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.
Find Hardware Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 16+ Hardware Engineer jobs
The Opportunity:
Come be part of a unique team solving wide-ranging national security cyber and hardware challenges. Use your skills in interesting projects involving hardware reverse engineering and digital signal processing. You be involved in investigating embedded software/hardware devices, understanding digital communication implementations, analyzing embedded binaries, and investigating RF data to identify system behavior. An ideal candidate can balance multiple projects in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary, R&D environment and can work effectively individually and on a team through their excellent communication skills and technical acumen.
- Teardown, investigate, and document embedded hardware devices/software and analyze their inherent communication implementations
- Analyze systems and hardware devices to determine behavior and potential access vectors for exploitation
- Investigate RF communication capabilities of hardware systems
- Participate in technical reviews of requirements, specifications, designs, codes, and other artifacts
- Create documentation outlining results of exploitation efforts
Qualifications:
Required:
- An active Top Secret/SCI
- BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Aerospace Engineering (ABET/EAC Accredited)
- 5+ years of experience performing digital signal processing development, reverse engineering, embedded software development, and/or FPGA engineering
- 7+ years of experience developing or reverse-engineering FPGAs using HDL (VHDL and/or Verilog) and simulation tools (e.g., Modelsim, Questasim)
- Experience with embedded interfaces such as UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO
- Experience using in-circuit debuggers and programmers, JTAG/Serial-wire (SWD)
- Experience programming in Python, C, and/or C++
Desired:
- Working knowledge of RF communications technologies, network communications technologies, and hardware design including radio-frequency modules and/or software defined radios
- Active TS/SCI with polygraph clearance
- Experience working with board support packages (BSP), U-Boot, and device drivers
- Background in digital signal processing (DSP) and communication theory
- Knowledge of processing signals
- Software development experience in Linux and/or bare metal
What You Can Expect:
A culture of integrity.
At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.
An environment of trust.
CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.
A focus on continuous growth.
Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.
Pay Range :
There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.
The proposed salary range for this position is:
$94,400 - $198,200The Opportunity:
Come be part of a unique team solving wide-ranging national security cyber and hardware challenges. Use your skills in interesting projects involving hardware reverse engineering and digital signal processing. You be involved in investigating embedded software/hardware devices, understanding digital communication implementations, analyzing embedded binaries, and investigating RF data to identify system behavior. An ideal candidate can balance multiple projects in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary, R&D environment and can work effectively individually and on a team through their excellent communication skills and technical acumen.
- Teardown, investigate, and document embedded hardware devices/software and analyze their inherent communication implementations
- Analyze systems and hardware devices to determine behavior and potential access vectors for exploitation
- Investigate RF communication capabilities of hardware systems
- Participate in technical reviews of requirements, specifications, designs, codes, and other artifacts
- Create documentation outlining results of exploitation efforts
Qualifications:
Required:
- An active Top Secret/SCI
- BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Aerospace Engineering (ABET/EAC Accredited)
- 5+ years of experience performing digital signal processing development, reverse engineering, embedded software development, and/or FPGA engineering
- 7+ years of experience developing or reverse-engineering FPGAs using HDL (VHDL and/or Verilog) and simulation tools (e.g., Modelsim, Questasim)
- Experience with embedded interfaces such as UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO
- Experience using in-circuit debuggers and programmers, JTAG/Serial-wire (SWD)
- Experience programming in Python, C, and/or C++
Desired:
- Working knowledge of RF communications technologies, network communications technologies, and hardware design including radio-frequency modules and/or software defined radios
- Active TS/SCI with polygraph clearance
- Experience working with board support packages (BSP), U-Boot, and device drivers
- Background in digital signal processing (DSP) and communication theory
- Knowledge of processing signals
- Software development experience in Linux and/or bare metal
What You Can Expect:
A culture of integrity.
At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.
An environment of trust.
CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.
A focus on continuous growth.
Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.
Pay Range :
There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.
The proposed salary range for this position is:
$94,400 - $198,200See All 16 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
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
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 Amazon, Accelevation, and Unisys, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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, Sterling, and Manassas 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 75% of hardware engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 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 16 Hardware Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Hardware Engineer Jobs