Senior Hardware Systems Architect – Defense (Lead)

CHAOS Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k match

Free daily lunch

Unlimited PTO

Casual dress code

Job summary

CHAOS Industries is seeking a Senior Staff Hardware Systems Engineer to lead development of next-generation defense systems from concept through field deployment. You will translate mission needs into system architectures and integrated hardware solutions, driving technical tradeoffs and ensuring reliability in operational environments.

The role combines deep technical credibility with leadership across cross-functional teams, delivering hardware in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field; 10–12+ years of relevant engineering experience
• Background in space systems, missile systems, avionics, radar, EW, or defense electronics
• Strong understanding of system architecture, interface definition, and engineering tradeoffs
• Proven technical leadership of small multidisciplinary engineering teams delivering complex hardware products

Responsibilities

• Lead a small cross-functional hardware development team, establishing technical priorities and driving execution from concept through production
• Lead hardware systems engineering from early product definition through architecture, requirements, qualification, production, and lifecycle support
• Define system architectures and allocate functionality across mechanical, electrical, RF, software, and test subsystems
• Lead system-level trade studies balancing performance, SWaP-C, manufacturability, reliability, schedule, and cost
• Collaborate with manufacturing, suppliers, and test teams to mature designs into production

Skills

System architecture

Technical leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Requirements allocation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

DOORS

Jama

Cameo

MagicDraw

SysML

Job description

CHAOS Industries is seeking a Senior Staff Hardware Systems Engineer to lead development of next-generation defense systems from concept through field deployment. You will translate mission needs into system architectures and integrated hardware solutions, driving technical tradeoffs and ensuring reliability in operational environments.

The role combines deep technical credibility with leadership across cross-functional teams, delivering hardware in a fast-paced setting.