Hardware Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Hardware Engineer jobs in Virginia are in strong demand, concentrated in defense electronics, federal contracting, and semiconductor systems across entry-level through senior engineering roles. The largest hiring markets are Northern Virginia, the Hampton Roads area, and Richmond, where employers like Leidos, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon Technologies maintain significant hardware engineering workforces. The most sought-after specialties in Virginia are embedded systems design, RF and communications hardware, and FPGA development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 28+ 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.Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking an Electrical Engineer – Level 3 to join our team in Sterling, VA. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
As part of the simulation hardware team, the candidate will work side-by-side with Flatsat Systems software engineering, developing Flatsat Systems. Development includes requirements definition, design, documentation, and overseeing the assembly of Flatsat simulation systems. The Flatsat System is comprised of a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) Rack, used to implement closed-loop simulation on Space Vehicle (SV) Testbed with integrated avionics flight computers. The HITL Rack provides power, TCR uplink/downlink functionality, and complete SV closed loop simulation for the Flatsat testbed with integrated avionics. The Flatsat Testbed contains harnessing that is electrically similar to the spacecraft harness connecting avionics units to the HITL Rack.
The engineer candidate will define requirements based upon the program’s needs, select hardware to simulate SV component data and control interfaces, define testbed harness connections to avionics units, the interfaces to simulate SV components, as well as test and integrate the completed Flatsat System with the avionics units before delivery.
The candidate will be part of a small Flatsat Design Team consisting of both software and hardware engineers supporting a number of programs. The HITL racks provide power, TCR uplink/downlink functionality, and complete SV closed loop simulation for the Flatsat testbed with integrated avionics. engineers supporting a multitude of diverse space programs. The candidate is responsible for the electrical and mechanical design, to include parts lists or bills of material, fabrication documentation, and fabrication guidance of the HITL Rack and Testbed.
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Rack, panel, and cable design, electrical interconnects, wiring diagrams, and applicable schematics
- Developing certification procedures
- Hardware checkout/troubleshooting which includes root cause determination, problem resolution and documentation updates.
- Interfacing with spacecraft subsystem design engineers, flight software engineers, systems engineers, simulation software engineers, parts procurement, and assembly technicians, in order to provide support for various Flatsat simulation tasks as required.
- Other duties as assigned
If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!
This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 3 year of professional experience.
- Requires an active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at time of application
- Proficient with integrated (analog, power, digital) hardware design
- Proficient in rack design, panel design, cable design, and schematic layouts.
- Proficient with lab test equipment such as DMMs and O-Scopes with the ability to operate them for debug and troubleshooting.
- Familiar with high-speed serial interface protocol (TCP/IP, SPACEWIRE, LVDS, RS422/485, 1553).
- Proficient with electrical and/or mechanical design tools (e.g., Visio, CREO, Zuken).
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Self-motivated and able to effectively work in small teams.
- Technical leadership experience.
- Ability to work independently with minimal management oversight and act as the simulation hardware lead on varying programs.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to understand EVMS. Create and maintain schedules and budgets and effectively report progress and maintain both.
- Strong written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex ideas in a clear and concise manner.
- Grounding and signal preservation techniques.
- Microsoft Office Suite.
- Strong analytical and diagnostic skills.
- Experience with scripting languages such as Python.
- Experience with National Instruments data acquisition cards.
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
Primary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00 The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business. The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.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.Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is seeking an Electrical Engineer – Level 3 to join our team in Sterling, VA. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
As part of the simulation hardware team, the candidate will work side-by-side with Flatsat Systems software engineering, developing Flatsat Systems. Development includes requirements definition, design, documentation, and overseeing the assembly of Flatsat simulation systems. The Flatsat System is comprised of a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) Rack, used to implement closed-loop simulation on Space Vehicle (SV) Testbed with integrated avionics flight computers. The HITL Rack provides power, TCR uplink/downlink functionality, and complete SV closed loop simulation for the Flatsat testbed with integrated avionics. The Flatsat Testbed contains harnessing that is electrically similar to the spacecraft harness connecting avionics units to the HITL Rack.
The engineer candidate will define requirements based upon the program’s needs, select hardware to simulate SV component data and control interfaces, define testbed harness connections to avionics units, the interfaces to simulate SV components, as well as test and integrate the completed Flatsat System with the avionics units before delivery.
The candidate will be part of a small Flatsat Design Team consisting of both software and hardware engineers supporting a number of programs. The HITL racks provide power, TCR uplink/downlink functionality, and complete SV closed loop simulation for the Flatsat testbed with integrated avionics. engineers supporting a multitude of diverse space programs. The candidate is responsible for the electrical and mechanical design, to include parts lists or bills of material, fabrication documentation, and fabrication guidance of the HITL Rack and Testbed.
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Rack, panel, and cable design, electrical interconnects, wiring diagrams, and applicable schematics
- Developing certification procedures
- Hardware checkout/troubleshooting which includes root cause determination, problem resolution and documentation updates.
- Interfacing with spacecraft subsystem design engineers, flight software engineers, systems engineers, simulation software engineers, parts procurement, and assembly technicians, in order to provide support for various Flatsat simulation tasks as required.
- Other duties as assigned
If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!
This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field with 8 years of professional experience – OR – Master’s degree with 6 years of professional experience – OR – PhD with 3 year of professional experience.
- Requires an active Top-Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance at time of application
- Proficient with integrated (analog, power, digital) hardware design
- Proficient in rack design, panel design, cable design, and schematic layouts.
- Proficient with lab test equipment such as DMMs and O-Scopes with the ability to operate them for debug and troubleshooting.
- Familiar with high-speed serial interface protocol (TCP/IP, SPACEWIRE, LVDS, RS422/485, 1553).
- Proficient with electrical and/or mechanical design tools (e.g., Visio, CREO, Zuken).
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Self-motivated and able to effectively work in small teams.
- Technical leadership experience.
- Ability to work independently with minimal management oversight and act as the simulation hardware lead on varying programs.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to understand EVMS. Create and maintain schedules and budgets and effectively report progress and maintain both.
- Strong written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex ideas in a clear and concise manner.
- Grounding and signal preservation techniques.
- Microsoft Office Suite.
- Strong analytical and diagnostic skills.
- Experience with scripting languages such as Python.
- Experience with National Instruments data acquisition cards.
Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
Primary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00 The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business. The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.See All 28 Hardware Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Hardware Engineer JobsHardware Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Hardware Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in hardware engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field
- Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout using tools such as Altium or Cadence
- Experience with FPGA design and firmware integration in embedded hardware systems
- Familiarity with RF or communications hardware design for defense or government applications
- Active or eligibility for a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance
- Knowledge of hardware verification, validation, and test procedures including JTAG and oscilloscope use
Hardware Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a hardware engineer in Virginia?
Hardware engineering in Virginia does not require a state-issued professional license for most private-sector roles, but engineers who sign off on public works projects may pursue licensure through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation as a Professional Engineer. Most Virginia employers require at minimum a bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering. Candidates targeting defense contractors should also pursue or maintain eligibility for a Department of Defense security clearance, which many Northern Virginia employers treat as a baseline requirement.
How much do hardware engineers make in Virginia?
Hardware engineers in Virginia earn a median of about $139,030 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $87,630 for the lowest 10% to over $195,290 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire hardware engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring hardware engineers in Virginia right now include Northrop Grumman, Amazon, and Curtiss-Wright, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's dense concentration of defense primes and federal IT contractors makes it one of the more active states for hardware engineering hiring, particularly for roles involving communications systems and embedded electronics.
Which Virginia cities have the most hardware engineer jobs?
Herndon, Waynesboro, and Dulles have the most hardware engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia dominates due to its proximity to the Pentagon, defense agencies, and the large primes headquartered in the Tysons and Reston corridors, while Hampton Roads draws hardware engineering demand from naval installations and the defense contractors supporting them.
Are there remote hardware engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused fields, since hardware engineering typically involves physical prototyping, lab testing, and hands-on board bring-up. About 25% of hardware engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with hybrid arrangements more achievable than fully remote. Design and documentation phases of a project tend to be the most flexible for off-site work.
How can I get hired as a hardware engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is targeting new-graduate or associate hardware engineer roles at Virginia's large defense contractors, which regularly hire from programs at Virginia Tech, George Mason University, and Old Dominion University. Employers like Leidos and Northrop Grumman run structured rotational or early-career programs in their Virginia divisions. Building a portfolio of PCB or FPGA projects and pursuing an EIT designation through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation strengthens any entry-level application.
Where can I find and apply to hardware engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to hardware engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings from employers across the state. Find roles that match your experience and specialty, then apply directly through each listing without creating a profile or signing up first.
See All 28 Hardware Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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