Director of Hardware Engineering

Title: Director of Engineering - Hardware Systems
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Job Type: FTE/Permanent

About the Role:
We are seeking an accomplished Engineering Director to lead a large-scale Hardware Engineering organization supporting broadband communication systems. This leader will oversee a team of 160+ engineers and managers, ensuring effective execution of engineering strategy, innovation, and delivery across the sector's program and product portfolio. Reporting to the sector's Vice President of Engineering, this individual will play a pivotal role in shaping engineering culture, driving executional excellence, and aligning technical delivery with broader business strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and implement engineering vision, strategy, and execution plans to build a world-class technical organization.
• Lead hardware engineering support across programs, including team allocation, lab resources, and tool management.
• Monitor and adjust resource levels and skills alignment to meet evolving business and technical needs.
• Ensure engineering performance across technical, cost, and schedule objectives for all projects and pursuits.
• Guide proposal reviews, program execution, and key technical decisions across the product lifecycle.
• Foster professional growth, mentorship, and talent development across the engineering and leadership teams.
• Create a culture of innovation and execution, driving alignment with product roadmaps and sector goals.
• Influence and approve technical strategy and architecture for current and future system designs.
• Oversee technical training, capability development, and advancement of internal expertise through continuous education and industry engagement.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders in business development, program management, and other engineering functions to ensure strategic and executional alignment.
• Contribute to new business opportunities by providing technical leadership, customer engagement, and internal collaboration.
• Manage engineering execution for all program and IRAD activities under the hardware scope.
• Ensure optimal resource utilization, engineering cost efficiency, and performance to operational goals.
• Provide approval of technical solutions, schedules, and cost estimates for proposals and active projects.
• Deliver compelling briefings and updates to senior leadership and stakeholders on program health, risks, and innovations.

Required Experience & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Electrical or Mechanical preferred) with 15+ years of relevant experience.
• Master's Degree with 13+ years of experience OR 19+ years of related experience in lieu of a degree.
• Proven experience managing large, multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Demonstrated leadership in engineering execution across complex programs and technical domains.
• Hands-on experience with hardware engineering disciplines such as RF systems, antenna design, mechanical systems, and PCB development.
• Experience leading technical execution in communications systems, including line-of-sight and satellite applications.
• Strong understanding of engineering resource planning, performance tracking, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to translate vision into execution through prioritization, communication, and organizational alignment.
• Expertise in project management, risk assessment, and stakeholder engagement.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Advanced degree in Engineering or Business/Technical Management.
• Previous experience in Defense, Aerospace, or Government contracting environments.
• Experience leading hardware teams through the entire product lifecycle, including development, test, and production.
• Proficiency in Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) and data-driven performance tracking.
• Expertise in embedded systems, analog/digital hardware, and cross-disciplinary engineering leadership.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster a collaborative and innovative culture.
• Experience managing engineering across matrixed environments and multiple management layers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities; confident in presenting to executive and technical stakeholders.

Technical Focus Areas:

• Antenna design and RF systems
• PCB design and layout
• Mechanical and electrical CAD
• Wireless communications systems (line-of-sight and satellite)
• Embedded systems and analog/digital hardware design