Director Hardware Engineering Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

OM Defence Systems develops advanced drone and autonomy technologies for defence and security applications. Our mission is to build reliable, intelligent unmanned systems that integrate flight control, real‑time communication, and AI-powered decision‑making.

We are expanding our hardware engineering team in Berlin and looking for an Embedded Hardware Engineer to design and validate next‑generation electronic systems for our unmanned platforms.
This role is suited for an engineer who works across the full hardware lifecycle, from circuit design and prototyping to testing and production support in a fast‑moving R&D environment.

• Design analog and digital circuits and develop high‑quality schematics using Altium Designer or KiCad.
• Select electronic components, evaluate alternatives, and support PCB layout for manufacturability, reliability, and signal integrity.
• Develop and document cable harnesses, wiring diagrams, and system interconnects.
• Build, test, and debug hardware prototypes, troubleshooting issues at board and system level.
• Perform basic analyses and simulations including power distribution, signal integrity, and EMC/EMI considerations.
• Prepare and maintain engineering documentation such as schematics, BOMs, revision history, and fabrication notes.
• Collaborate with PCB manufacturers and assembly partners, assess capabilities, and support production‑related discussions.
• Work closely with firmware, systems, and mechanical engineering teams throughout development and testing.
• Support hardware validation during lab and field testing of autonomous systems.

You should have strong experience in hardware design and embedded electronics.

• 3+ years of experience in hardware design, embedded electronics, or circuit development.
• Experience designing RF circuits operating in the microwave frequency range (1–40 GHz), including LNAs, mixers, VCOs, PLLs, and power amplifiers.
• Practical lab experience using oscilloscopes, multimeters, signal generators, logic analyzers, and similar tools.
• Hands‑on experience with microcontrollers, sensors, power management, and communication interfaces such as UART, SPI, I²C, CAN.

• Strong understanding of analog and digital electronics, component behaviour, and board‑level design principles.
• Proficiency with Altium Designer or KiCad for schematic creation.
• Knowledge of SMT processes, PCB fabrication technologies, and assembly constraints.
• Strong soldering skills including SMD and THT components.
• Ability to read and interpret datasheets, reference designs, and technical documentation in English.
• Proficiency with RF simulation tools such as Keysight ADS, AWR Microwave Office, or similar EDA platforms.
• Solid understanding of transmission line theory, impedance matching networks, and S‑parameter characterisation.
• Experience designing and reviewing RF PCBs on high‑frequency laminates such as Rogers, Taconic, and PTFE‑based materials, including controlled‑impedance stackups and via optimisation.
• Hands‑on experience with RF test equipment such as VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and power meters.

• Experience with power electronics
• Basic firmware or MCU programming
• Experience debugging mixed‑signal systems
• Strong grasp of noise figure, dynamic range, and link budget calculations
• Understanding of EMC, spurious emission suppression, LO leakage mitigation, and IQ imbalance correction at the hardware level
• Familiarity with phased array antenna architectures and beamforming concepts
• Experience with MMIC integration and RF module packaging
• Understanding of Doppler signal processing fundamentals or range‑velocity estimation at the hardware interface level
• Experience with GaAs, GaN, or SiGe component selection for high‑frequency applications
• Knowledge of FMCW or pulsed waveform hardware front‑end requirements

You will work on advanced hardware systems with direct impact on product performance.

• Work on cutting‑edge autonomous systems and defence‑grade technologies.
• A high degree of ownership in hardware architecture and product design.
• Modern lab environment and real‑world testing of your hardware.
• Opportunity to collaborate with a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Competitive compensation package.
• Office in Berlin with hybrid flexibility.