Entry Level Hardware and Systems Engineer

IBM; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology company in Austin, Texas, is seeking a Hardware Engineer to design, prototype, and validate next-generation compute systems. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and have hands-on experience with hardware design and CAD tools. Responsibilities include developing mechanical and electrical components, testing hardware prototypes, and applying design-of-experiments methods to enhance performance. Strong analytical skills and collaboration are essential in this dynamic role.

Qualifications

• B.S. or advanced degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Materials, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering.
• Experience with design of experiments (DOE) and/or project management.
• Hands-on experience with hardware design and CAD tools.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and validate next-generation compute systems.
• Develop and optimize components using CAD and EDA tools.
• Build and test hardware prototypes, performing debug and analysis.

Skills

Design of experiments (DOE)

Project management

Hardware design

Programming (Python, C/C++, Bash)

Data-driven problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Allegro

Cadence

Job description

Introduction

IBM Hardware and Systems engineers design and deliver the compute platforms that power the world’s most advanced AI, cloud, and enterprise technologies. From silicon to system, our teams collaborate across mechanical, electrical, computer, materials, and firmware engineering to design, prototype, and test next-generation IBM hardware. These roles offer hands‑on opportunities to innovate across IBM’s high‑performance systems portfolio — shaping the technologies that define what’s next.

Your Role And Responsibilities

As part of IBM’s hardware development organization, you will design, prototype, and validate next-generation compute systems by integrating expertise across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and materials engineering.

Your Work May Include

• Developing and optimizing mechanical, thermal, and electrical components using CAD and EDA tools.
• Building and testing hardware prototypes, performing debug, failure analysis, and driving reliability and serviceability improvements.
• Modeling system‑level thermal and mechanical performance to enhance cooling, manufacturability, and efficiency.
• Creating and using automation, firmware, and data analysis tools for hardware validation and test.
• Applying design‑of‑experiments (DOE) methods to evaluate and improve processes, materials, and hardware designs.
• Supporting process and materials development, manufacturing readiness, and equipment IT integration within R&D environments.

You will have opportunities to work in areas such as:

• Physical and logic design
• Thermal and mechanical modeling
• Firmware and embedded systems
• Optics, photonics, and high‑speed interconnects
• Advanced materials, composites, and process development

Preferred Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Required Technical And Professional Expertise

*B.S. or advanced degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Materials, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

• Experience with design of experiments (DOE) and/or project management.
• Experience or strong interest in process development, materials development, or equipment IT support.
• Hands‑on experience with hardware design, CAD tools (SolidWorks, Allegro, Cadence), or modeling/simulation environments.
• Proficiency in one or more programming or scripting languages (Python, C/C++, Bash).
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with a focus on collaboration and data‑driven problem solving.

Preferred Technical And Professional Experience

*Lab‑based development or validation work skills.

• Advanced technical degrees (M.S. or Ph.D.) in relevant disciplines.
• Experience leading project teams or cross‑functional technical initiatives.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks and/or finite element modeling (FEM) tools.
• Experience with firmware architecture, testing, and automation.
• Background in thermal modeling (6Sigma, FEM), signal processing, or hardware reliability.
• Familiarity with optical systems, including fiber optics, photonics, and transceiver design.