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Embedded Hardware Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Hardware Reverse Engineer

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$134K - $202K/yr

Collaborating closely with top-tier hardware engineers and security researchers, you'll help tackle ... Reverse engineer and analyze complex embedded systems designs to identify functional behaviors and ...

Parsons is looking for talented Cleared Hardware and Embedded Systems Reverse Engineers to join our team! In this role you will work directly on an agile, tight knit development team helping to drive ...

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Embedded Hardware Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$70.9K

$128.9K

$180.4K

How much do embedded hardware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded hardware engineer in Virginia is $128,932.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,600.00 and $155,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Embedded Hardware Engineers during product development?

Embedded Hardware Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing tight deadlines while ensuring reliable hardware performance and compatibility with embedded software. Balancing power consumption, size constraints, and cost-effectiveness in design can also be demanding. Additionally, troubleshooting hardware-software integration issues and staying updated with rapidly evolving technology standards are typical hurdles. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as firmware developers and mechanical engineers, is crucial to address these challenges effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Embedded Hardware Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Embedded Hardware Engineer, you need a solid background in electronics, circuit design, and microcontroller architecture, typically supported by a degree in electrical or computer engineering. Familiarity with tools such as PCB design software (e.g., Altium Designer), oscilloscopes, and debugging systems, as well as knowledge of relevant industry standards, is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set exceptional engineers apart in this role. These skills and qualifications ensure the reliable design, testing, and integration of hardware systems critical to product performance and innovation.

What does an Embedded Hardware Engineer do?

An Embedded Hardware Engineer designs, develops, and tests the physical components of embedded systems, such as microcontrollers, sensors, and circuit boards. They work closely with software engineers to ensure the hardware and software work seamlessly together within products like medical devices, automotive systems, and consumer electronics. Their responsibilities include schematic design, PCB layout, prototyping, debugging, and validating hardware performance. Embedded Hardware Engineers often collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to bring innovative electronic products from concept to production.

What is the difference between Embedded Hardware Engineer vs Firmware Engineer?

AspectEmbedded Hardware EngineerFirmware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fieldsBachelor's in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing hardware components, working in labs or manufacturing settingsDeveloping and debugging embedded software, often in software development labs
Industry UsageElectronics, consumer devices, automotive, aerospaceConsumer electronics, IoT devices, embedded systems
Common Search/ComparisonEmbedded Hardware Engineer vs Firmware Engineer

Embedded Hardware Engineers focus on designing and testing physical electronic components, while Firmware Engineers develop the software that runs on these hardware devices. Both roles often collaborate but require different skill sets and focus areas within embedded systems development.

What job categories do people searching Embedded Hardware Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Embedded Hardware Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Embedded Hardware Engineer job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,932 per year, or $62 per hour.

Subject Matter Expert Hardware Reverse Engineer

NewGen

Arlington, VA โ€ข On-site

$142K - $187K/yr

Full-time

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Our Partner is supporting a U.S. Government customer to provide support for onsite incident response to civilian Government agencies and critical asset owners who experience cyber-attacks, providing immediate investigation and resolution. Contract personnel perform investigations to characterize the severity of breaches, develop mitigation plans, and assist with the restoration of services. They are seeking a Subject Matter Expert with hardware reverse engineering to support this critical customer mission.
The Subject Matter Expert Hardware Reverse Engineer will provide specialized expertise in hardware reverse engineering focused on operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems. This position requires deep technical knowledge of proprietary hardware systems, exploitation methodologies, and defensive strategies to support forensic investigations of compromised edge devices and systems where threat actors have embedded malware deeply within hardware components.
This position focuses on the analytical and investigative aspects of hardware forensics, with particular emphasis on operational technology and industrial control systems. The ideal candidates will have strong reverse engineering skills and deep understanding of threat actor methodologies targeting critical infrastructure.
Responsibilities
  • Conduct comprehensive hardware reverse engineering of OT and ICS devices
  • Analyze network-edge devices and embedded systems compromised by advanced threats
  • Perform deep-dive analysis of proprietary hardware targeted by adversaries
  • Conduct reverse engineering, failure analysis, vulnerability analysis, and other research techniques to understand complex hardware systems, assess the functionality of components, and identify exploitation risks
  • Identify and extract deeply embedded malware from hardware components
  • Reverse engineer firmware and low-level software on embedded devices
  • Collaborate with Partner research teams to leverage cutting-edge analytical capabilities
  • Utilize and enhance KI2 system emulation capabilities for hardware analysis
  • Document exploitation methodologies and defensive countermeasures
  • Develop standard operating procedures for hardware forensics workflows
  • Train CSD analysts on hardware reverse engineering techniques
  • Provide expert consultation on edge device security and vulnerabilities
  • Support forensic investigations in environments lacking EDR visibility
  • Analyze proprietary communication protocols and embedded systems functions
  • Identify hardware backdoors, implants, and malicious modifications
  • Collaborate with electrical engineers on chip-off forensics procedures
  • Provide reach-back support to operational analysts during active investigations
  • Contribute to research initiatives on emerging hardware threats
  • Document technical findings and intelligence for stakeholder dissemination
Requirements
  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Active TS/SCI Clearance
  • Must be able to obtain DHS Suitability
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related discipline; Master's degree or PhD preferred
  • 10+ years of experience in hardware reverse engineering or embedded systems analysis
  • Deep expertise in OT/ICS hardware platforms and vulnerabilities
  • Ability to analyze novel or proprietary systems with limited documentation
  • Strong communication skills for explaining complex technical findings
  • Experience working collaboratively in research-oriented environments
  • Strong experience with firmware reverse engineering and analysis
  • Proficiency with reverse engineering tools (IDA Pro, Ghidra, Binary Ninja)
  • Deep understanding of ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, and other embedded processor architectures
  • Experience analyzing network-edge devices (routers, switches, firewalls, IoT devices)
  • Knowledge of hardware debugging interfaces (JTAG, SWD, UART)
  • Strong programming and scripting skills (Python, C, Assembly)
  • Understanding of exploitation techniques targeting embedded systems
  • Experience with malware analysis in hardware/firmware contexts
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
Desired Skills
  • Experience supporting federal cybersecurity or critical infrastructure protection programs
  • Experience performing inspection, imaging, decapsulation, deprocessing, and other activities related to hardware reverse engineering and exploitation in a state-of-the-art microelectronics exploitation laboratory
  • Background in offensive security or penetration testing of OT environments
  • Advanced certifications in reverse engineering (GREM, GXPN, or similar)
  • Experience with SCADA, PLC, RTU, and other industrial control components
  • Knowledge of critical infrastructure sector technologies (energy, utilities, manufacturing)
  • Familiarity with supply chain security and hardware implant detection
  • Experience with system emulation platforms and virtual hardware analysis
  • Understanding of threat actor TTPs targeting OT and edge devices
  • Background in electronics manufacturing or hardware security research
  • Experience with chip decapsulation and invasive hardware analysis techniques
Desired Certifications
  • DoD 8140.01 IAT Level III
  • PMP

About Us
For more than 20 years, NewGen Technologies has solved our clients' toughest IT challenges with integrity, security, and outstanding service by delivering both technology and talent. We have helped secure borders, have used artificial intelligence (AI) to fight terror, aided the identification of criminals, and have helped to prevent crime through the introduction of biometrics. Our team of Highly Cleared Specialists have hard-to-find skills and expertise in a wide spectrum of technologies to provide solutions that transform business processes and solve problems of national significance. #CJ