Hardware Design 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 Engineer supports the development of board-level hardware solutions throughout the product lifecycle, from concept through production release. The role involves participation in hardware architecture definition, schematic design, component selection, board bring-up, validation, debugging, and design documentation activities.

Working closely with senior hardware engineers, PCB layout engineers, program managers, manufacturing teams, validation engineers, and application teams, the individual contributes to the delivery of high-quality, manufacturable, and cost-effective hardware solutions that meet customer and business requirements.

Responsibilities

Hardware Design & Development
• Support the development of board-level hardware designs based on system and product requirements.
• Translate functional requirements into schematic designs under the guidance of senior engineers.
• Create and maintain schematics using approved design tools and methodologies.
• Support component selection and qualification activities considering performance, availability, cost, and lifecycle requirements.
• Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) and associated engineering documentation.
• Collaborate with PCB Layout Engineers to define placement, routing, and design constraints.
• Participate in design reviews and implement recommended improvements.

Hardware Verification & Debug
• Support board bring-up and functional verification activities.
• Perform hardware debugging and root cause analysis using standard laboratory equipment.
• Support design validation and characterization activities.
• Assist in hardware issue resolution throughout the development lifecycle.
• Document test results, findings, and corrective actions.
• Support EMC, reliability, and compliance testing activities.

Project Execution & Collaboration
• Collaborate with hardware, software, validation, manufacturing, applications, and project management teams.
• Provide technical status updates and communicate design-related risks and issues.
• Support engineering change management and product sustainment activities.
• Contribute to lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support execution of projects to meet quality, schedule, and cost objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 2–5 years of experience in board-level hardware design and development.
• Knowledge of analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuit design fundamentals.
• Experience with schematic capture tools (Cadence preferred).
• Understanding of PCB design flow and hardware product development processes.
• Familiarity with component selection and BOM management.
• Experience using laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, power supplies, logic analyzers, and multimeters.
• Basic understanding of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT).
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using Cadence OrCAD Capture and Allegro design environments.
• Exposure to processor, microcontroller, or application processor-based designs.
• Knowledge of power supply design and PMIC implementation.
• Familiarity with high-speed interfaces such as DDR, Ethernet, USB, PCIe, CAN, SPI, I2C, and UART.
• Exposure to Signal Integrity (SI), Power Integrity (PI), and EMC concepts.
• Experience supporting board bring-up and validation activities.
• Familiarity with PLM systems and engineering change management processes.
• Experience supporting Automotive, Industrial, Networking, Wireless, or IoT applications.

Senior HW DE Competency Expectations

Technical Execution
• Independently completes assigned hardware design activities with moderate supervision.
• Applies engineering fundamentals to develop and debug hardware solutions.
• Produces quality schematics, documentation, and technical deliverables.
• Demonstrates continuous growth in technical knowledge and engineering skills.

Ownership & Accountability
• Takes ownership of assigned work packages and deliverables.
• Meets commitments and project deadlines.
• Escalates technical issues and risks appropriately.
• Demonstrates accountability for design quality and execution.

Problem Solving
• Uses structured methods to analyze technical issues and identify root causes.
• Evaluates alternatives and recommends practical solutions.
• Demonstrates initiative in resolving technical challenges.

Collaboration
• Works effectively within cross-functional and global teams.
• Participates actively in technical reviews and project discussions.
• Builds productive relationships with internal stakeholders.
• Incorporates feedback and continuously improves performance.

Learning & Growth
• Expands knowledge of board design technologies, tools, and methodologies.
• Learns and applies industry best practices and design standards.
• Demonstrates curiosity and willingness to take on increasing technical responsibility.

Communication
• Clearly communicates technical information, status, and risks.
• Provides timely project updates.
• Produces clear and professional engineering documentation.

Success Measures

• On-time completion of assigned hardware design deliverables.
• First-pass quality of schematics and design documentation.
• Effectiveness in board bring-up and issue resolution.
• Compliance with engineering standards and development processes.
• Reduction of design rework through quality execution.
• Positive stakeholder and project team feedback.
• Demonstrated technical growth and increased ownership of design activities.

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