Hardware Board Design Engineer
$180,500 - $270,700 USD yearly
Originally posted 7 May 2026 by the employer.
About the role
This role is responsible for board-level execution of complex server platforms, working closely with a platform architect to translate architectural intent into manufacturable hardware across schematic capture, layout execution, bring-up, validation support, and production readiness. The team develops reference platforms based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon SoC for data center applications.
What you'll do
- Own end-to-end board execution from concept through EVT/DVT/PVT and production. - Work closely with the platform/system architect to translate architecture into board-level implementation while evaluating feasibility, risks, cost, schedule, and tradeoffs. - Lead schematic capture using OrCAD and manage PCB layout using Cadence Allegro for high-speed, high-power, dense, multi-layer server PCBs. - Drive cross-functional execution with SIPI, SoC, firmware, software, packaging, validation, and manufacturing teams. - Lead board bring-up, debug activities, and functional validation triage and root-cause analysis. - Support manufacturing ramp, factory bring-up, board spins, and ECO validation.
What you'll need
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field with 6+ years of relevant experience (or Master's with 5+ years, or PhD with 4+ years). - Experience in server or high-performance compute hardware design. - Hands-on experience with high-speed interfaces including PCIe, DDR, Ethernet, SerDes, and management interfaces. - Technical understanding of SIPI, PDN, thermal design, EMI, and compliance requirements. - Hands-on experience using lab debug tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers.
Nice to have
- Master's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering. - 10 years of platform-level hardware ownership or experience as a board lead/execution lead alongside a system architect. - FPGA/PLD bring-up and debug experience. - Working knowledge of Python, TCL, or PERL for debug and automation.
Skills: board design, schematic capture, PCB layout, PCIe, DDR, SerDes
This role has been open 170 days — well above the 112-day median for Hardware Systems Engineering roles.
Hardware Systems Engineering · Serdes Highspeed
|
Open roles in category
92
|
Median days open
112 d
|
Median salary
$200k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, skills in demand, and who else is hiring
| Metric | Qualcomm | All employers we track in this specialty (92 roles · 35 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 9 | 92 |
| Open roles in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family | 739 | 6277 · 144 employers |
| Median days open | 199 d | 112 d (+87 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $200k |
Skills observed across this category: board design, schematic capture, PCB layout, PCIe, DDR, SerDes
Who's hiring in this category
- NVIDIA · 14 open roles · median 53 d
- Qualcomm (this employer) · 9 open roles · median 199 d
- AMD · 5 open roles · median 131 d
- Astera Labs · 4 open roles · median 38 d
- Intel Corporation · 4 open roles · median 14 d
- Keysight Technologies · 4 open roles · median 152 d
How we counted: 92 open Hardware Systems Engineering (Serdes Highspeed) roles from 35 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 25 Oct 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there — it is counted in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family row. Figures refresh nightly.