Engineer the Future of Flight as a Hardware Engineer

PDS Tech Commercial is seeking an experienced Hardware Engineer to join our industry-leading aviation partner, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. If you're driven by complex engineering challenges, passionate about advancing aerospace technology, and eager to influence next-generation avionics systems, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of aviation.

Location: Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Job Type: Full-Time Contract (26 Months)

Schedule: Monday-Friday | First Shift | 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Pay Rate: $74.70/hour

Make an Impact Where Innovation Takes Flight

As a Hardware Engineer you'll serve as a key technical leader helping shape high-performance, safety-critical avionics solutions used by commercial and military customers around the globe. Working alongside multidisciplinary engineering teams, you'll contribute to technologies that enhance pilot capabilities, improve mission performance, and help redefine the future of aerospace and defense.

This role offers the opportunity to influence technical strategy, guide system architecture decisions, and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry while supporting products that help connect and protect the world.

What You'll Do

In this highly visible engineering role, you will:

• Serve as a systems engineering technical leader, defining and refining solutions that align with customer requirements and program objectives.
• Lead systems engineering activities including system definition, architecture development, and integration planning.
• Collaborate closely with hardware, software, program management, and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Ensure compliance with established engineering processes, certification requirements, and program design plans.
• Apply expertise in avionics and complex regulated systems to support product strategy and technology roadmaps.
• Drive informed technical decisions that support product performance, safety, and certification objectives.
• Participate in future business pursuits and innovation initiatives that shape next-generation aerospace technologies.

What You'll Learn

This role offers exceptional professional growth opportunities, including:

• Deep expertise in safety-critical avionics development and certified flight deck systems.
• Advanced leadership experience through coordination of technical teams and strategic engineering initiatives.
• Enhanced systems engineering, integration, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Exposure to global stakeholders, suppliers, and cross-functional aerospace teams.
• Direct involvement in cutting-edge aerospace and defense technologies.

Required Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you should possess:

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and at least 8 years of relevant experience, OR

• Advanced degree in a related field and at least 5 years of relevant experience.

• Proven leadership experience developing certified aerospace systems or other highly regulated, complex systems.

• Demonstrated success contributing to or developing system architectures.

• Experience collaborating across multiple engineering disciplines.

• Knowledge of aviation certification and regulatory standards such as:- TSO

  • DO-160
  • DO-254
  • DO-178B/C

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, technical environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates with the following experience will stand out:

• Background in optics, display technology, electronics, or hardware/software integration.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience influencing technical direction across engineering teams.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to leadership and cross-functional partners.

Why Join Us?

At PDS Tech Commercial, we connect talented professionals with some of the world's most respected aerospace and defense organizations. When you join our team, you're not just taking a contract position—you're stepping into an opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking technologies that shape the future of flight.

What You'll Gain

• Competitive pay at $74.70 per hour
• Valuable experience with an industry-leading aerospace innovator
• Opportunity to work on advanced avionics and mission-critical technologies
• Exposure to world-class engineering teams and industry best practices
• A collaborative environment that values innovation, technical excellence, and continuous learning
• Dedicated support from the PDS Tech Commercial team throughout your assignment

Apply Today

If you're an experienced engineer ready to lead complex technical programs, influence next-generation aerospace solutions, and make a meaningful impact on the aviation industry, we want to hear from you.

**Take your engineering career to new heights. Apply today and help build the technologies that will power the future of flight.

This position requires use of information or access to facilities subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These regulations may limit access of controlled technologies: 1) to U.S. Persons, including U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other narrow categories including refugees and asylees, or 2) to certain foreign nationals that have received an export license. **

Pay Details: $74.70 per hour

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.pdstech.com/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.