FAST Labs Hardware Engineering Lead

Job Description
FAST Labs™ is a world-class research and microelectronics production organization. Our vision, we secure the future through fearless innovation, fuels our curiosity, and propels our teams to take on 'never been done before' challenges. We believe how we work is just as important as what we work on, and we are guided by three key principles: We are one team who embraces the power of learning and collaboration; We innovate for impact; and Our innovation is multidimensional.
Sitting at the heart of BAE Systems Electronic Systems (ES), FAST Labs provides the next generation of technology across ES's defense and commercial portfolios. We seek to turn groundbreaking research and partnerships into real-life impact for our customers, as we develop advanced capabilities in advanced electronics, EW, sensors and processing, AI, autonomy, RF, EO/IR, cyber, and more. We value internal and external partnerships and collaborate across a broad innovation ecosystem that includes DOW and research teams, universities, small businesses, and venture firms/accelerators - all in service of developing advanced technologies to enable our nation's warfighting mission needs.
To help drive even greater impact for our business and our customers, FAST Labs has embarked on a strategy of Mission Campaigning. Mission Campaigning is a holistic mindset and approach to technology/product conceptualization and prioritization. It involves a continuous focus on a definitive path to drive from early science to end-user capability to solve a war fighter problem and deliver a product/capability as quickly as possible to fielding and scaling. Campaigns include the creation of new markets and business models, if necessary to deliver the product/capability. It is similar to what entrepreneurs call a "go to market strategy".
As part of this pivot to Mission Campaigning, FAST Labs Sensing Technologies (ST) is seeking project hardware engineering leads who understand how lead a team of project engineers through the dynamics of research and development (R&D) programs, and transition technology to the business. As a hardware engineering lead, you'll have opportunity to own the engineering technical, cost, and schedule aspects of our projects with the freedom to lead and shape teams consisting of talented electrical, mechanical, optical, as well as firmware engineers and designers. You will lead teams on research, development, and consulting projects requiring deep expertise in hardware engineering principles and practices to achieve project goals.
The FAST Labs Sensing Technologies (ST) product line develops next-generation lasers, precision optical pointers, advanced multi-model (RF & EO/IR) seekers, expendables and underwater sensors. ST has established itself as a market leader in the development of EO/IR, RF and Acoustic technologies applicable to Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force missions.
In this role you will be the senior technical leader on research and development projects within our FAST Labs organization. You will support business capture by contributing to bid and proposal activities, as well as providing hardware-engineering technical-architecture expertise, and driving project-level hardware engineering execution.

• Ensure designs follow best-practice engineering methods
• Provide hardware-engineering input for new-business capture - influence technical baselines, develop cost estimates, identify technical risks, and suggest mitigation strategies
• Serve as the hardware subject-matter expert on proposal teams, helping shape technical scopes and pricing models
• Partner with Product Engineering Management (PEM), and Functional Managers (FMs), to identify, prioritize, and fill staffing requirements on your hardware development projects
• Ensure all hardware R&D activities adhere to an appropriate level or research and development processes and are well matched to the scope of the efforts
• Drive agile process refinements, capture lessons learned, and champion "One-Team" culture across your project

Because of the need for consistent, in-person collaboration and/or the requirement to perform all work onsite due to the nature of this role, it will be performed full-time on site. This means work will be conducted on location at a BAE Systems facility 100% of the time.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline and 10+ years of progressive experience in a related field.
• Active DoW Secret clearance
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in hardware design, including laboratory troubleshooting, technical problem-solving, and field testing.
• 2+ years of experience leading hardware engineering teams on development programs, including responsibility as a Lead Hardware Engineer and Control Account Manager (CAM).
• Experience supporting business development activities, including proposal development and generation of hardware engineering cost and schedule estimates.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and motivate high-performing project technical teams.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly present complex technical information both verbally and in writing.
• Proficient in cross-functional collaboration and customer engagement.
• Commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and thought leadership.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Experience with cutting-edge engineering techniques, including Model-Based Engineering, Agile, and Digital Engineering, to solve complex challenges with efficiency.
• Bring your expertise in one or more of these critical areas:
  • RF Systems: Design and analyze RF front-ends, including antennas, LNAs, mixers, and ADCs.
  • Signal Processing: Master spectrum management, modulation/demodulation, and RF signal characterization.
  • Algorithm Implementation: Translate algorithms into high-performance, low-latency hardware pipelines.
  • Advanced Computing: Leverage heterogeneous computing platforms (GPU, FPGA, ASIC, neuromorphic chips).
  • EO/IR Imaging: Design, integration, and calibrate state-of-the-art EO/IR cameras, hyperspectral imagers, and LiDAR.
  • Optical Engineering: Optomechanical and Electrical architectures, detector physics, radiometry and image quality metrics.
  • Laser Systems: Knowledge of Laser system hardware components, subsystems, building blocks and architectures.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $149603 - $254317
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.