Principal Systems Engineer, Communications Hardware (Remote Eligible | Relocation Assistance Available)

At Axon, we’re on a mission to Protect Life. We’re explorers, pursuing society’s most critical safety and justice issues with our ecosystem of devices and cloud software. Like our products, we work better together. We connect with candor and care, seeking out diverse perspectives from our customers, communities and each other.

Life at Axon is fast-paced, challenging and meaningful. Here, you’ll take ownership and drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission that matters at a company where you matter.

Axon 911 brings together Prepared and Carbyne under Axon. Together, we are creating the only platform that combines modern 911 infrastructure with an AI intelligence layer—helping public safety agencies move faster, make better decisions, and deliver better outcomes in the moments that matter most.

911 is the backbone of public safety, yet the professionals behind it have long been held back by outdated technology. Axon 911 is here to change that. Joining this team means more than taking a job—it means helping shape the future of emergency response and building a safer, more connected world.

We are seeking a Principal Hardware Systems Architect to own system architecture and technical integration across electrical, RF, mechanical, thermal, and power domains.

Joining as a founding leader within the Axon 911 hardware team, you will define and drive the technical standards, architecture, and engineering processes that shape how our mission-critical hardware is designed, validated, and scaled to mass production.

You will partner closely with Electrical Engineering (EE), Radio Frequency (RF) Engineering, Software (SW) Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering (ME) leads to define system requirements, drive cross-functional design decisions, and ensure each subsystem comes together as a cohesive, production-ready device. When technical constraints compete, from antenna performance and enclosure design to thermal budgets and power delivery, you will be responsible for driving the system-level decision.

• Develop system architecture with consideration for industrial design, electrical design, radio frequency integration, mechanical design, software, and product management.
• Build system architectures, block diagrams, and interaction diagrams to guide implementation.
• Analyze power, thermal, and computational budget constraints, and develop solutions that balance performance, size, and cost.
• Lead concept studies with internal and external development teams and present outcomes and recommendations.

• Write and vet system requirements with clear, testable design targets for engineering and test teams.
• Review and provide input on product requirements for next-generation devices.
• Simulate and estimate subsystem capability against requirements.
• Manage requirements and maintain traceability from PRD through V&V.

• Lead cross-discipline design reviews and organize cross-functional system reviews, building stakeholder buy-in.
• Resolve competing engineering constraints and provide technical direction to EE, RF, and ME leads.

• Own the system-level verification and validation strategy, catching integration risks before certification and production.
• Perform risk analysis, develop mitigation strategies, and close the loop on design characterization and verification results.
• Carry technical accountability for program schedule and risk, translating complex engineering tradeoffs into clear decisions for program and executive leadership.

• Partner with ODM/JDM and manufacturing teams on DFM/DFA, engineering builds, and production readiness.
• Own the system-level certification strategy across U.S. and international regulatory standards.

• 10+ years of hardware engineering experience, with deep expertise in at least two of electrical engineering, RF engineering, or mechanical engineering and strong working knowledge of the third.
• Proven experience owning system architecture and cross-disciplinary technical decisions for complex, integrated hardware, including the judgment to resolve competing engineering constraints.
• Track record of taking compact, connected, battery-powered hardware from concept through mass production, including EVT/DVT/PVT, certification, and manufacturing ramp.
• Deep experience across RF/antenna integration, power architecture, thermal management, EMI/EMC, shielding, enclosure design, and mechanical tolerances.
• Experience developing system requirements and validation plans, with familiarity across U.S. and international hardware certification and regulatory requirements.
• Experience working with ODM/JDM or contract manufacturing partners through development and production.
• Familiarity with relevant hardware design, simulation, testing, and lifecycle tools, such as Altium/Cadence, SolidWorks/Creo/NX, RF and electrical test equipment, thermal characterization tools, and PLM/BOM or requirements-management systems.
• Strong ability to communicate technical risk to senior leadership and thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment while helping establish the standards and processes needed to scale.

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. The job description may change or be supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.

Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment.

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Axon’s mission is to Protect Life and is committed to the well-being and safety of its employees as well as Axon’s impact on the environment. All Axon employees must be aware of and committed to the appropriate environmental, health, and safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Axon employees are empowered to report safety concerns as they arise and activities potentially impacting the environment.

We are an equal opportunity employer that promotes justice, advances equity, values diversity and fosters inclusion. We’re committed to hiring the best talent — regardless of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances — and empowering all of our employees so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or special need that requires assistance or accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email recruitingops@axon.com.  Please note that this email address is for accommodation purposes only. Axon will not respond to inquiries for other purposes.

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