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Director Hardware Engineering Jobs in Washington

If you have a passion for solving complex engineering challenges, enjoy working with the latest ... With direct access to company leadership, a laid-back and inclusive atmosphere, and exceptional ...

If you have a passion for solving complex engineering challenges, enjoy working with the latest ... With direct access to company leadership, a laid-back and inclusive atmosphere, and exceptional ...

If you have a passion for solving complex engineering challenges, enjoy working with the latest ... With direct access to company leadership, a laid-back and inclusive atmosphere, and exceptional ...

IT Hardware Engineer with Security Clearance

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$127K - $168K/yr

Engineering Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI Employee Type: Regular ... Direct physical and virtual Lab facilities to promote rigorous experimentation, feasibility studies ...

Lead embedded hardware engineering efforts from early concept planning through integration, qualification, and release to production. * Direct and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams, setting ...

New

Principal Hardware Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

Collaborate with engineering, project management, test, and operations teams in small, highly ... Direct and conduct tests to establish standards for new or modified equipment, systems, or ...

Principal Hardware Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

Collaborate with engineering, project management, test, and operations teams in small, highly ... Direct and conduct tests to establish standards for new or modified equipment, systems, or ...

Principal Hardware Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

Collaborate with engineering, project management, test, and operations teams in small, highly ... Direct and conduct tests to establish standards for new or modified equipment, systems, or ...

Showing results 21-40

Director Hardware Engineering information

See Washington salary details

$82.7K

$220.5K

$287.7K

How much do director hardware engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for director hardware engineering in Washington is $220,527.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $160,300.00 and $286,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of hardware engineering do?

A Director of Hardware Engineering leads and oversees teams responsible for designing, developing, and testing hardware components and systems. This role involves setting technical direction, managing budgets and resources, and ensuring that projects meet performance, quality, and timeline goals. Directors also collaborate with other departments such as software engineering, product management, and manufacturing to deliver integrated solutions. Additionally, they play a key role in strategic planning and mentoring engineering talent within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of hardware engineering, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Hardware Engineering, you need deep expertise in hardware design, project management, and a relevant engineering degree, often backed by extensive industry experience. Familiarity with CAD tools, hardware simulation software, and certifications in project management (such as PMP) are typically important. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for guiding teams and aligning engineering efforts with business goals. These skills ensure the successful delivery of innovative hardware solutions, team productivity, and alignment with organizational objectives.

How does a director of hardware engineering typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a product development cycle?

A Director of Hardware Engineering plays a pivotal role in coordinating with cross-functional teams such as software engineering, product management, manufacturing, and quality assurance throughout the product development lifecycle. They facilitate regular meetings to align on project goals, address technical challenges, and ensure that hardware designs integrate seamlessly with other system components. Additionally, they often mediate between technical staff and executive leadership to balance innovation, cost, and timelines, while promoting effective communication and problem-solving across departments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Hardware Engineering jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Hardware Engineering jobs in Washington are:
What job categories do people searching Director Hardware Engineering jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Director Hardware Engineering jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Director Hardware Engineering jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Director Hardware Engineering job openings:
Infographic showing various Director Hardware Engineering job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $220,527 per year, or $106 per hour.

Hardware Engineer 1 (Travel Required) - RF

Captivation Software

Annapolis Junction, MD • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Description

Captivation Software is looking for a mid level hardware engineer who will be responsible for designing, installing, and testing RF systems, with a focus on SATCOM components and devices operating in various frequency bands, including but not limited to C-band, X-band, Ku-band, Ka-band, and Q/V-band. The successful candidate will be working on complex RF system design, installation, and test, and will be required to travel up to 15% worldwide. The RF Design Engineer will be responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of our RF systems, from design to deployment, and will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure systems meet user requirements.

Responsibilities
  • RF Design and  Design, install, and test RF/SATCOM hardware (C, X, Ku, Ka, Q/Vband) while accounting for atmospheric attenuation, ionospheric scintillation, rainfade, and polarizationmismatch effects.
  • Conduct site surveys, climb antennas, rack and align hardware, and operate earthterminal control consoles to establish and maintain wideband and satellite communication links.
  • Perform preventive, scheduled, and corrective maintenance; troubleshoot onthespot malfunctions; apply antijamming techniques and enforce safety/maintenance procedures.
  • Use Keysight PNAX, FieldFox, SpecA, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and BER testers to measure Sparameters, P1dB, TOI, NF, phasenoise, groupdelay, and perform nonlinear analysis (IMD, spectral regrowth).
  • Produce AutoCAD/Visio drawings, block diagrams, schematics, and technical design packages
  • Prepare engineering plans, asbuilt documentation, test reports, and maintenance records; coordinate with crossfunctional teams (system architects, PMs, test sites).
  • Travel upto15% worldwide to support installations, testing, and maintenance in remote or austere environments.
  • Handson proficiency with Keysight PNAX, FieldFox, SpecA, RF signal generators, spectrum/network analyzers, oscilloscopes, and BER testers.
  • Experience developing preventivemaintenance schedules, conducting equipment inspections, and authoring safetyrule documentation.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication; capable of producing technical reports, engineering plans, and briefing packages for multiservice audiences.
  • Proven problemsolving record: troubleshooting complex RF hardware, analyzing data printouts, implementing corrective actions that improve performance and maintainability.
  • Leadership/mentoring ability: lead inspection teams, supervise maintenance activities, and train site personnel.
  • Ability to carry equipment, climb antennas, and rack hardware.
  • Knowledgeable of RF design, installation, and test, with a focus on SATCOM systems.
Requirements
Security Clearance:
  • Must currently hold a Top Secret/SCI U.S. Government security clearance with a favorable Polygraph, therefore all candidates must be a U.S. citizen
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Communications Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Information Systems, Mathematics, or related discipline from an accredited college or university is required
  • Seven (7) years experience as a HE analyzing complex hardware systems for SIGINT solutions
  • Five (5) years of additional hardware engineering experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree

This position is open for direct hires only. We will not consider candidates from third party staffing/recruiting firms.