Principal Systems Architect, Communications Hardware (Remote Eligible | Relocation Assistance Available)

Role overview A mission-driven technology organization building modern emergency-response infrastructure is hiring a Principal Hardware Systems Architect to define the technical standards and architecture for next-generation, mission-critical hardware. This is a founding leadership role on the hardware team, partnering across electrical, RF, software, and mechanical disciplines to take compact, connected, battery-powered devices from concept through mass production. The position offers remote eligibility with relocation support available.

Responsibilities - Define and own system architecture across electrical, RF, mechanical, thermal, and power domains, producing block diagrams and interaction models that guide implementation - Analyze power, thermal, and computational budget constraints and resolve competing tradeoffs between antenna performance, enclosure design, and power delivery - Author testable system requirements, manage traceability from product requirements through verification and validation, and review requirements for next-generation devices - Lead cross-discipline design reviews, build stakeholder buy-in, and provide technical direction to engineering leads - Own the system-level verification and validation strategy, performing risk analysis and mitigation to catch integration issues before certification and production - Partner with ODM/JDM and manufacturing teams on design-for-manufacturing, engineering builds, and production readiness, and own the certification strategy across U.S. and international standards

Requirements - 10+ years of hardware engineering experience with deep expertise in at least two of electrical, RF, or mechanical engineering and strong working knowledge of the third - Proven track record owning system architecture and cross-disciplinary technical decisions for complex, integrated hardware - Experience taking compact, connected, battery-powered devices from concept through mass production, including EVT/DVT/PVT and manufacturing ramp - Deep knowledge of RF/antenna integration, power architecture, thermal management, EMI/EMC, shielding, enclosure design, and mechanical tolerances - Experience developing system requirements and validation plans, with familiarity across U.S. and international hardware certification requirements - Experience working with ODM/JDM or contract manufacturing partners and with tools such as Altium/Cadence, SolidWorks/Creo/NX, RF and electrical test equipment, and PLM/BOM or requirements-management systems

Nice to have - Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex engineering tradeoffs into clear decisions for program and executive leadership - Comfort operating as a founding leader, setting engineering processes and technical standards for a growing hardware team

Benefits and work setup - Remote-eligible position with relocation assistance available - Mission-driven environment focused on public safety outcomes - Some roles may require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment