Hardware Engineering Lead

Job Description
Thank you for your interest in BAE Systems! This opening is included as part of our September 2026 Defense Electronics Engineering Hiring Event. While we encourage all interested professionals to apply, please note that this is a selection-based interview event for candidates whose skills and experience match our hiring needs. If your background and skill set match these needs, we will reach out with next steps. If selected for an interview, specific opportunities based on your interests, experience, and skill set will be discussed with the hiring team. For candidates not local to the northern New Jersey area, virtual interviews will be accommodated.
At BAE Systems, our employees work on the world's most advanced electronics - from saving emissions in the City of Lights to powering the Mars Rover to protecting the F- 35 fighter jet. At Electronic Systems, you'll be among the brightest minds, working on the aerospace and defense industry's most difficult problems. Drawing strength from our differences, we're innovating for the future. And you can, too.
Our flexible work environment provides you a chance to change the world without giving up your personal life.
We put our customers first - exemplified by our missions: "We Protect Those Who Protect Us®" and "We Innovate For Those Who Move The World™." Sound like a team you want to be a part of? Come build your career with BAE Systems.
In Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Systems, you'll help develop systems that sense, control, exploit and disseminate actionable information to warfighters supporting a variety of missions.
BAE Systems is seeking a Lead Hardware Engineer to provide design expertise and leadership within our emerging and development programs. Our team creates innovative technologies and solutions that provide our military and commercial customers an edge, and we seek strong technical engineers with passion and integrity, the ability to solve complex problems, and an interest in making a significant impact.
The duties assigned to this engineering position will include the following:

• Leading multi-discipline hardware teams through hardware engineering design and development
• Employing your expertise, decision skills, and independent judgment in technical areas
• Leading Design Review activities to achieve program success
• Communicating essential information and coordinating with engineering disciplines, Procurement, Operations, and Program Management
• Developing program schedules, earned value criteria, and productivity metrics for efficient performance
• Ensuring the established Hardware Development Process is implemented successfully
• Supporting important program capture and proposal teams with hardware baselines that include development and cost/scheduling estimating
• Working with Discipline Section Leads to determine program staffing needs and "right person/right job"

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• BSEE with 6+ years engineering experience or MSEE with 4+ years engineering experience, with 2 years commensurate experience leading engineering teams.
• Experienced in Hardware Engineering Leadership of multidiscipline teams, combined with an Electrical Engineering background focused on Digital Design, Circuit Card Assembly Design, or FPGA Design.
• Possesses technical leadership practices to lead team of disciplines which include Electrical (EE), Firmware (EE)
• Proven experience in developing, implementing, and monitoring project schedules, budgets, and productivity metrics to ensure efficient team performance
• Earned Value Management or Cost Account Management Experience
• Proven experience in implementing established Hardware Engineering design processes to achieve product quality and consistency
• Possesses sound interpersonal communication skills involving interfacing with company personnel, customers, and suppliers
• Experience supporting new business capture and proposal teams with development of hardware engineering cost/schedule estimates (Basis of Estimate / BOE Generation)
• Capable of exercising independent discretion and judgment in the performance of engineering duties
• Ability to prepare appropriate reports, documents, and presentations for internal/external distribution
• Ability to develop and implement design solutions, processes, and systems within budget and schedule requirements and lead others to closure
• Eligible to obtain a DOD Security Clearance

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Active Secret Clearance
• Designing to cost (DTUPC) constraints
• Designing for manufacturability
• Electronics troubleshooting experience
• Experience developing compact embedded systems for harsh environments
• Experience with requirements development
• Familiarity with AS9145 compliant processes
• Experience with Electronic Warfare systems, radar systems

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $128831 - $219012
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, Inc.
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.