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Director of Hardware

San Luis Obispo, California

At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.

We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.

Position Summary 

The Director of Hardware leads Zone 5’s Mechanical and Electrical Engineering functions, developing world-class hardware capabilities and ensuring disciplined, high-velocity execution across all programs. This role owns the strategic direction, functional excellence, and organizational development of both ME and EE teams while partnering closely with Programs, Systems Engineering, and Manufacturing to deliver integrated aerospace systems. 

You will be accountable for building the people, processes, and architectures that enable Zone 5 to design, integrate, and produce hardware that is safe, reliable, manufacturable, and rapidly deployable. 

Responsibilities 

  • Lead, mentor, and develop Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Managers and their teams. 
  • Set the strategic vision and roadmap for hardware capabilities, tools, and processes across Zone 5. 
  • Ensure hardware engineering delivers robust architectures, detailed designs, and high-quality integration support on schedule. 
  • Partner with Programs and IPTs to allocate resources, drive execution discipline, and resolve cross-functional issues. 
  • Establish and maintain engineering standards for hardware design, analysis, review rigor, documentation, verification, and configuration control. 
  • Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace standards (AS9100, AS6500, DO-160, MIL-STD-461/704). 
  • Oversee major design reviews and readiness events—PDR, CDR, TRR—ensuring hardware content meets technical and programmatic requirements. 
  • Identify and execute capability investments (equipment, software, training) needed for functional scalability. 
  • Guide root-cause investigations and ensure systemic corrective actions across hardware disciplines. 
  • Support proposal development by shaping hardware architectures, estimating labor, and defining execution approaches. 
  • Serve as the senior hardware engineering representative in portfolio, business area, and executive-level reviews. 

Qualifications 

Basic expectations for this role include a minimum of: 

  • B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related discipline. 
  • 12+ years of hardware engineering experience in aerospace, defense, autonomous systems, or equivalent. 
  • 5+ years leading engineering managers or multi-disciplinary hardware teams. 
  • Demonstrated experience developing hardware architectures and scaling engineering processes. 
  • Strong understanding of DFMA, configuration control, integration workflows, and test readiness. 
  • Ability to lead in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment with multiple active programs. 

Our ideal candidate has:

  • Experience in UAS, missiles, loitering munitions, or complex electromechanical systems. 
  • Familiarity with Solidworks, Altium, MBSE environments (Cameo), EVM, and AS6500-aligned program execution. 
  • Experience collaborating with vertically integrated manufacturing operations. 

 

Pay range for this role

$200,000 - $270,000 USD

What's in it for you:

Benefits: 

  • Competitive total compensation package 
  • Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
  • 401k with company-match 
  • 4 weeks of paid time off each year
  • 12 annual company holidays

Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?

  • Innovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
  • Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
  • Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

If you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team! 

Note about our Texas roles: we are in the process of opening a location on the mid-west side of the DFW metro region. Roles in Texas will initially work remotely and then be expected to be onsite when that location opens in 2026.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.

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