Lead Hardware Engineer

General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc•Pittsfield, MA

2d•$142,696 - $158,303•Onsite

About The Position

As the Electrical Hardware Design Lead, you and your team will be responsible for guiding multiple electrical subsystems and their components from concept to final installation in a program that introduces new, innovative capabilities into an existing system. Your technical expertise will drive the team through architecture and requirements discussions, hardware component selection and design — including PCB, FPGA, and network infrastructure components — design verification, qualification testing, and full integration across electrical, systems, and mechanical disciplines, all while adhering to schedule and budget constraints. Your ability to effectively communicate with other disciplines and program management will facilitate an iterative, risk-based approach to developing secure, high-performance technical solutions in a defense environment. We are looking for a candidate who is ahead of technology trends with R&D experience and advanced proficiency in test, troubleshooting, and analyzing circuit card schematics within networked and cyber-resilient environments. Electrical hardware design is at the core of this role, and you bring a demonstrated ability to bridge electrical design with systems-level requirements and mechanical integration constraints across complex, multi-discipline programs. You are motivated to drive innovation around design architectures, assembly, component selection, and electronics design with an emphasis on secure, scalable hardware solutions. You bring exceptional collaboration and communication skills with demonstrated success leading a team of 5-7 engineers across complex, concurrent electrical hardware projects, and you are a team player committed to ongoing professional development for yourself and others. A foundational understanding of networking and cybersecurity principles as they relate to hardware — including familiarity with encryption algorithms, secure boot, and trusted platform architectures — is preferred, but deep expertise across all areas is not required. You also identify opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation. At General Dynamics Mission Systems, we are committed to providing an exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development. You will perform research-oriented work alongside award-winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation's security, delivering innovative, mission-critical capabilities that make a real difference. This role offers the opportunity to work on programs that directly support national defense, alongside multidisciplinary teams in a secure and dynamic environment that values innovation, cross-discipline collaboration, and the application of emerging technologies. General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree plus a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience.
Department of Defense Secret security clearance is obtainable within a reasonable amount of time after hire.
Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Advanced proficiency in test, troubleshooting, and analyzing circuit card schematics within networked and cyber-resilient environments.
Demonstrated ability to bridge electrical design with systems-level requirements and mechanical integration constraints across complex, multi-discipline programs.
Exceptional collaboration and communication skills.
Demonstrated success leading a team of 5-7 engineers across complex, concurrent electrical hardware projects.
Team player committed to ongoing professional development for yourself and others.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with encryption algorithms, secure boot, and trusted platform architectures.

Responsibilities

Guiding multiple electrical subsystems and their components from concept to final installation.
Driving the team through architecture and requirements discussions.
Hardware component selection and design, including PCB, FPGA, and network infrastructure components.
Design verification and qualification testing.
Full integration across electrical, systems, and mechanical disciplines.
Adhering to schedule and budget constraints.
Communicating effectively with other disciplines and program management.
Developing secure, high-performance technical solutions in a defense environment.
Bridging electrical design with systems-level requirements and mechanical integration constraints.
Driving innovation around design architectures, assembly, component selection, and electronics design.
Leading a team of 5-7 engineers across complex, concurrent electrical hardware projects.
Identifying opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation.