Principal Hardware Engineer

This role has been designed as Onsite with an expectation that you will primarily work from an HPE office.

Job Description

Designs, analyzes, develops, modifies and evaluates electrical/electronic parts, components, sub-systems, algorithms, or integrated circuitry for electrical/electronic equipment and other hardware systems. Conducts feasibility studies, design margin and validation analyses and empirical testing on new and modified designs. Assists in architecture development and assessment. Evaluates reliability of materials, properties, designs, and techniques used in production. May direct support personnel in the preparation of detailed design, design testing and prototype fabrication.

Management Level Definition

Contributions have visible technical impact on a product or major subcomponent. Applies in-depth professional knowledge and innovative ideas to solve complex problems. Visible contributions improve time-to-market, achieve cost reductions, or satisfy current and future unmet customer needs. Recognized internal authority on key technology area applying innovative principles and ideas. Provides technical leadership for significant project/program work. Leads or participates in cross‑functional initiatives and contributes to mentorship and knowledge sharing across the organization.

About the Position

Expert hardware systems engineer working with architects, product line managers, software engineers, test engineers and NPI teams to develop cutting‑edge, high‑end routing platforms. Will be involved with product development from concept to mass production and customer support.

Location & Eligibility

Role requires 2+ days a week in the Sunnyvale office. This position does not have sponsorship ability. It requires a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder.

Responsibilities

• Participate in product feasibility and definition
• Specifications, schematics, BOMs, prototype lab bring‑up and maintenance, hardware test plans and reports
• Serve as technical lead and collaborate with hardware engineering teams: signal integrity, power, thermal, PCB design, mechanical, DFM/DFT, lab technicians
• Review/approve test reports and support EDVT, MDVT, NEBs, HALT, Safety, EMC teams
• Participate in defining diagnostics tests for manufacturing and development
• Training and support of manufacturing, customer support and sustaining teams
• Collaborate with technical publications team, software, test and diagnostics engineering
• Work with program manager and engineering lead to provide project status
• Work with component engineering and commodity managers on external component selection and qualification
• Interface with external component suppliers on implementation and debug
• Mentor and review the work of junior hardware engineers
• Flexible hours to accommodate collaboration with engineering teams across geographies

Minimum Qualifications

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
• 10+ years of experience with board design and/or FPGA design
• Expert level proficiency in electrical circuit and schematic design, including experience with embedded CPU and SoC subsystems
• Deep knowledge of systems design considerations from many angles including software, firmware, BIOS, PCB layout, signal integrity, mechanical, thermal, power, EMI compliance, manufacturability, testability, MTBF and COGS
• Proficient in advanced design techniques for multilayer, high‑speed printed circuit boards
• Experience with design and debug of PCIe, Ethernet, I2C, clocks, high‑speed SerDes and high‑speed memory interfaces
• Hands‑on experience and strong debugging proficiency using lab measurement equipment such as high‑speed oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers and VNAs
• Experience with FPGA design and operation; proficiency with Verilog programming, FPGA simulation and synthesis process
• Experience in a Unix/Linux environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing network routers and switches to high volume quantities with outstanding production quality
• Understanding of core routing, edge routing, switching, forwarding, switch fabrics, WAN interfaces, pluggable optics (QSFP‑DD, OSFP), campus and data center customer network design, testing, deployment and troubleshooting
• Hands‑on experience testing complex L2/L3 products with Ethernet packet generators such as Ixia or Spirent
• Industry experience using Cadence Allegro PCB Designer layout tool and ePD/Viewlogic schematic capture tool
• Python, Perl or TCL programming skills; scripting and test automation experience

Benefits

Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive suite of benefits supporting physical, financial and emotional wellbeing.

Personal & Professional Development: Programs to help you reach career goals, including knowledge expertise and cross‑division skill application.

Unconditional Inclusion: Inclusive work environment celebrating individual uniqueness and supporting flexibility.

Salary

Expected annual salary for this position in the United States: $153,500 - $310,500 (California). Variable incentives may also be offered.

EEO Statement

HPE is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Veterans / Disabled / LGBT employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or any other protected category, and all decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is an EEO Protected Veteran / Individual with Disabilities employer. HPE will comply with all applicable laws related to employer use of arrest and conviction records, including laws requiring consideration of qualified applicants with criminal histories.