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Hardware Startup Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Embedded Firmware Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$118K - $162K/yr

Fend needs you to help improve our hardware and software. Fend has created a new category of ... Fend is very much a startup environment with new challenges every day. Fend is hiring new teammates ...

We work with hyperscalers and leading electronics manufacturers to automate how hardware is ... As a growing company and startup, priorities may shift as customer or business requirements change.

Experience with FPGAs, Hardware RTL, SDR development. Cultural Fit * Thrive in a startup environment * Positive, team-first communicator * Willing to roll up sleeves and work cross-functionally

Embedded Software Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Experience with FPGAs, Hardware RTL, SDR development. Cultural Fit * Thrive in a startup environment * Positive, team-first communicator * Willing to roll up sleeves and work cross-functionally

Embedded Software Engineer

Dulles, VA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Experience with FPGAs, Hardware RTL, SDR development. Cultural Fit * Thrive in a startup environment * Positive, team-first communicator * Willing to roll up sleeves and work cross-functionally

... startup at its inflection point. * A cross-functional work environment that includes experts in diverse fields like government policy, hardware engineering, mobile and cloud software, supply chain ...

... startup at its inflection point. * A cross-functional work environment that includes experts in diverse fields like government policy, hardware engineering, mobile and cloud software, supply chain ...

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Showing results 1-20

Hardware Startup information

See Virginia salary details

$12

$24

$47

How much do hardware startup jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for hardware startup in Virginia is $24.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.40 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a hardware startup?

A hardware startup is a company focused on designing, developing, and bringing to market physical products or devices that typically incorporate electronics, mechanics, or related technologies. These startups often work on innovative consumer gadgets, industrial equipment, or connected devices (IoT). The process usually involves prototyping, manufacturing, and scaling production, which can present unique challenges compared to purely software-based startups. Hardware startups require expertise in product design, engineering, supply chain management, and may need significant capital for manufacturing and distribution.

What are some common challenges faced by team members working at a hardware startup, and how can they be addressed?

Team members at hardware startups often encounter challenges such as tight development timelines, limited resources, and the need to iterate quickly on physical prototypes. Collaboration between engineers, designers, and supply chain specialists is essential to ensure that the product moves efficiently from concept to production. Open communication, flexibility, and a willingness to take on varied responsibilities are key to overcoming these challenges and driving the company’s success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Hardware Startup Founder, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hardware Startup Founder, you need a solid background in engineering, product development, and business strategy, often supported by relevant degrees or entrepreneurial experience. Familiarity with CAD software, rapid prototyping tools, supply chain management systems, and fundraising platforms is typically essential. Leadership, resilience, and effective communication are standout soft skills for successfully guiding teams and building partnerships. These competencies are crucial for navigating technical challenges, attracting investment, and bringing innovative hardware products to market.

What is the difference between Hardware Startup vs Hardware Engineer?

AspectHardware Startup

AspectHardware Startup

Hardware Startup professionals focus on developing new hardware products from concept to prototype, often working in small teams or startups with a flexible environment. Hardware Engineers typically work within established companies, focusing on designing, testing, and maintaining hardware components. Both roles require technical skills in electronics and engineering, but Hardware Startups emphasize innovation and product development, while Hardware Engineers prioritize reliability and manufacturing processes.

Infographic showing various Hardware Startup job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $50,715 per year, or $24.4 per hour.
Systems Integrator - Full Performance

Systems Integrator - Full Performance

Beyond SOF

Herndon, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Systems Integrator - Full Performance
Summary:
Responsible for maintaining integrity of systems-of-systems by defining requirements architecture (consistent with the Enterprise Architecture (EA), (described in 1.0 above) and interfaces. Plans, implements, tests, documents, and maintains solutions to total systems or subsystems using internally created and/or commercial off-the-shelf products. Provides end-to-end project management support of the life cycle. Provides a total systems perspective including a technical understanding of relationships, dependencies and requirements of hardware and software components. Coordinates with other team members and ensures problem solution, appropriate risk reduction, and user satisfaction. Makes recommendations, if needed, on test and evaluation strategies for major systems' installations.
Duties, Tasks, and Responsibilities
  • Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement. Confer with network users about how to solve existing system problems.
  • Consult customers, visit workplaces or conduct surveys to determine present and future user needs. Coordinate with vendors and with company personnel to facilitate purchases.
  • Design, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and operating system software. Diagnose hardware and software problems, and replace defective components.
  • Ensure coordination and information flow occurs between all programs and organizational managers.
  • Establish functional and technical specifications and standards, solve hardware and software interface problems, define input/output parameters, and ensure integration of the entire systems or subsystem.
  • Estimate software-testing costs and schedule.
  • Gather data pertaining to customer needs, and use the information to identify, predict, interpret, and evaluate system and network requirements.
  • Identify and analyze all or part of a component's existing or new peripheral, network, and telecommunications systems requirements, taking into consideration the special technology needs.
  • Load computer tapes and disks, and install software and printer paper or forms. Maintain an inventory of parts for emergency repairs.
  • Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
  • Maintain logs related to network functions, as well as maintenance and repair records. Manage and update the master schedule.
  • Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments need to be made, and to determine where changes will need to be made in the future.
  • Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks, and to coordinate computer network access and use.
  • Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
  • Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain control records.
  • Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
  • Prepare milestone status reports and deliveries/presentations on the system test and evaluation concept to colleagues, subordinates, and end user representatives.
  • Provide direction to test and evaluation support staff.
  • Provide frequent contact with customers, traceability within program documents, and the overall computing environment and architecture.
  • Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.
  • Research new technology, and implement it or recommend its implementation.
  • Test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, and compatibility with existing system, and make purchase recommendations.
  • Train people in computer system use.
  • Work with other engineers, systems analysts, programmers, technicians, scientists and top-level managers in the design, testing and evaluation of systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Minimum Education
  • General equivalency guidelines for education, certifications, and experience are provided below; however, these guidelines do not immediately qualify someone at a particular level. Skill levels for an individual are based upon a combination of education, training, and experience, e.g. someone may have 20 years of professional experience; however they may only be qualified as Full Performance based upon the expertise needed to perform the work within that category.
  • General professional years of experience may be substituted for specialized years of experience at a ratio of three (3) years of general experience within an occupation for one (1) year of specialized experience.
  • Relevant certifications will be considered equivalent to three (3) months of specialized experience.
  • An Associate's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a scientific or technical discipline related to the specific skill will be considered equivalent to eighteen (18) months specialized experience.
  • A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a scientific or technical discipline related to the specific skill will be considered equivalent to three (3) years specialized experience (total equivalency is not cumulative when combined with an Associate's degree).
  • A Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a scientific or technical discipline related to the specific skill will be considered equivalent to two (2) years specialized experience (up to a total of five (5) years when combined with a Bachelor's).
  • A Doctorate in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or a scientific or technical discipline related to the specific skill will be considered equivalent to two (2) years specialized experience (up to a total of seven (7) years when combined with a Master's and a Bachelor's).

Minimum Experience
Subject Matter Expert (SME):
  • Individual is acknowledged as a SME within the occupation and/or specific skill.
  • Generally someone that is certified with the specific language, system, or technology required.
  • Normally requires at least sixteen (16) years of experience specific to the skill or occupation.
  • However, for specific computer languages, systems or technologies, expertise with the subject matter or technology outweighs the number of years of experience. This is especially true with emerging technologies.
  • SMEs shall be capable of mentoring or training other team members and sharing their expertise within and across contracts, organizational boundaries and with Customers.