Hardware Design & CAD Engineer

Overview

Hardware Solutions is a central team within NXP's GOE organization responsible for the design, manufacturing, compliance, and supply chain operations of hardware boards. The organization provides hardware solutions supporting multiple business units across automotive, industrial, IoT, networking, wireless, and consumer markets.

The Hardware Design & CAD Engineer supports the development of board solutions throughout the product lifecycle, from concept through production release. The role combines hardware design and PCB layout disciplines, enabling the engineer to contribute to schematic development, component selection, PCB implementation, validation, and documentation activities.

Working under the guidance of senior engineers, this individual collaborates with hardware designers, layout engineers, program managers, manufacturing teams, validation engineers, and application teams to deliver high-quality, manufacturable, and cost-effective hardware solutions.

Responsibilities

Hardware Design Support
• Support the development of board-level hardware designs based on system and product requirements.
• Assist in translating requirements into schematic designs and hardware implementations.
• Create, maintain, and review schematics using approved design tools and methodologies.
• Support component selection, BOM creation, and lifecycle management activities.
• Assist with design analysis and simulations to validate circuit functionality and performance.
• Participate in design reviews, incorporating feedback from cross-functional stakeholders.
• Support board bring-up, debugging, root cause analysis, and validation activities.
• Generate and maintain engineering documentation, including design reports, validation reports, and release packages.
• Support EMC, reliability, compliance, and manufacturing readiness activities.

CAD & PCB Layout Support
• Develop and maintain PCB layouts for multilayer board designs under established design guidelines.
• Request schematic symbols, PCB footprints, and CAD library components.
• Implement placement, routing, and layout constraints to support signal integrity, manufacturability, and performance requirements.
• Perform Design Rule Checks (DRC) and address identified layout issues.
• Generate fabrication, assembly, and manufacturing documentation.
• Support DFM, DFA, and DFT reviews.
• Collaborate with PCB fabricators and assembly partners to resolve design-related issues.

Project & Team Collaboration
• Collaborate with Design Engineers, CAD Engineers, Program Managers, Product Engineers, Validation Engineers, and Application Engineers.
• Participate in project planning activities and provide estimates for assigned tasks.
• Support issue resolution activities throughout the product lifecycle.
• Contribute to engineering process improvements, standardization initiatives, and lessons-learned activities.
• Communicate technical status, risks, and issues to stakeholders.
• Support successful execution of projects with respect to quality, cost, and schedule objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 3–6 years of experience in hardware design, PCB layout, CAD engineering, or a related field.
• Understanding of analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuit fundamentals.
• Experience using schematic capture and PCB design tools (Cadence preferred).
• Understanding of PCB design processes, fabrication, and assembly fundamentals.
• Familiarity with component selection, BOM management, and engineering documentation.
• Basic understanding of DFM, DFA, and DFT principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a global, cross-functional engineering environment.
• Experience with Cadence Allegro and OrCAD design tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to NXP processors, microcontrollers, or application processors.
• Knowledge of high-speed interfaces such as DDR, PCIe, Ethernet, USB, CAN, SPI, I2C, and UART.
• Exposure to Signal Integrity (SI), Power Integrity (PI), and EMC concepts.
• Experience supporting board bring-up, debug, and validation activities.
• Familiarity with PLM systems and engineering change management processes.
• Experience supporting Automotive, Industrial, Networking, IoT, or Consumer products.
• Experience with PCB stack-up definition and multilayer PCB technologies.

 Senior HW DE & CAD Competency Expectations

Technical Execution
• Completes assigned design and layout activities with moderate guidance.
• Applies engineering fundamentals to solve routine technical problems.
• Produces quality deliverables that meet engineering standards and project requirements.
• Demonstrates growing proficiency in both hardware design and PCB layout disciplines.

Ownership & Accountability
• Takes ownership of assigned tasks and deliverables.
• Delivers commitments within agreed timelines.
• Escalates risks and technical issues proactively.
• Demonstrates responsibility for quality and accuracy of work products.

Collaboration
• Works effectively within cross-functional and global teams.
• Builds productive working relationships with internal stakeholders.
• Actively participates in design reviews and team discussions.
• Incorporates feedback constructively and continuously improves performance.

Problem Solving
• Identifies issues through data analysis, testing, and debugging.
• Uses structured problem-solving techniques to evaluate alternatives and recommend solutions.
• Demonstrates initiative in resolving technical challenges within area of responsibility.

Learning & Growth
• Continuously develops knowledge of hardware design, PCB layout, and related technologies.
• Learns and applies engineering best practices, standards, and design methodologies.
• Seeks opportunities to broaden technical capabilities across both DE and CAD disciplines.

Communication
• Communicates technical information clearly and effectively.
• Provides regular status updates on assigned work.
• Documents designs, issues, and solutions with appropriate detail and clarity.

Success Measures

• On-time completion of design and layout deliverables.
• First-pass quality of schematics and PCB layouts.
• Accuracy and completeness of engineering documentation.
• Reduction of design rework and manufacturing issues.
• Effective collaboration with project teams and stakeholders.
• Compliance with engineering processes and standards.
• Demonstrated growth in both hardware design and CAD competencies.

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