HSAE jobs in Fort Meade, MD
Hardware and Software Analysis Engineer (HSAE)
Prototype fabrication, schematic analysis, circuit verification, environmental testing, quality assurance, and practical troubleshooting for cleared mission systems.
Apply for this RoleGS Consulting Environment
Practical Engineering for Mission Prototypes
At GS Consulting, prototypes matter only if they can be fabricated, debugged, tested, installed, and trusted. This role sits close to the physical work behind mission systems.
This role is built for engineers and builders who can bridge schematic intent and physical reality. You will support development, fabrication, testing, site installation, circuit analysis, and practical troubleshooting across electrical, electronic, mechanical, and software products.
The Work
What the Role Looks Like Day to Day
HSAE work often starts with something that does not behave the way the design says it should. Is the issue in the circuit, the assembly, the environment, the software product, the interface, or the test procedure?
A typical day may include assembling prototypes, modifying components, reading schematics, debugging behavior, running environmental tests, performing quality checks, verifying digital circuits, documenting results, and coordinating with engineering teams before equipment moves closer to field use.
Mission and Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities
Our Hardware and Software Analysis Engineers fabricate, analyze, debug, and test practical engineering products. Depending on your LCAT level, you will be expected to:
- Provide engineering technical support for the development, fabrication, test, and site installation of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or software products and systems.
- Assemble, modify, debug, and test prototype products before they are deployed to the field or integrated into larger mission systems.
- Read, analyze, and troubleshoot complex schematic diagrams to understand component behavior and isolate faults.
- Execute environmental testing and quality assurance testing on newly fabricated equipment and prototype assemblies.
- Design and verify integrated and digital circuit devices, and integrate complex electrical and communication systems.
Technical Domains
Required Technical Domains and Practical Experience
Successful HSAEs at GS Consulting bring a blend of formal engineering knowledge and practical fabrication skill across several of the following domains:
- Electrical, electronic, and mechanical fabrication
- Prototype assembly, modification, debugging, and testing
- Complex schematic diagram analysis and troubleshooting
- Integrated and digital circuit design and verification
- Environmental testing and quality assurance testing
- Electrical and communication system integration
- Practical maker experience in electronics repair, computer repair, robotics, machine shop, wood shop, or electronic shop work
Preferred Degree Fields
Preferred degree fields include Professional Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Architecture, Computer Science, Mathematics, Hydrology, Geology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related accredited technical field.
Tools and Mission Context
Testing Turns Prototype Guesswork Into Evidence
HSAE professionals work with schematics, prototype assemblies, circuit devices, test equipment, environmental test procedures, quality assurance checks, shop tools, debugging workflows, and installation constraints. The work rewards people who can reason from evidence.
Strong candidates can explain what they tested, what failed, what changed, and what the evidence says. That practical discipline is what turns a fragile prototype into a mission capability the customer can trust.
Compensation
Estimated Compensation Range
Estimated compensation for Hardware and Software Analysis Engineer roles ranges from $110,000 to $220,000 per year. Final compensation depends on HSAE level, years of relevant experience, clearance status, technical depth, customer requirements, contract fit, and location expectations.
The range is intentionally broad because this posting covers Levels 1 through 4. Senior HSAEs are trusted with more complex prototype analysis, test planning, schematic troubleshooting, system integration, and practical engineering decisions.
Qualification Paths
LCAT Qualification Paths
We are actively staffing billets across all four HSAE levels. Relevant experience should connect to hardware and software analysis, fabrication, testing, schematic analysis, circuit verification, environmental testing, quality assurance, debugging, or system integration.
Level 1
- Bachelor Degree plus 2 years of experience
- Master Degree plus 0 years of experience
Level 2
- Bachelor Degree plus 5 years of experience
- Master Degree plus 3 years of experience
- Doctorate plus 0 years of experience
Level 3
- Bachelor Degree plus 9 years of experience
- Master Degree plus 7 years of experience
- Doctorate plus 5 years of experience
Level 4
- Bachelor Degree plus 12 years of experience
- Master Degree plus 10 years of experience
- Doctorate plus 8 years of experience
Career Growth
How HSAEs Grow Across Levels
Growth in this role comes from stronger troubleshooting judgment, better schematic analysis, cleaner test discipline, broader fabrication skill, and the ability to connect prototype evidence to engineering decisions.
At GS Consulting, HSAE growth can lead deeper into hardware and software design, digital circuit design, systems engineering, prototype integration, mission platform development, technical leadership, or broader mission engineering roles.
Why GS Consulting
A Smaller Team Close to the Prototype
GS Consulting takes a direct approach to cleared mission support. We care whether the person in the seat can read the schematic, debug the assembly, run the test, document the result, and help the customer move from prototype to reliable capability.
HSAE work is not generic lab support. It takes hands on judgment, test discipline, practical repair instincts, and the ability to connect what happens on the bench to what the mission needs.
Role Questions
Hardware and Software Analysis Engineer FAQ
What does a Hardware and Software Analysis Engineer do?
A Hardware and Software Analysis Engineer supports development, fabrication, testing, debugging, and installation of electrical, electronic, mechanical, and software products. The role includes prototype assembly, schematic analysis, circuit verification, environmental testing, quality assurance testing, and practical troubleshooting for mission hardware and software systems.
What clearance is required for GS Consulting HSAE roles?
GS Consulting Hardware and Software Analysis Engineer roles require an active TS/SCI clearance. Candidates must also be able to meet customer, contract, and site access requirements for the specific billet. If additional customer screening is required, that will be handled during recruiting rather than posted as public qualification language.
What are the HSAE levels 1, 2, 3, and 4?
HSAE levels reflect increasing experience with prototype fabrication, hardware and software testing, schematic analysis, circuit verification, environmental testing, and system integration. Level 1 starts at 0 to 2 years depending on education path. Level 2 ranges from 0 to 5 years. Level 3 ranges from 5 to 9 years. Level 4 ranges from 8 to 12 years.
How is HSAE different from HSDE?
A Hardware and Software Design Engineer focuses more on designing and developing hardware and software components. A Hardware and Software Analysis Engineer focuses more on fabrication support, prototype assembly, debugging, testing, schematic analysis, environmental testing, and verification. The roles overlap, but HSAE work is closer to practical analysis and test.
What practical experience is useful for HSAE candidates?
Useful experience includes electronics repair, computer repair, robotics, electrician work, appliance repair, machine shop work, wood shop work, electronic shop work, prototype assembly, schematic troubleshooting, test equipment use, environmental testing, quality assurance testing, and hands on work with circuits or communication systems.
What skills make a strong Hardware and Software Analysis Engineer candidate?
Strong candidates are practical troubleshooters. They can read schematics, assemble and modify prototypes, debug hardware and software behavior, test circuits, document results, perform quality checks, and communicate clearly with engineers, technicians, installers, and mission stakeholders.
What does a Hardware and Software Analysis Engineer earn?
Estimated compensation for GS Consulting Hardware and Software Analysis Engineer roles ranges from $110,000 to $220,000 per year. Final compensation depends on HSAE level, years of relevant experience, clearance status, technical depth, customer requirements, contract fit, and location expectations.
Are these Hardware and Software Analysis Engineer jobs onsite?
Yes. These HSAE positions support work in the Fort Meade, MD and Annapolis Junction area. Because the work is tied to cleared facilities, sensitive prototypes, mission hardware, software products, and customer requirements, candidates should expect onsite work rather than a remote arrangement.
How do I apply for GS Consulting HSAE roles?
Use the Apply for this Role button on this page or email your resume directly to info@gsconsultingllc.com. Include your active clearance level, hardware and software analysis experience, practical shop or maker experience, testing background, technical domains, and the HSAE level you believe matches your experience.
Ready to build and test the prototypes?
Send us your resume. Please include your active clearance level, hardware and software analysis experience, practical shop or maker experience, testing background, technical domains, and the specific HSAE level you are targeting.