Principal Systems Engineer, Communications Hardware

Axon

Principal hardware architect building Axon 911’s integrated emergency-response devices. Defining architecture, verification, certification, and manufacturing standards for public-safety hardware.

Posted 8/21/2026full-timeSan Diego • Arizona, California, Massachusetts, New York • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $210,600 - $242,100 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive expertise in system architecture and technical integration across electrical, RF, and mechanical domains, with a strong focus on hardware engineering processes and regulatory compliance. Capable of leading cross-functional teams to develop and validate complex hardware systems from concept through mass production.

Highest-signal resume keywords

System Architecture OwnershipCross-Disciplinary Technical Decision-MakingHardware Certification FamiliarityExperience with EVT/DVT/PVT ProcessesRisk Analysis and Mitigation Strategies

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Electrical EngineeringRF EngineeringMechanical EngineeringSystem Requirements DevelopmentValidation PlansThermal ManagementEMI/EMCAntenna IntegrationPower ArchitectureDesign for Manufacturing

Soft Skills

Technical CommunicationLeadershipCollaboration

Tools & Technologies

AltiumCadenceSolidWorksCreoNXRF Test EquipmentThermal Characterization ToolsPLM SystemsBOM Management Systems

Industry Keywords

U.S. Regulatory StandardsInternational Regulatory StandardsHardware EngineeringIntegrated HardwareManufacturing Readiness

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own system architecture and technical integration across electrical, RF, mechanical, thermal, and power domains
Define and drive technical standards, architecture, and engineering processes for mission-critical hardware
Partner with EE, RF, SW, and ME leads to define system requirements and drive cross-functional design decisions
Develop system architectures, block diagrams, and interaction diagrams
Analyze power, thermal, and computational budget constraints and balance performance, size, and cost
Lead concept studies with internal and external development teams and present recommendations
Write and vet system requirements with clear, testable design targets
Review product requirements for next-generation devices
Simulate and estimate subsystem capability against requirements
Manage requirements traceability from PRD through V&V
Lead cross-discipline design reviews and organize cross-functional system reviews
Resolve competing engineering constraints and provide technical direction to EE, RF, and ME leads
Own system-level verification and validation strategy
Perform risk analysis, develop mitigation strategies, and close the loop on characterization and verification results
Own technical accountability for program schedule and risk and communicate tradeoffs to program and executive leadership
Partner with ODM/JDM and manufacturing teams on DFM/DFA, engineering builds, and production readiness
Own system-level certification strategy across U.S. and international regulatory standards

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of hardware engineering experience
Deep expertise in at least two of electrical engineering, RF engineering, or mechanical engineering, with strong working knowledge of the third
Proven experience owning system architecture and cross-disciplinary technical decisions for complex, integrated hardware
Experience taking compact, connected, battery-powered hardware from concept through mass production, including EVT/DVT/PVT, certification, and manufacturing ramp
Experience with RF/antenna integration, power architecture, thermal management, EMI/EMC, shielding, enclosure design, and mechanical tolerances
Experience developing system requirements and validation plans
Familiarity with U.S. and international hardware certification and regulatory requirements
Experience working with ODM/JDM or contract manufacturing partners
Familiarity with hardware design, simulation, testing, and lifecycle tools, including Altium/Cadence, SolidWorks/Creo/NX, RF and electrical test equipment, thermal characterization tools, and PLM/BOM or requirements-management systems
Ability to communicate technical risk to senior leadership
Approximately 10–20% travel
Currently based in the U.S. and authorized to work for a U.S. employer for relocation assistance eligibility

Benefits

Comp & perks

401k with employer match
Discretionary paid time off
Paid parental leave for all
Medical, dental, and vision plans
Fitness Programs
Emotional & Mental Wellness support
Learning & Development programs
Relocation support available for qualified candidates
Annual bonus
Company equity
Snacks in offices