Hardware Engineer Jobs in Colorado
Hardware Engineer jobs in Colorado are concentrated in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Boulder, where defense contractors, aerospace firms, and semiconductor companies maintain significant engineering workforces. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Ball Aerospace are among the most established employers in the state, consistently hiring across embedded systems, RF and microwave engineering, and printed circuit board design. The market runs from new graduates entering defense programs to senior engineers leading hardware development on complex government and commercial systems. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Hardware Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 33+ Hardware Engineer jobs











Description
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history. This position description does not represent a current opening but may be used to identify candidates with skills and experience for positions within Northrop Grumman that frequently become available. Candidates who express an interest may be considered for future positions at Northrop Grumman.Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Sector is known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, redefining engineering capabilities, and driving advances in various sciences through cutting-edge technology. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, and innovative technologies to develop, design, produce, and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission.
We are seeking a Senior Principal Hardware Lead for our Aurora, CO location. As a part of the Hardware team, the Hardware Lead has an understanding of the Systems Engineering process across a product's lifecycle and gains a full appreciation for how the systems operate as well as experience executing full life-cycle development for complex mission systems (requirements, design, integration, test, deployment, and sustainment)
The successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to complete tasks with little direction and oversight. They will be an effective communicator and problem solver who are able to develop and begin working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and customers.
Roles and Responsibilities
Strong systems engineering background, including system architecture definition and development of SRD/RTM and ICDs (interfaces, data flows, networks, ports/protocols/services).
Hands-on experience planning and executing formal technical reviews and test events (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FAT/PAT) and documenting results.
Lead hardware architecture and detailed design for land, maritime, and enterprise variants, ensuring requirements allocation, performance margins, and integration with system/software/network elements.
Own fabrication and assembly documentation (schematics, BoMs, assembly drawings), driving design-for-manufacture/test and resolving hardware non-conformances with suppliers and internal teams.
Plan and oversee hardware verification and qualification (environmental, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, power, reliability), including test procedures, fixtures, and analysis of results.
Maintain hardware configuration control across prototypes and production (baselines, change requests, CCB input, release packages), coordinating closely with configuration management and QA.
Lead hardware risk and issue management (technical risks, obsolescence, supply chain, reliability/sparing) and present status, mitigations, and impacts at TIMs, design reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR), TRR/FAT/PAT, and PMRs.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience, OR Master's degree with 6+ years of relevant experience is required. 4 additional years of experience is required in lieu of a degree.
Must have an active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access.
Working knowledge of relevant military/environmental, EMI/EMC, and power standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-167, MIL-STD-1399) and their application to design and test.
Background in cybersecurity and configuration/risk management for DoD systems (RMF/NIST-based controls, SSP/STIG/ACAS artifacts, configuration control, and risk registers
Experience with hardware design, performing integration and developing and executing test processes.
Demonstrated knowledge of the impacts of requirement changes on hardware design.
The ability to lift 50 pounds and work from elevated positions at heights above 8 feet.
Ability to work in the field under austere weather conditions
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelors’ STEM degree is highly preferred.
Experience with RF and Electrical testing tools, such as Spectrum Analyzer, Network Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, Signal Generators, RF Power meters, multimeters
Experience with complex system architectures and hardware validation procedures.
Knowledge of electronic components and their applications in communication systems.
Previous experience in a fast-paced engineering environment with a focus on field support operations is desirable.
See All 33 Hardware Engineer Jobs in Colorado
Find roles in Colorado that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Hardware Engineer JobsHardware Engineer Jobs by City in Colorado
Where Colorado roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Hardware Engineer Job Market in Colorado
A snapshot from current Colorado openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Retail
- Electronics & Hardware
- Transportation & Logistics
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces
What Colorado Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in hardware engineer jobs across Colorado.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience with schematic capture, PCB layout, and hardware bring-up
- Proficiency with lab instruments including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers
- Experience designing for FPGA, ASIC, or embedded microcontroller platforms
- Active or eligible DoD security clearance, required by many Colorado defense contractors
- Familiarity with hardware design review processes and regulatory standards such as IPC or MIL-SPEC
Hardware Engineer Jobs in Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a hardware engineer in Colorado?
Most hardware engineer roles in Colorado require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related discipline. Colorado does not require a state-issued license specifically for hardware engineers, though engineers who stamp public-facing designs may pursue Professional Engineer licensure through the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors. Many defense and aerospace roles also require candidates to obtain or maintain a DoD security clearance.
How much do hardware engineers make in Colorado?
Hardware engineers in Colorado earn a median of about $156,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $100,050 for the lowest 10% to over $222,220 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire hardware engineers in Colorado?
Colorado hardware engineer roles are posted by Amazon, BAE Systems USA, and Lockheed Martin and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Colorado's strong defense and aerospace sector means a large share of openings come from government contractors and systems integrators with long-term operations in the state.
Which Colorado cities have the most hardware engineer jobs?
Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs have the most hardware engineer openings in Colorado. Denver anchors the market through its concentration of aerospace and defense contractors, while Colorado Springs draws heavily from military installations and the contractors that support them, and Boulder's technology and research corridor attracts hardware roles in semiconductors and commercial electronics development.
Are there remote hardware engineer jobs in Colorado?
Yes, but they're rare. About 38% of hardware engineer openings tied to Colorado are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most hardware roles. The positions most likely to offer remote flexibility are those focused on design, simulation, and documentation rather than lab work, prototyping, or on-site testing.
How can I get hired as a hardware engineer in Colorado with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate or associate engineer role at one of Colorado's large defense contractors, which regularly run structured new-grad programs for candidates with a relevant degree and internship experience. Companies like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon hire into rotational engineering programs from Colorado universities. Building a portfolio of lab projects, pursuing FPGA or embedded development coursework, and targeting roles titled junior hardware engineer or electrical engineering associate strengthens a candidacy considerably.
Where can I find and apply to hardware engineer jobs in Colorado?
You can find and apply to hardware engineer jobs in Colorado on Migrate Mate, which lists current Colorado openings from employers across the state. Search for roles that fit your background, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 33 Hardware Engineer Jobs in Colorado
Find roles in Colorado that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Hardware Engineer Jobs