Inside the Role of a Hardware Design Engineer

Modern satellites are feats of precision engineering, and at the heart of every mission is the work of the hardware design engineer. This video offers a behind-the-scenes look at how these engineers turn complex technical requirements into reliable, space-ready systems through the eyes of one of our own, Erdem.

What Does A Hardware Design Engineer Do?

A hardware design engineer’s job begins long before a satellite ever reaches orbit. They start by translating mission objectives into electrical and structural designs that can withstand the extremes of space. From intense radiation and vacuum pressure to rapid temperature swings, every component must be meticulously chosen and tested for durability, efficiency, and safety.

In this video, we explore how hardware engineers balance competing demands: performance vs. weight, power vs. heat, and innovation vs. reliability. Their design work bridges multiple disciplines, combining electronics, materials science, mechanical engineering, and software integration. They collaborate closely with system architects and manufacturing teams to ensure each circuit board, connector, and harness is optimized for long-term operation in orbit.

Testing and validation are central to the role. Engineers subject prototypes to vibration, shock, and thermal-vacuum testing to replicate launch and space conditions. Only through rigorous validation can a design earn “flight-ready” status. The process demands both creativity and discipline, and each change can ripple through the entire spacecraft design.

The video highlights how this work powers the future of space exploration. Hardware design engineers aren’t just building parts; they’re enabling new capabilities in communications, Earth observation, and scientific research. Their attention to detail and commitment to reliability make it possible for satellites to operate autonomously, often for years, without a single failure.

Whether you’re curious about aerospace technology or considering a career in engineering, this video offers a clear, compelling look at the people and processes that make space missions possible.