Company Overview
Red 6 is an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) technology startup leading the way in synthetic air combat training. Our primary technology, supporting our ATARS product, enables pilots to simulate the cognitive challenges of flying while accessing realistic, scalable training in dynamic outdoor environments.
The Role
The Director of Electrical Engineering will lead and expand Red 6's electrical engineering team in Denver, overseeing the full lifecycle of electrical hardware for our next-generation augmented reality systems. This position combines deep technical oversight with strategic leadership - driving roadmap execution, establishing design standards, and scaling a world-class electrical engineering team as Red 6 continues to grow.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in fast-paced, mission-driven environments and has a passion for building world-class, ruggedized electronics for aerospace applications.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
- Define and execute the electrical engineering strategy aligned with Red 6's product and technology roadmaps.
- Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing electrical engineering team.
- Foster a product-forward culture within the electrical engineering team - one that prioritizes integration, manufacturability, and performance.
- Encourage engineers to engage deeply with product intent, enabling fast, iterative collaboration with mechanical and systems teams as designs mature.
- Partner with the VP of Engineering, CTO, and cross-functional leads (Systems, Software, Mechanical, Manufacturing) to ensure cohesive product integration.
- Drive standardization of design processes, documentation, and testing frameworks across all electrical programs.
- Forecast and manage resources, budgets, and project priorities for the electrical function.
- Build, mentor, and guide a team of electrical engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and engineering excellence.
Technical Execution
- Provide architectural and design guidance for complex mixed-signal, high-speed digital, and power systems used in aerospace AR environments.
- Lead electrical development for tightly packaged, mechanically constrained products - balancing thermal, structural, and electrical needs in collaboration with product-focused Mechanical Engineering.
- Champion rapid design iteration as industrial and product designs evolve, maintaining electrical integrity through continuous refinement.
- Drive close co-design between electrical and mechanical domains to achieve optimal product integration and manufacturability.
- Define electrical architectures and channelization strategies for power, signal, and data distribution across airborne and simulation systems.
- Oversee schematic design, PCB layout (rigid, flex, rigid-flex), bring-up, validation, and environmental qualification (EMI/EMC, vibration, DO-160).
- Establish and enforce compliance with relevant aerospace and military standards
- Collaborate closely with Systems Engineering to derive electrical requirements from top-level system specifications.
- Lead technical reviews, risk assessments (FMEA, FTA), and trade studies to ensure reliability and manufacturability.
- Evaluate and implement new tools, workflows, and technologies that improve efficiency, quality, and design throughput.
- Partner with systems, mechanical, and software teams to ensure seamless electrical-mechanical integration and validation of complete systems.
Cross-Functional & External Collaboration
- Partner with Manufacturing and Supply Chain to transition designs from prototype to production.
- Support supplier qualification, component selection, and DFM/DFT processes.
- Represent the electrical engineering discipline in design reviews, customer briefings, and external technical discussions.
- Interface with suppliers and external partners to evaluate COTS components, manage subcontracted design efforts, and ensure compliance with program and defense requirements.
- Lead innovation initiatives in emerging areas such as miniaturized electronics, advanced signal processing, and power management systems for next-generation defense and AR platforms.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
- 12+ years of progressive experience in electrical hardware design, including 5+ years leading engineering teams.
- Proven track record of delivering complex electronic systems in aerospace, defense, or similarly regulated environments.
- Strong expertise in:
- High-speed digital and mixed-signal design (FPGA/SoC integration, DDR, PCIe, Ethernet)
- Power system design and distribution for ruggedized hardware
- PCB layout and design for harsh environments
- Hardware bring-up, verification, and validation testing
- Experience with environmental and EMI/EMC qualification testing to DO-160 and MIL standards.
- Demonstrated success in building and scaling high-performing technical teams.
- Exc