Director Of Hardware Engineering

Director of Hardware Engineering

Join an innovative startup in Seattle, WA, at the forefront of Geospatial Intelligence. Our technology focuses on scalable electronically-steered radar for sophisticated spaceborne applications such as earth observation using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) techniques and advanced defense missions. As the Director of Hardware Engineering, you will lead the design, development, qualification, and deployment of our scalable radar systems for advanced spaceborne ISR missions.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the definition of hardware system architecture for electronically-steered radar subsystems, including antennas, RF front-ends, power electronics, high-speed digital and mixed-signal electronics, and embedded processing hardware.
• Direct full product lifecycle execution, from requirements and architecture to detailed design, prototype build, environmental qualification, manufacturing introduction, and spacecraft integration.
• Recruit, hire, manage, and mentor cross-disciplinary engineering teams, fostering a culture of ownership and innovation.
• Collaborate closely with system engineering, software/firmware, and operations to ensure coherent hardware-software interaction and robust performance.
• Own hardware verification and validation and technology readiness level advancement strategy, including signal/power integrity analysis and environmental testing.
• Work with the Program Management Office to manage schedules, budgets, risk mitigation, and resource plans.
• Drive manufacturability, cost efficiency, and quality through Design for Excellence principles and new product introduction hand-off.
• Engage with customers, suppliers, and subcontractors throughout the product development life cycle.

Essential Skills:

• BS/MS or PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent discipline.
• Eligibility to obtain and hold a US DoD security clearance (TS with SCI).
• 4-5+ years of leadership experience in engineering teams across hardware disciplines.
• Experience developing mission-critical hardware for space and/or defense environments.
• Technical depth in RF/Microwave, Antenna systems, Radar, high-speed digital and mixed-signal electronics, and power electronics.
• Experience with PCB design, EMI/EMC practices, and mechanical/thermal packaging for high-reliability hardware.
• Proven success in qualifying hardware for environmental and radiation conditions and supporting spacecraft/field deployments.
• Understanding of program planning, budget control, schedule execution, and risk management.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present to leadership.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience with electronically-steered or phased-array radar systems.
• Familiarity with space-qualified component engineering and radiation-tolerant design trade-offs.
• Experience in defense contracting environments or ISR/target-tracking radar missions.
• Exposure to hardware manufacturing scaling and lean development practices.
• Experience collaborating across global supply chains and managing subcontractors.

Work Environment:

Work from our office in Seattle, WA, in a startup environment focused on innovative spaceborne technologies in Low Earth Orbit.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Permanent position based out of Seattle, WA.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $198,000.00 - $242,000.00/yr. Base Salary + Equity Options: Choose the mix that fits your priorities—higher base salary with lower equity or lower salary with higher equity for greater long-term upside. Ownership Opportunity: Equity grants give you a stake in Kapta Space's growth and success as we scale in the geospatial intelligence market. Relocation Assistance: Negotiable during compensation call with CEO to support candidates moving to the Seattle area.

Workplace Type:

This is a fully onsite position in Seattle, WA.

Application Deadline:

This position is anticipated to close on Dec 30, 2025.