Director of Hardware Engineering - Spaceborne Radar Systems

Overview

Kapta Space, a VC-funded early-stage startup in Seattle, WA, is breaking new ground in Geospatial Intelligence. Our technology centers around a proven, scalable electronically-steered radar for sophisticated spaceborne applications such as earth observation using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) techniques, as well as enabling advanced defense missions such as target tracking.

Role : The Director of Hardware Engineering will lead the design, development, qualification, and deployment of our scalable, electronically-steered radar for advanced spaceborne ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) missions. You will lead development of mission-critical hardware across RF / antenna systems, high-speed digital, mixed-signal electronics, power electronics, and mechanical / thermal packaging, taking products from concept through flight. You will guide multi-disciplinary teams to deliver high-performance compliant hardware in harsh LEO (Low-earth orbit) environments, ensuring technical excellence, schedule and budget accountability, and seamless integration with spacecraft bus partners.

You shall exhibit deep technical depth and apply advanced technical principles, theories, and concepts. The ideal candidate must have the drive and experience to complete projects independently and on aggressive timelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the definition of hardware system architecture for electronically-steered radar subsystems including electronically steered antennas, RF front-ends, power electronics, high-speed digital and mixed-signal electronics, and embedded processing hardware.
• Direct full product lifecycle execution : requirements, architecture, detailed design, prototype build, environmental / radiation / EMI-EMC qualification, manufacturing introduction and spacecraft integration.
• Recruit, hire, manage and mentor cross-disciplinary engineering teams, guiding execution, staffing, team growth, and culture of ownership and innovation.
• Partner closely with system engineering, software / firmware, GNC, payload / instrument, and operations to ensure coherent hardware-software interaction, robust performance, and smooth delivery.
• Own hardware V&V and TRL-advancement strategy : signal / power integrity analysis, reliability modeling, and environmental testing (thermal, vibration, shock, vacuum, EMI / EMC, radiation).
• Proactively collaborate with Program Management Office to manage schedules, budgets, risk mitigation, and resource plans to meet mission performance and reliability targets.
• In conjunction with Program Management Office, drive manufacturability, cost efficiency, and quality through DFX (Design for Excellence) principles and NPI hand-off to production partners.
• Support engagement with customers, suppliers, and subcontractors throughout the product development life cycle.

Required Qualifications

Bonus

Salary

$198,000 - $242,000 a year.

The estimated salary range for this role reflects base pay only and is influenced by a variety of factors. Actual offers may vary based on—though not limited to—a candidate’s experience, education or training, specialized expertise, and the needs of the business. In addition to base pay, full-time roles include competitive equity grants that reward innovation, impact, and long-term growth. Our total compensation philosophy is designed to recognize excellence while fostering a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and shared success.

Kapta Space is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation, strengthens our team, and broadens our capabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.

Kapta Space does not engage with external recruiters or agencies without prior written agreement. If you are a recruiter (individual or agency) and wish to engage with Kapta Space for talent acquisition, please email hr@kaptaspace.com.

#J-18808-Ljbffr