Sr. System Hardware Design Engineer (High Speed Design)
Location:
Milpitas, CA Duration:
12 months + possible contract to hire beyond a year
Ideal Start Date:
8/31/2026
Work Schedule:
5 days a week onsite
US Persons Only Background Check and Drug Screen Both Required Project Details:
Our client is seeking a Senior System Hardware Design Engineer to support the development of next-generation high-speed embedded hardware platforms. This role will be responsible for the complete hardware design lifecycle, from system architecture and board-level design through validation, manufacturing support, and product release. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience designing high-speed digital systems (10 Gbps+), performing signal integrity simulations, collaborating with PCB layout teams, and working cross-functionally with firmware, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and customer support to deliver robust, production-ready products. Duties /
Responsibilities:
Design and develop high-speed digital circuit boards and system-level hardware for embedded platforms. Perform board-level architecture, schematic design, component selection, and system integration. Execute high-speed signal integrity and timing simulations using tools such as HSPICE, HyperLynx, ADS, HFSS, or similar. Develop PCB layout guidelines and collaborate with external PCB layout providers to ensure optimal high-speed performance. Perform board bring-up, debugging, and hardware validation in partnership with firmware and logic engineering teams. Develop board- and system-level test plans, validation procedures, and characterization testing. Analyze and verify test data to ensure compliance with electrical and engineering specifications. Support manufacturing, production transfers, and customer support by troubleshooting hardware-related issues. Partner with Mechanical Engineering on enclosure design and integration of electrical and mechanical assemblies. Assist with EMC/EMI compliance, testing, and certification activities. Utilize advanced laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and logic analyzers to debug and validate hardware designs.
Musts:
Bachelor s or master s degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering (master s preferred). 10+ years of experience designing high-performance system- and board-level embedded hardware. Strong experience with high-speed digital design (10 Gbps+). Expertise with modern high-speed interfaces including: PCIe
USB SAS/SATA
Ethernet Experience performing signal integrity, timing, and jitter analysis. Proficiency with simulation tools such as HSPICE, HyperLynx, ADS, HFSS, or equivalent. Strong understanding of PCB layout best practices for high-speed digital designs. Experience with high-speed clock design, implementation, and measurement. Hands-on experience debugging complex hardware using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and network analyzers. Knowledge of EMC/EMI mitigation techniques at both the PCB and component levels. Experience supporting manufacturing, product validation, and production release activities. Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across hardware, firmware, mechanical, manufacturing, and support teams.
Pluses:
FPGA development experience. Experience transferring products from development into manufacturing. Strong systems-level mindset with the ability to optimize hardware across electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing disciplines.
