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Northwood Space is a modern space infrastructure company building a global network of phased array ground stations for satellite communications, national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. The company designs, builds, and rapidly deploys vertically integrated systems with real-world impact.
As Lead Hardware Development Engineer, you will own the technical development and execution of Northwood's antenna systems from early architecture through design, integration, manufacturing, and deployment. This role combines deep individual-contributor expertise with cross-functional product leadership.
You will translate product, customer, and mission objectives into clear system requirements, technical architectures, performance budgets, and verification strategies. You will coordinate development across mechanical, electrical, RF, antenna, embedded software, thermal, manufacturing, test, supply chain, and field operations teams. You will build and manage development schedules, identify critical-path dependencies, and drive risk-mitigation plans.
Key responsibilities include leading system-level trade studies across antenna performance, structural design, power, thermal behavior, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and deployment speed. You will drive prototype builds, system integration, test campaigns, root-cause investigations, and production-readiness reviews. You will contribute directly to design, analysis, prototyping, and troubleshooting within your primary engineering discipline, and provide clear updates to engineering leadership on progress, risks, and resource needs.
Required: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, RF, or Systems Engineering. 3-5+ years developing complex hardware, antenna systems, RF products, or aerospace systems. Deep expertise in at least one discipline (mechanical design, electrical hardware, RF hardware, antenna engineering, embedded systems, or systems integration). Demonstrated experience owning a complex hardware product through design, prototyping, integration, testing, and delivery. Strong systems thinking, cross-functional leadership, and ability to translate ambiguous objectives into requirements and development plans. Hands-on experience building, integrating, testing, and troubleshooting physical hardware.
Preferred: Experience with phased-array antennas, ground station antennas, satellite communications, or radar systems. Familiarity with antenna structures, RF enclosures, electronics packaging, thermal management, and electromechanical integration. Experience with antenna elements, amplifiers, filters, beamforming electronics, and RF distribution networks. Track record taking hardware products from architecture through qualification, production, installation, and field operation. Experience with environmental testing, design for manufacturing, supplier management, and production-readiness processes.
Note: ITAR compliance required—must be U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from U.S. Department of State.
