Staff Digital Hardware Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Staff Digital Hardware Engineer

At Hidden Level, we’re building the future of airspace awareness through cutting-edge RF sensing technology. Our mission is to make the world safer—whether it’s protecting troops, securing infrastructure, or enabling smarter cities. We design, manufacture, and deploy advanced sensor systems that deliver real-time insights for defense and commercial applications.

Position Overview:

As we expand, we're looking for a Staff Digital Hardware Engineer with a proven track record of leading complex hardware development efforts and delivering advanced digital systems. This role provides technical leadership across multiple products and programs while driving the architecture, development, integration, and deployment of custom hardware and FPGA-based solutions supporting next-generation sensor and communication systems.

Location:

This position is located in the Syracuse, NY office with the potential for hybrid arrangements.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the architecture, design, and lifecycle support of digital hardware products and subsystems

• Collaborate across engineering disciplines to define requirements, develop technical solutions, and deliver product capabilities

• Serve as a technical leader and mentor, providing guidance on hardware architectures, FPGA development, verification, and design practices

• Architect custom multi-layer PCB and FPGA-based solutions utilizing modern Xilinx FPGA and SoC platforms including Ultrascale+ and RFSoC devices

• Lead technical reviews and provide design oversight across multiple programs

• Identify technical risks, integration challenges, and performance limitations, developing solutions that improve capability, reliability, manufacturability, and scalability

• Design and implement solutions supporting data acquisition, digital signal processing, command and control, external hardware interfaces, and high-speed communication protocols

• Drive adoption of new technologies, tools, and development methodologies that improve engineering efficiency and product quality

• Perform hardware, FPGA, subsystem, and system-level integration, verification, and validation activities

• Support customer engagements, proposal efforts, and long-term technology roadmap planning

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven track record of leading complex technical projects and influencing engineering direction

• Strong system-level thinking and architectural decision-making skills

• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration abilities

• Commitment to continuous learning and technical excellence

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

• 10+ years of related professional experience

• Extensive experience designing digital and mixed-signal hardware including FPGAs, SoCs, microcontrollers, memory interfaces, and high-speed data converters

• Strong experience developing FPGA-based solutions using VHDL and/or Verilog

• Experience with modern Xilinx FPGA technologies and Vivado design tools

• Applied experience testing and validating analog and digital hardware using oscilloscopes, network analyzers, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and related laboratory equipment

• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership, design oversight, and engineering mentorship

• Ability to travel 10%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Altium Designer

• Experience with Communication and Sensor Systems, Digital Signal Processing, Software Defined Radios, and RF System Design

• Experience with MATLAB, Python, Bash, and Linux

• Experience supporting product transition to manufacturing

• Experience contributing to technology roadmaps and product strategy

Compensation and Benefits: Hidden Level offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid parental leave, flexible time off, 401(k) with employer contributions, life insurance, disability insurance, and potential stock options.

Salary Range: The salary range for this position is estimated at $134,000 to $174,000 annually. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Hidden Level considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Hidden Level is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Security Note: Due to the nature of Hidden Level’s technology, only U.S. citizens can be considered for this position. Hidden Level Employees must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance, if required for the position. Please click here to review the National Security Clearance Adjudicative Guidelines.