Senior R&D Engineer, Product Management & Design

Job Description & Responsibilities

Persistent Systems is seeking a highly experienced Senior R&D Engineer to support our Product Design and Management initiatives. The ideal candidate will be responsible for leading feasibility studies, conducting market research, and implementing R&D strategies aimed at enhancing our next generation of products. This role requires a strong technical background, an aptitude for staying current with emerging technologies, and the ability to guide cross-functional teams to achieve strategic objectives both internally and with external partners.

In addition, the ideal candidate will bring a robust laboratory background with proven hands-on experience, complemented by expertise in embedded firmware development and system design execution from architecture to layout and fabrication release.

Position Responsibilities

Define and Execute Product Roadmaps

• Research emerging technologies and standards to identify new markets and shape product solutions and strategic roadmaps
• Lead feasibility studies and prototype emulation systems, collaborating with sales and marketing at tradeshows to capture evolving customer requirements
• Continuously refine and prioritize the roadmap by integrating market feedback, technical feasibility assessments, and ROI analyses

Product Management

• Oversee engineering initiatives including new product development, modifications, and customer integrations by coordinating project schedules, changing management processes, and procurement activities
• Develop and update technical documentation (quality manuals, requirements specifications, and design drawings) to ensure compliance and enable smooth production transitions
• Establish and monitor performance metrics (KPIs) to evaluate project success, identify improvement areas, and drive continuous process optimization

Cross-Functional Support

• Facilitate technical meetings with design teams and contractors to resolve cross-functional challenges
• Coordinate internal and external debug lab efforts to isolate root causes of failures and implement effective solutions
• Implement structured escalation and tracking systems to ensure timely resolution of interdepartmental issues and maintain alignment across teams

Mentorship

• Provide continuous technical coaching and guidance to junior staff throughout the project lifecycle
• Develop standardized templates and processes to enhance training efficacy and scalability
• Organize regular technical workshops and peer review sessions to foster knowledge sharing and support professional growth

Job Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 12 years of technical experience in engineering roles
• Proven track record of cross-functional leadership and team management skills, with the ability to dynamically lead internal and external resources from feasibility studies to market release
• Capable of troubleshooting complex, cross-disciplinary issues in fast-paced environments and delivering results within tight deadlines
• Excellent task management skills, with familiarity in task management flow tools and the capacity to manage both micro and macro project stages effectively
• Proven experience in risk analysis and delivering progress reports for both internal and customer-facing communications
• Strong foundational engineering knowledge and debugging capabilities, with exposure to system design and various technologies such as Ethernet, USB, PCIe, and Wireless
• Experienced in software development, drivers, and automation
• Experience with schematic and layout hardware system design tools
• Must have the ability to obtain a United States security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Laboratory experience with a focus on functional and characterization testing on Ethernet, PCIe, and USB, including experience with laboratory equipment used in debugging environments such as oscilloscopes, analyzers, VNAs, and BERTs
• Experience with embedded firmware development in C and/or C++
• Demonstrated expertise in delivering PCB system design from concept to fabrication release

Total compensation for this role can vary from $160,000 to $200,000 a year based on individual qualifications. Eligibility for yearly discretionary bonus. Persistent Systems, LLC offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid time off (sick time and vacation time); flexible spending accounts; 401(k) plan with company match; fitness membership reimbursement; tuition assistance; mental health benefits; and pet discounts.

Company Overview

Persistent Systems, LLC is a leading global provider of mobile networking solutions for military, first responder, government, and commercial markets. We engineer our Wave Relay MANET and Cloud Relay technology to transmit voice, video, and situational awareness under the most difficult conditions. Through the Wave Relay Ecosystem, an alliance of industry-leading companies, Persistent unites warfighters, UGVs, UAVs, sensors, cameras, and devices on a common network. Persistent was founded in 2007 and has offices in New York City, Colorado, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Wyoming.