Engineering Leader (Hardware-Focused)

Job Description

Job Description

About Performance Software

Performance Software is a leading provider of safety-critical engineering services supporting the aerospace, defense, and mission-critical industries. We deliver high-impact solutions across complex hardware and software programs, partnering closely with our customers to solve challenging technical problems while consistently meeting cost, schedule, and quality commitments.

Role Overview

We’re seeking an Engineering Leader with a strong hardware background and software awareness to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across avionics and embedded systems programs. This role blends people leadership, program execution, and customer engagement , with a focus on delivering high-reliability hardware solutions while integrating closely with software teams. You’ll play a key role in building teams, driving technical execution, and supporting business growth with strategic customers.

Key Responsibilities

People Leadership

• Recruit, mentor, and lead hardware and embedded engineering teams
• Build a strong team culture and maintain high engagement
• Align work to individual strengths and optimize utilization

Program Execution (Hardware-Focused)

• Lead delivery of hardware-centric programs (schedule, cost, quality)
• Own planning and execution across design, testing, verification, and integration
• Manage program plans, risks, metrics, and customer reporting
• Drive resolution of technical roadblocks across hardware/software interfaces
• Support full lifecycle development including requirements, design, lab integration, and validation
• Partner closely with software teams to ensure seamless system performance

Customer & Business Growth

• Build strong relationships with customer technical stakeholders
• Identify and pursue new hardware and system-level opportunities
• Support ROMs, proposals, and technical solution development
• Partner with account leadership to align on strategy and growth

Qualifications

• Experience leading engineering teams in aerospace, defense, or safety-critical environments
• Strong background in hardware design and development (e.g., embedded systems, FPGA, digital/analog design, or avionics hardware)
• Working knowledge of software integration in embedded or real-time systems
• Experience managing full lifecycle development (requirements through verification/validation)
• Strong program management experience (FP and/or T&M)
• Proven customer-facing experience with excellent communication skills
• Experience supporting proposals, estimates, and technical strategy
• Ability to balance leadership, technical depth, and business objectives

About Performance:

Performance Software is engaged in the design of Real-time Embedded Software and Hardware. This includes Avionics and Space Exploration applications such as Synthetic Vision Cockpit Displays, Flight Management System Guidance and Navigation, Platforms, Submarine Control Panels and Datalink Applications. Our customers are both Commercial and Defense-related avionics and rocketry suppliers/manufacturers. Performance Software has been in business since 1998; we were awarded INC Magazine 5000 Fastest Growing Companies and Best Places to Work for multiple years.

Why Performance?

Our foundation was built by implementing the characteristics from large companies that we liked and eliminating the characteristics that we did not. Without the archaic practices from larger organizations, we fully embrace the culture of clear accountability, a positive attitude, transparency between every department, and productivity over the clock. This builds trust between management and employee’s, which provides us with our greatest strengths as an organization, flexibility, and work life balance.

To learn more about Performance Software:

Performance Software is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please discuss this with your recruiter if you are selected for an interview.