Hardware Integration Engineer - Recon Works

NODA AI•Washington, DC

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

As Hardware Integration Engineer on NODA Recon Works, you turn concepts into working hardware. You design prototype parts in CAD, integrate mechanical, electrical, and compute subsystems onto unmanned vehicles, and test prototypes in the lab and field until they work or the team learns why they cannot. This is a hands-on mechanical engineering and hardware integration role centered on bench work and field testing. You work with a technical program manager, multidisciplinary engineer, and mission analyst. The role is based in Washington, DC, with a hybrid on-site arrangement and 25% travel. NODA is a veteran-owned, venture-backed defense technology company building an orchestration layer for autonomous unmanned systems. NODA Recon Works scouts, analyzes, prototypes, and delivers de-risked technologies for integration into NODA products or development into new products. The work is fast-paced and may involve uncertain requirements, imaginative problem-solving, and prototypes whose path to production is uncertain. The position requires U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance. It is subject to U.S. government export control regulations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, mechatronics, or a related engineering field.
At least 3 years of hands-on hardware development, integration, or test experience.
Proficiency with a parametric CAD tool such as SolidWorks, Onshape, NX, or Creo, and experience designing for rapid fabrication, including additive manufacturing, CNC, or sheet metal.
Hands-on electromechanical integration experience, including wiring harnesses, connectors, and power distribution, as well as debugging with multimeters, oscilloscopes, or similar tools.
Experience writing test plans, conducting hardware tests, and turning test data into design changes.
Comfort with shop tools and fabrication, and with working outdoors in field-test conditions.
U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience building or testing unmanned systems (UAS, UGV, USV, or UUV).
Familiarity with autonomy hardware such as PX4 or ArduPilot autopilots, embedded compute such as NVIDIA Jetson, EO/IR, lidar or radar sensors, and tactical radios.
Python or similar scripting experience for data acquisition and test analysis.
Environmental or qualification testing experience, such as MIL-STD-810 or MIL-STD-461.
FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate.
Existing Secret or higher security clearance.

Responsibilities

Plan and conduct bench, lab, and field tests of prototype systems; write test plans, instrument hardware, collect and analyze data, and use results to drive design changes.
Integrate subsystems from multiple sources—including sensors, payloads, compute, power, communications, and propulsion—onto air, sea, and land platforms, including wiring harnesses, connectors, and power distribution.
Design prototype parts and assemblies in CAD for rapid fabrication by 3D printing, machining, or sheet metal, ranging from brackets and enclosures to complete payload mounts.
Document designs, interfaces, and test results so de-risked prototypes can be handed off cleanly to NODA product and engineering teams.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
Equity grants for new hires.
Unlimited PTO.
11 paid holidays and a company holiday calendar that includes a holiday hiatus in November and December.
Generous parental leave.
Military leave for annual training or service requirements.
FSA, DCFSA, and HSA.
Professional development opportunities.
Access to One Medical.
Free mental health resources available 24/7, including therapy, plus work-life services such as free legal and financial support.
Competitive salary and opportunities for career growth.