Manufacturing engineering - systems

Job Description Systems Engineer, Hardware Programs - Take Advanced RF Hardware from Prototype to Production
Tampa, FL | On-site

Join an early-stage defense technology company developing advanced RF sensing and wireless systems for demanding operational environments. The team designs hardware and software from the ground up and is now moving a new wideband sensing platform from a working prototype toward a production-intent system. This is a hands-on technical leadership role for an engineer who understands complex electronic hardware but also knows how to drive schedules, suppliers, cost, requirements, and execution. You will build the 90-day hardware plan, identify risks early, make practical scope decisions, and establish many of the processes that will support future production.

We are a venture-backed defense technology startup founded by former military operators who experienced firsthand the limitations of existing electronic warfare and sensing systems. The team develops its own electronics, RF hardware, firmware, and software, with systems already being evaluated and deployed by government and defense customers. As the company moves from prototype builds toward repeatable production, we are building the engineering, supplier, and manufacturing foundation needed to scale.

Own the program taking a complex RF sensing system from functional prototype to production-intent hardware
Maintain a live technical and program risk register and drive mitigation before issues affect the critical path
Translate customer and system requirements into verification plans, test results, and clear requirements-to-test traceability
Drive scope decisions when required to protect schedule, cost, or system performance
Own the bill of materials, including component availability, lead times, alternates, lifecycle risk, and second sourcing
Manage long-lead components including RFSoCs, high-speed data converters, RF components, processors, and other constrained electronics
Lead RFQs, vendor evaluation, and supplier selection for PCB fabrication, PCB assembly, enclosures, machining, and other external manufacturing
Manage contract manufacturers and suppliers through prototype, engineering, and pilot builds
Establish clear separation between non-recurring engineering costs and recurring per-unit production costs
Drive cost-down efforts as designs mature and expected production volume increases
Lead DFM and DFT reviews with engineering and manufacturing partners
Build configuration management, engineering change, BOM control, and hardware release processes where processes do not yet exist
Coordinate integration of existing internally developed RF and electronic subsystems
Support regulatory and compliance work including FCC equipment authorization, export classification, and cybersecurity requirements
Serve as a technical point of contact for pilot customers, including site surveys, deployment planning, integration, and installation
Document deferred scope and create a clear follow-on roadmap for features or capabilities removed from the initial production build

7+ years of experience developing complex electronic hardware

• 3+ years leading hardware programs through new product introduction, pilot production, or equivalent product maturation
• Engineering background in electrical engineering, systems engineering, RF engineering, or a closely related discipline
• Previous hands-on experience designing, integrating, troubleshooting, or testing hardware before moving into technical leadership
• Experience delivering at least one hardware product from concept or early prototype through customer testing on an accelerated development schedule
• Strong understanding of complex electronic systems and the ability to work effectively across RF, electrical, mechanical, firmware, and software teams
• Direct experience managing contract manufacturers, PCB fabrication and assembly vendors, and mechanical suppliers
• Experience managing electronic component sourcing and supply-chain risk through shortages or long lead times
• Strong working knowledge of BOM management, configuration control, engineering change processes, and hardware release practices
• Ability to distinguish development cost, tooling, and other one-time engineering expenses from recurring production cost
• Experience driving DFM and DFT activities as hardware transitions toward production
• Ability to make practical engineering tradeoffs and reduce scope without losing sight of the core customer requirement
• Experience with software-defined radios, electronic warfare, SIGINT, RF sensing, wireless communications, or RF test and measurement systems

Familiarity with RFSoCs, high-speed ADCs, RF front ends, or similarly complex mixed-signal electronics
Experience scaling hardware from internal assembly into external contract manufacturing
Familiarity with FCC equipment authorization and related RF regulatory requirements
Experience supporting pilot deployments with defense, public-sector, corrections, critical infrastructure, or institutional customers
Military experience in electronic warfare, signals, cyber, or Special Operations environments
Experience working with government security requirements or facility-clearance processes
PMP, INCOSE certification, or equivalent systems or program management training

Own a critical hardware program from prototype through customer deployment
Work directly with engineers designing custom RF, electronics, firmware, and sensing technology
Help establish the production foundation as the company transitions from prototype development toward larger-scale manufacturing