Hardware Design Engineer (HDE) – Skill Level 3

Kaizen Approach is currently seeking a Hardware Design Engineer to design and test new integrated circuits and hardware components supporting a wide variety of signal processing applications and research efforts. In this role, you’ll design, document, and develop code, including firmware, for digital signal processors and other programmable hardware devices such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). You’ll analyze the functionality of existing integrated circuits and hardware components to support reverse engineering of both hardware and associated firmware. This position involves performing hardware engineering and related functions to modify and adapt vendor-manufactured hardware to meet specialized Government requirements and contingency needs.

Requirements:

• Must have the ability to assist with, design, and lead the design of new products and processes, as well as improve and maintain existing products throughout their lifecycle.

• Must possess the ability to conduct design analysis on components and assemblies to support development efforts by ensuring designs are cost efficient, manufacturable, and reliable.

• Must be capable of communicating and coordinating with other engineering personnel to manage interrelated design efforts, assure project completion, direct and check the work of other hardware design engineers, and provide technical leadership to less experienced engineers.

• Must have the ability to apply ASIC or FPGA place and route (P&R) tools with various libraries to create physical implementations of designs and support hardware realization.

• Must possess the ability to develop, maintain, and document place and route (P&R) design flows, including integrating new P&R tools, tool updates, and ASIC or FPGA design libraries into the Government’s computer-aided design environment, and assisting other physical designers with their P&R design tasks.

• Must be capable of working with tool and library vendors to develop solutions for designers’ place and route (P&R) design challenges and acting as an internal consultant providing technical guidance on the most complex projects.

• Must have the ability to assist with, perform, oversee, and improve the de-processing of electronic components; retrieve stored firmware or software using approved reverse engineering procedures; and develop novel reverse engineering procedures for new component types.

• Must have twelve (12) years of experience as a Hardware Design Engineer (HDE) in integrated circuit or microelectronic component design or reverse engineering of the same.

• Must have a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering from an accredited college or university, OR seventeen (17) years of hardware design engineering experience in lieu of a degree.

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph is required.

Salary Range:

A variety of factors can impact the final salary offered, including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and wage rates, relevant work experience, specialized skills and competencies, education, and certifications.

About Kaizen Approach

At Kaizen Approach, we truly care about our team, offering flexibility for a balanced life, competitive compensation, and a robust benefits package that supports you and your family. We prioritize well-being with premium healthcare, financial and family support, retirement planning, and ongoing learning. With 4 weeks of PTO, 11 holidays, gifted 401k, profit sharing, and paid training, we’re committed to your growth and happiness — both at work and beyond.

Kaizen Approach is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.