R&D Head - Hardware Engineering
 

LOCATION: Melbourne / Florida (US-FL), United States | BRAND: KBSignaling | REQUISITION ID: 11002 | JOB GRADE: 19 |

ON-SITE/REMOTE: Hybrid 

KB Signaling delivers unparalleled end-to-end wayside and onboard conventional signaling platforms and solutions, supporting our Control, Command, and Signaling (CCS) global business unit. A trailblazer, we are driven to provide the best solutions for improved safety, performance, and lower overall operating cost for today’s transit and freight railway systems and operators in North America and beyond. Our team is fueled by innovation and grounded in solid values, like giving back to the communities where we do business and embracing sustainability to help protect our planet. KB Signaling is part of a global, high-tech company that will challenge you and help you grow. Discover your potential.

KB Signaling Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Job Summary

The R&D Head – Hardware Engineering is a senior functional leader accountable for technical and organizational performance of KB Signaling’s R&D Hardware and Mechanical Engineering functions, spanning Melbourne and Rochester. This accountability covers Hardware Engineering targets — safety, scope, quality, schedule, budget, and technical performance — across R&D programs, project development, and product sustaining efforts, within a safety-critical railway signaling environment governed by AREMA, CENELEC, and FRA standards. The R&D Head is the primary technical decision-maker for Hardware Engineering strategy, architecture direction, and team resourcing, and shapes the department's Hardware Engineering delivery plans and team capability, fostering a high-performance and innovative engineering culture across the function.

Reporting Line

Reports to R&D Director

Key Responsibilities

Hardware Engineering Strategy & Technical Leadership

• Drive improvement in process adherence and engineering execution quality, including requirements management
• Lead the multi-site Hardware and Mechanical Engineering functions responsible for hardware architecture, design, simulation, integration, and test
• Provide strategic and technical leadership across requirements, design, implementation, and integration activities supporting Melbourne and Rochester deliverables
• Implement and refine department processes, common methods, and best practices, while ensuring lessons learned are captured and applied
• Collaborate with other Engineering Department Heads, Product Managers, and Program Managers to establish technical baselines, manage technical change, and ensure compliance
• Coordinate Hardware and Mechanical Engineering activities in support of new and in-service products, working closely with Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, V&V, and Safety teams

Program & Delivery Accountability

• Consistently achieve Hardware Engineering targets (safety, scope, quality, schedule, budget, and technical performance) across R&D programs, project development, and product sustaining efforts
• Establish department priorities, resource plans, and execution strategies aligned with business and program objectives
• Develop and execute Engineering delivery plans that meet safety, scope, quality, schedule, budget, and technical performance targets
• Champion continuous improvement in product performance and reliability through innovative solutions and engineering best practices
• Ensure delivery of accurate, competitive, and achievable engineering proposals and estimates

Organizational & Talent Leadership

• Meet department budget, utilization, and staffing targets
• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability and trust while developing Hardware Engineering talent
• Continuously coach, motivate, encourage, evaluate and develop the team
• Oversee personnel development and performance improvement plans in coordination with the R&D Director and Human Resources
• Ensure R&D programs, sustaining efforts, and projects are staffed with the appropriate skills and manage performance accordingly
• Manage and communicate team workload, capacity, and resource needs
• Direct resourcing strategy across Value Countries and subcontractor partnerships to optimize team capacity

Competency & Capability Development

• Grow Hardware Engineering team competencies in SIL4/fail-safe design, including AREMA, FRA and CENELEC compliance
• Develop and grow team competencies in FPGA, Mixed Signal Design, Analog Design, Power Design, Vital Design, PCB Layout and Signal Integrity

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering
• 10+ years in the Railway Signaling domain
• 10+ years in Hardware Design and Test
• Expertise in KBS product line and technology
• 5+ years leading engineering teams

Other Skills & Competencies

• Ability and enthusiasm to lead and inspire both local and remote teams
• Effective stakeholder engagement skills, including cross-functional coordination and negotiation
• Familiarity with AREMA, CENELEC, FRA and other safety standards

Please note: At this time,  we are not able to offer immigration sponsorship for new hires. All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future employment-based visa sponsorship.

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in Grain Valley, MO is $127,000 to $211,600 per year. The final pay offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and years of experience within the job, the type of years and experience within the industry and education. KB Signaling is a multi-state employer, and this pay scale may not reflect positions that work in other states or locations. Provided they meet all eligibility requirements under the applicable plan documents, employees (and their eligible dependents) will be eligible to enroll in group healthcare plans that offer medical, dental, vision, and basic life and disability insurance. Employees also will be able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Employees will also receive 120 hours of vacation leave and 40 hours of Personal Paid Absence every year. Employees will also enjoy 12 paid holidays, and 1 floating holiday throughout the calendar year, subject to relevant terms outlined in the employee handbook. 6 weeks of paid parental leave will also be available for use. Requirements for these benefits will be controlled by applicable plan documents and policies. Employees working on federal contracts covered by the Federal Paid Sick Leave requirements will be notified and will receive benefits consistent and compliant with the FPSL requirements. Hired applicant will be able to purchase company stock, subject to the relevant plan documents and annual bonuses based on achievement of certain metrics of up to 4% of annual salary. This is intended to provide a general description of benefits and other compensation and is not a substitute for applicable plan documents or company policies. Applications for this position are accepted on an ongoing basis