Principal Hardware Engineer

DraftKings Inc.•Boston, MA

1d•$185,400 - $231,800

About The Position

At DraftKings, AI is becoming an integral part of both our present and future, powering how work gets done today, guiding smarter decisions, and sparking bold ideas. It’s transforming how we enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and unlock new possibilities. Our teams are energized by innovation and readily embrace emerging technology. We’re not waiting for the future to arrive. We’re shaping it, one bold step at a time. To those who see AI as a driver of progress, come build the future together. The Crown Is Yours As a Principal Hardware Systems Engineer, you’ll define and scale the hardware and automation systems that power high-volume fulfillment operations. You’ll lead the technical architecture behind complex electromechanical platforms, partnering across Software Engineering, Product, Operations, and external vendors to deliver reliable, production-ready systems at scale. In this role, you’ll drive the integration of hardware and software across mission-critical automation workflows while shaping long-term platform strategy, standardization, and system performance. You’ll play a key role in solving complex operational challenges and advancing the next generation of fulfillment automation infrastructure.

Requirements

At least 10 years of experience working with electromechanical systems, industrial automation, robotics, embedded systems, or related technologies.
Deep cross-disciplinary engineering expertise spanning mechanical, electrical, controls, and embedded systems, with the ability to troubleshoot complex system-level issues.
Experience working with motion control systems, sensors, motor drives, PLCs, and industrial communication protocols such as RS-232/485, Modbus, or EtherNet/IP.
Strong understanding of hardware and software integration concepts, including APIs, control flows, telemetry systems, diagnostics, and production monitoring.
Experience reviewing and validating electrical schematics, mechanical assemblies, bills of materials, firmware behavior, and production test results.
Strong knowledge of reliability engineering principles, production-quality systems, and common electromechanical failure modes in operational environments.
Experience overseeing external vendors, contract manufacturers, or system integrators through technical execution, validation, and deployment.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to clearly present technical risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations across teams and leadership.

Responsibilities

Define end-to-end architecture for hardware and automation systems across fulfillment and operational workflows.
Lead technical decision-making across electromechanical systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, maintainability, and production readiness.
Partner with external vendors, contractors, and system integrators to guide development, review technical designs, and validate delivery quality.
Translate operational and product requirements into technical specifications, validation plans, test procedures, and system acceptance criteria.
Drive reliability and observability initiatives across production systems, including telemetry, diagnostics, root cause analysis, and performance optimization.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Software Engineering, Product, and Operations teams to support seamless hardware and software integrations.
Review and evaluate electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, firmware behavior, production test data, and system-level performance metrics.
Shape the long-term technical strategy for automation initiatives, including standardized hardware platforms, integration frameworks, and deployment best practices.