Director Of Hardware And Production Engineering

OverviewDirector of Hardware and Production Engineering (Lead) — Location: DFW (Hybrid option). Clearance Required: Must be US Citizen and ability to obtain DOD Secret. Nice to have a Secret or higher already.We are seeking an experienced Director of Hardware and Production Engineering to lead our hardware development teams and establish world-class production capabilities. This executive-level role will drive the transition from R&D prototypes to high-volume manufacturing of revolutionary GaN AESA radar systems. The ideal candidate is passionate about scaling complex RF systems from concept to production while maintaining cost-effectiveness and reliability.You will lead a multidisciplinary team of 15-25 engineers and report directly to the Chief Technology Officer as a member of the executive leadership team. Your work will directly impact the company's ability to deliver advanced aerospace radar solutions at scale, supporting critical applications in defense, autonomous vehicles, and weather monitoring.This role offers the unique opportunity to build production capabilities from the ground up in the rapidly growing radar technology sector. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced startup environments, has a proven track record of bringing complex RF products to market, and is excited about the challenge of democratizing advanced aerospace radar solutions through scalable manufacturing processes.Duties and ResponsibilitiesLead and mentor multidisciplinary hardware engineering teams (15-25 engineers)Develop and execute hardware roadmaps aligned with company growth objectivesDrive transition from prototype systems to production-ready radar platformsEstablish production scalability strategies for multi-mission radar systemsOversee design and development of GaN AESA front-end systems and T/R modulesLead hardware integration of digital beamforming systems with supercomputing backendsManage development of 32-channel baseband processing hardware architecturesEstablish and scale production processes for high-power GaN radar systemsDevelop supply chain strategies for critical RF components and GaN semiconductorsImplement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement processesManage relationships with contract manufacturers and key suppliersDrive cost reduction initiatives while maintaining product qualityEnsure thermal management solutions for high-power density GaN systemsLead design reviews and technical risk assessmentsPartner with executive team on technology strategy and business development initiativesRequired Experience/SkillsExperience bringing complex RF products from prototype to production (radar, wireless telecom, EW, SIGINT)Proven ability to transition from TRL-7 to TRL-8 and establish repeatable, scalable productionExperience managing BOM, suppliers, assembly, and testing processesBackground collaborating with in-house engineering teams (RF, MechE, software, EE CCAs, power & cooling)Experience delivering to MILSPEC hardening requirements (temp, shock, vibe, EMP)Experience setting up industrial spaces with production benches, assembly, and test benchesLocal to Dallas area with familiarity of DFW PCB fabricators, mechanical machine shops, and vendors12+ years of hardware engineering experience with 5+ years in leadership rolesProven track record of scaling hardware teams and production operationsDeep understanding of RF/microwave circuit design and AESA technologyExperience with GaN power amplifiers and high-frequency system integrationKnowledge of production testing methodologies for RF systemsExperience with P&L responsibility and budget managementUnderstanding of quality systems (ISO 9001, AS9100) and six-sigma methodologiesNice-to-HavesPh.D. in Engineering with focus on RF systems or production engineeringExperience with defense contractor operations and security clearance processesBackground in automotive radar or autonomous vehicle sensor systemsKnowledge of AI/ML applications in manufacturing and quality controlExperience with agile hardware development methodologiesInternational manufacturing and supply chain experiencePrevious startup or high-growth company experienceMBA or advanced business degreeEducationMaster's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field requiredProfessional certifications in project management (PMP) or operations preferredEmployment detailsLocation: Dallas/Fort Worth area (DFW) with hybrid optionEmployment type: Full-timeIndustry: IT Services and IT Consulting #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-10-06