processes to deliver agile, mission-ready systems. Our high-performance solutions are highly integrated, architecturally low cost, and optimized for size, weight and power efficiency while leveraging commercial, custom and novel mixed-signal innovations.

Our Sensing and Communication Systems Division is composed of talented scientists and engineers with expertise in RFIC and MMIC circuit design, advanced packaging, antenna design, system prototyping, signal processing, integration and characterization to build advanced radar and communication systems. We are looking to hire a highly experienced candidate to lead next generation of radar technologies from research & development (R&D) into prototypes/products such as active electronically scanned arrays (AESA). This role will be instrumental in developing and supporting our technical strategies and roadmaps, leading our engineering teams, and driving the development of innovative products for our customers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end development life cycle, from conceptualization to deployment
• Oversee the system architectural design and technical integrity ensuring all engineering activities and developments comply with customer requirements
• Provide strong technical leadership and guidance to all engineering disciplines including radar hardware, software, system integrations, and tests
• Identify and mitigate technical risks throughout the product lifecycle, from conceptual design through deployment
• Conduct technical reviews, provide guidance and make critical technical decisions on complex engineering challenges
• Drive R&D initiatives, exploring emerging technologies to maintain our competitive edge and introduce disruptive capabilities
• Additional job functions include writing invention disclosures, publishing papers, briefing customers, and leading in proposal/marketing activities

Required Skills:

• 5+ years of technical and leadership experience in research and product development on advanced phased array radar systems.
• Bachelor’s or master’s or Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or a related technical discipline
• Experience in system analysis, system architecture, requirements development, trade studies, modeling and simulation, integration and test, and data analysis
• Experience with advanced microelectronic packaging and manufacturing, high frequency and electromagnetic simulation tools.
• Understanding of DoD missions and technology acquisition process
• Familiarity with regulations and standards for military (MIL-STD) and RF hardware
• Experience implementing system engineering principles and working with technical teams to ensure compliance with best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor large multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Physical Requirements:

• Applicant must be able to interact professionally with program managers, co-workers, and customers, as well as perform detailed analyses and prepare written and oral presentations.
• Ability to work well in a team and independently.
• Must be willing to travel and work in a team of highly skilled engineers on complex projects, and willingness to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

Special Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance
• Active US Security Clearance is a plus

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay Range: $140,700 - $175,950
• Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.

• Benefits: HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment.
• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: https://www.hrl.com/careers/benefits

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug‑free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

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