Hardware Engineer

The posting, as Forterra wrote it

About Forterra

At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.

Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

About the role
The Emerging Technologies team at Forterra develops mission specific, autonomous ground vehicle platforms spanning both the military and commercial vehicle applications. Our systems must be field ready, reliable, and compliant with safety, cybersecurity, and mission assurance standards. We work closely with government and commercial stakeholders to deliver high-performance ground autonomy solutions for complex, real-world environments.

We are seeking a Hardware Engineer to direct hardware integration for complex defense autonomy programs within Emerging Technologies serving as the technical owner, Architect, and engineering lead. As a Hardware Engineer you will be responsible for the detailed technical execution, hardware architecture, and engineering execution across all hardware disciplines (mechanical, electrical, and test). You will lead the physical integration of 1st and 3rd party payloads for developmental prototypes and ultimately scale to production. You will also drive hardware product improvements to Core Product for the hardware aspects of base vehicle platforms, edge compute, and sensors.

This hands-on leadership role carries accountability for technical outcomes from concept through integration and delivery. The Hardware Engineer will interface directly with government customers, partner with Chief Engineers and Integration Managers, manage internal engineering execution, collaborate with internal partners (Operations, Hardware, Core Product, etc.), and support delivery of a fully integrated, mission-capable system. This position is not a coordination role — it requires technical judgment, system level and lifecycle thinking, direct problem-solving, hands-on leadership, and decision making under pressure.

What you'll do
Program Technical Leadership

• Coordinate the hardware development lifecycle for integrated vehicle systems, ensuring robust, reliable autonomy and seamless subsystem interaction, and robust payload integration
• Define, manage, and own the logical, physical, and electrical system architecture for programs in the hardware domain
• Define, manage, and own the physical interface(s) for payload integration
• Lead technical exe

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• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here .
Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
To see Forterra’s candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice .