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Hardware Development Lead Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Reach

Lead Hardware Engineer

Redwood City, CA

$175K - $240K/yr

As a Hardware Lead Engineer, you will technically drive a significant section of Reach's hardware ... At least seven (7) years experience in hardware development. * Strong electronics design experience ...

Reach

Lead Hardware Engineer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$175K - $240K/yr

As a Hardware Lead Engineer, you will technically drive a significant section of Reach's hardware ... At least seven (7) years experience in hardware development. * Strong electronics design experience ...

Trimble, Inc.

Hardware Development Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$144K - $191K/yr

Lead the life cycle development of circuit card assemblies and programmable logic, taking products ... Full-stack hardware bring-up skills with expertise in Board Support Package (BSP) development for ...

Trimble

Hardware Development Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$144K - $191K/yr

Lead the life cycle development of circuit card assemblies and programmable logic, taking products ... Full-stack hardware bring-up skills with expertise in Board Support Package (BSP) development for ...

Reach

Lead Hardware Engineer

Redwood City, CA

$125K - $165K/yr

As a Hardware Lead Engineer, you will technically drive a significant section of Reach's hardware ... At least seven (7) years experience in hardware development. * Strong electronics design experience ...

Amazon

Hardware Development Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$138K - $182K/yr

Key job responsibilities In this role, you will be expected to lead a variety of tasks, from board ... computer engineering, or equivalent - 3+ years of experience in hardware development across the ...

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All JobsHardware Development Lead Engineer Jobs

Hardware Development Lead Engineer information

See salary details

$42.5K

$123.8K

$180.5K

How much do hardware development lead engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for hardware development lead engineer in the United States is $123,784.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,500.00 and $135,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Hardware Development Lead Engineer vs Hardware Design Engineer?

AspectHardware Development Lead EngineerHardware Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, certifications like PMP are commonBachelor's or Master's in Electrical or Computer Engineering, certifications less common
Work EnvironmentLeads cross-functional teams, manages project timelines, collaborates with manufacturingFocuses on designing and testing hardware components, works primarily in design labs
Industry UsageUsed in product development, R&D, and engineering management rolesPrimarily in hardware product design, prototyping, and testing

The Hardware Development Lead Engineer oversees entire hardware projects, managing teams and ensuring project delivery, while the Hardware Design Engineer concentrates on creating and testing hardware components. Both roles require technical expertise, but the Lead Engineer has broader responsibilities in project management and coordination.

What does a Hardware Development Lead Engineer do?

A Hardware Development Lead Engineer oversees the design, development, and testing of electronic hardware components and systems. They lead a team of engineers, manage project timelines, and ensure that hardware products meet technical specifications and quality standards. Their responsibilities also include collaborating with cross-functional teams, troubleshooting complex issues, and staying up-to-date with technological advancements in hardware engineering. Ultimately, they play a key role in turning product concepts into reliable, manufacturable hardware solutions.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior hardware development lead engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills in FPGA, ASIC design, or embedded systems, and working in high-demand industries like aerospace or semiconductor manufacturing, can earn $300,000 or more annually. Compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, and other incentives, particularly at large tech companies or startups with significant funding.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Hardware Development Lead Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hardware Development Lead Engineer, you need a deep understanding of electronic circuit design, hardware architecture, and embedded systems, typically supported by a degree in electrical or computer engineering. Expertise in CAD tools like Altium Designer or Cadence, along with familiarity with industry standards and certifications such as IPC or ISO, is commonly required. Strong project management, leadership, and effective communication skills help drive cross-functional teams and deliver complex hardware projects. These skills ensure innovative, reliable hardware solutions are developed efficiently and meet both technical and business objectives.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior hardware development lead engineers in high-demand industries or at large technology companies can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with bonuses, stock options, and extensive experience. Such roles typically require advanced skills in circuit design, firmware, and project management, along with a strong track record of successful product development.

What is the highest salary of a hardware engineer?

The highest salary for a hardware development lead engineer can exceed $150,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in FPGA or ASIC design, and leadership responsibilities. Top earners in this field often work in high-tech industries or large corporations and may receive additional compensation such as bonuses and stock options.

What are the main challenges a Hardware Development Lead Engineer faces when managing cross-functional teams during a project?

As a Hardware Development Lead Engineer, one of the main challenges is coordinating effective communication and collaboration between electrical, mechanical, and software teams. Balancing project timelines with technical feasibility requires strong leadership and negotiation skills, especially when unforeseen issues arise. Additionally, ensuring that all team members adhere to design specifications and regulatory standards is critical for successful product delivery. Navigating these complexities while fostering a collaborative team environment is essential for project success.

What does a lead hardware engineer do?

A lead hardware engineer oversees the design, development, and testing of electronic hardware components and systems. They coordinate engineering teams, ensure design specifications are met, and often use tools like CAD software and testing equipment. Their role involves technical leadership, project management, and ensuring hardware reliability and performance.
What cities are hiring for Hardware Development Lead Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Hardware Development Lead Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Hardware Development Lead Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Hardware Development Lead Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Hardware Development Lead Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,784 per year, or $59.5 per hour.
Lead Engineer - Hardware Development

Lead Engineer - Hardware Development

AeroVironment

San Diego, CA • On-site

$151K - $214K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Worker Type

Regular


Job Description

AV is seeking an experienced Lead Hardware Engineer to join the EE/RF Engineering team supporting the Titan Counter-UAS (C-UAS) program in San Diego, CA. In this role, you will serve as the technical lead for hardware development, production, and sustaining engineering efforts across a family of ruggedized RF and electronic subsystems. You will drive PCB design, analog/RF hardware integration, embedded systems work, and hardware qualification activities while providing technical leadership to a multidisciplinary team of electrical engineers and technicians.

This position requires deep hands-on expertise in RF hardware, strong familiarity with defense electronics standards, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, production-oriented environment. You will work cross-functionally with firmware, systems, and program management teams, and interface directly with contract manufacturers and suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

Hardware Design & Development

  • Lead design, review, and release of schematics and PCB layouts for RF receiver, transmitter, and control electronics used in C-UAS systems
  • Own BOM generation, component selection, and revision management across board families
  • Perform and guide signal integrity, power integrity, and RF link budget analysis
  • Conduct and oversee design reviews (PDR, CDR) and ensure design traceability to system requirements
  • Select and qualify connectors, passives, and active components to MIL-grade and IPC standards

RF & Embedded Systems

  • Design and validate RF front-end circuits including LNAs, mixers, filters, and amplifier chains
  • Support embedded hardware integration with MCUs (e.g., AVR ATmega32U4, RP2040) including fuse configuration, I/O mapping, and hardware bring-up
  • Review and contribute to firmware interfaces including SPI, I2C, UART, and USB protocols in coordination with the firmware team
  • Evaluate and characterize SPI NOR flash, RF shields, SMA/SMPM connectors, and other critical components for program use

Production & Quality

  • Support contract manufacturer (CM) relationships including technical coordination of PCB fabrication (IPC-6012 Class 2/3) and PCBA assembly
  • Manage hardware repair pipelines; triage, diagnose, and coordinate rework on fielded units
  • Develop and maintain test procedures, assembly work instructions, and acceptance test specifications

Team Leadership & Program Support

  • Provide technical mentorship to junior and mid-level electrical engineers and engineering technicians
  • Coordinate with management on hardware schedules, risk identification, and status reporting
  • Interface with vendors and suppliers to manage component lead times, qualification activities, and NRE efforts
  • Contribute to proposal efforts, ROM generation, and engineering change order (ECO) processes

Required Qualifications

  • B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or a closely related field
  • 6+ years of hardware design experience
  • Demonstrated expertise in RF/microwave circuit design
  • Proficiency with EDA tools (Altium Designer strongly preferred) for schematic capture and PCB layout
  • Hands-on experience with lab equipment: spectrum analyzers, VNAs, oscilloscopes, signal generators
  • Strong knowledge of PCB manufacturing standards (IPC-6012, IPC-A-610) and military environmental test standards (MIL-STD-810)
  • Experience supporting contract manufacturers through NPI and production phases

Preferred Qualifications

  • 2+ years in a leadership or senior individual contributor role
  • Experience with ERP/PLM systems (e.g., Arena PLM, Odoo, Oracle Fusion) for BOM and change management
  • Prior experience at a defense prime or Tier-1 defense subcontractor


Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$151,000 - $214,200

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment's determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment's business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isn't for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don't just build defense technology-we redefine what's possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian-but we're not building history, we're building what's next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters-with speed, scale, and purpose-there's no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data,sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required

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