Staff Hardware Engineer

Job Description & Responsibilities

Design the circuit boards that go inside radios operators trust with their lives

At Persistent Systems, our Wave Relay® MANET technology keeps warfighters, first responders, and critical missions connected in the most contested environments on earth. We're looking for a Hardware Engineer with deep experience in battery-powered, high-speed (GHz) digital circuit design. This role is for someone who wants their boards to end up in the field, not in a reference kit.

You'll design, develop, and prototype the electronic assemblies inside our next-generation radios and the upgrades to our current products. Your work spans concept through DVT, and into direct technical support for manufacturing. This lead engineer will set design direction across a project or small set of related projects and serve as a technical resource for others.

What you'll work on

• Defining system- and circuit-level requirements for next-generation radio products
• Designing circuits, running analysis and simulations, and producing schematics and BOMs
• Identifying all components and equipment needed to support the product design process
• Providing PCB layout guidance and working closely with layout engineers to complete PCB designs
• Interfacing with Mechanical Engineering to meet packaging and thermal constraints
• Establishing hardware and software test environments and infrastructure
• Developing concept prototypes and running DVT to verify system performance
• Providing technical leadership for projects developed by sub-contractors
• Ensuring deliverables meet performance, cost, and reliability targets on schedule
• Providing technical support to manufacturing

The tooling you'll work with

We invest in the tools that move engineers' output. You'll have day-one access to a modern hardware development environment:

• Serious lab infrastructure. Full RF and digital lab: high-bandwidth scopes, spectrum and vector network analyzers, thermal chambers, and the fixtures to characterize what you build.
• Direct hand-off to manufacturing. In-house manufacturing support, so the feedback loop from board bring-up to production issues is fast.

Why hardware engineers choose Persistent Systems

• You own boards from end-to-end. Concept, schematic, layout guidance, bring-up, DVT, and production support, one engineer, one board, real accountability.
• Independent, not a subsidiary. Product direction gets made by the people building the radios, not filtered through a Fortune 500 parent's roadmap review.
• Mission you can point to. Our radios are deployed with U.S. and allied forces, federal agencies, and public safety teams worldwide.

Position Responsibilities

• Architect hardware subsystems spanning multiple products
• Promote technical standards and best practices for the hardware team
• Resolve complex technical challenges across projects
• Partner with product management and adjacent engineering functions on tradeoffs
• Mentor other engineers and contribute to hiring decisions

Job Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• 10-15 years of hardware engineering experience
• Demonstrated ownership of a complex, cross-functional hardware project
• Strong expertise in a core hardware domain (e.g. power, high-speed digital, mixed-signal)
• Developing track record of technical leadership without formal management authority
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of audio/video encoder/decoders and interfaces
• Exposure to Embedded Firmware Development in Assembly, C and/or C++
• Experience in electromagnetic capability (EMC) testing and design
• Knowledge of 802.11 standard and system implementation
• Familiar with switching mode power supply design
• Knowledge of military qualification testing
• Modeling/simulation/development in VHDL
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent task management skills
• Experience with compliance/certification processes
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously

The compensation for this role can vary from $189,000 to $200,000 a year based on the selected individual's education and experience. Persistent Systems, LLC offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid time off; flexible spending accounts; 401(k) plan with company match; fitness membership reimbursement; tuition assistance; mental health benefits; and veterinary benefits. We will accept applications on a rolling basis until the role is filled.

Company Overview

Headquartered in New York City since 2007, Persistent Systems, LLC is a global communications technology company which develops, manufactures, and integrates a patented and secure Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) system: Wave Relay®. The company’s industry leading R&D team has designed wireless networking protocols to support their cutting-edge Wave Relay® system and technology. Wave Relay® is capable of running data, video, voice and other applications under the most difficult and unpredictable conditions. Their suite of products is field proven and utilized in Commercial, Military, Government, Industrial, Agriculture, Robotics, and Unmanned System markets.