Entry Level Hardware Developer 2027 -Austin

IBM Computing; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM in Austin seeks a hardware development engineer to contribute to validation and delivery of processor, memory, and enterprise system technologies. You will work with multidisciplinary teams to ensure quality, performance, reliability, and manufacturability across the product lifecycle.

The role emphasizes test design, automation, data analysis, and collaboration to drive robust engineering outcomes in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related STEM field.
• Basic understanding of computer architecture, electronic systems, semiconductor technologies, hardware validation, or test engineering concepts.
• Experience with programming, scripting, data analysis, or automation using languages such as Python, C/C++, Java, or similar technologies.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving, analytical, and debugging skills through coursework, research, internships, or project experience.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute hardware, processor, memory, and system-level test and validation solutions to ensure product quality and manufacturing readiness.
• Design, enable, and optimize test methodologies across development, characterization, qualification, manufacturing, and field support environments.
• Support product reliability, qualification, and burn-in activities to ensure robust product operation throughout the lifecycle.
• Analyze engineering and manufacturing data to identify issues, improve product performance, and drive data-informed decisions.
• Build software and automation solutions that enable hardware and firmware validation, test infrastructure, manufacturing operations, engineering analytics, improve productivity, operational efficiency, and adoption of AI-native engineering workflows across the product lifecycle.
• Collaborate with design, architecture, firmware, manufacturing, suppliers, and quality teams to solve complex technical challenges and deliver innovative technology solutions.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Java

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Introduction

At IBM, work is more than a job. It's an opportunity to help shape the technology that powers some of the world's most critical computing environments. Our teams collaborate across hardware, software, firmware, test, quality, manufacturing, and system engineering disciplines to deliver innovative processor, memory, and infrastructure technologies.

We're looking for curious problem-solvers who are passionate about technology and motivated by complex engineering challenges. Whether you're developing test solutions, driving product quality, enabling manufacturing, advancing next-generation validation methodologies, or leveraging AI and automation to transform engineering workflows, you'll work alongside experts who are defining the future of enterprise computing.

If you're ready to innovate, collaborate, and make an impact on technology used around the world, we'd like to talk with you.

Your role and responsibilities

As part of our hardware development and product engineering team, you will contribute to the development, validation, qualification, and delivery of IBM's industry-leading processor, memory, and enterprise system technologies. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams, you will help ensure products meet the highest standards for quality, performance, reliability, and manufacturability across the entire product lifecycle.

Engineers within our organization participate in a broad range of activities, including:

• Develop and execute hardware, processor, memory, and system-level test and validation solutions to ensure product quality and manufacturing readiness.
• Design, enable, and optimize test methodologies across development, characterization, qualification, manufacturing, and field support environments.
• Support product reliability, qualification, and burn-in activities to ensure robust product operation throughout the lifecycle.
• Analyze engineering and manufacturing data to identify issues, improve product performance, and drive data-informed decisions.
• Build software and automation solutions that enable hardware and firmware validation, test infrastructure, manufacturing operations, engineering analytics, improve productivity, operational efficiency, and adoption of AI-native engineering workflows across the product lifecycle.
• Collaborate with design, architecture, firmware, manufacturing, suppliers, and quality teams to solve complex technical challenges and deliver innovative technology solutions.

Required technical and professional expertise

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related STEM field.
• Basic understanding of computer architecture, electronic systems, semiconductor technologies, hardware validation, or test engineering concepts.
• Experience with programming, scripting, data analysis, or automation using languages such as Python, C/C++, Java, or similar technologies.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving, analytical, and debugging skills through coursework, research, internships, or project experience.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related STEM field.
• Experience through internships, co‑ops, research, or academic projects in hardware development, semiconductor technologies, system validation, or test engineering.
• Knowledge of computer architecture, microprocessors, memory subsystems, storage technologies, or embedded systems.
• Familiarity with programming and automation using languages such as Python, C/C++, Java, or similar tools.
• Exposure to AI‑assisted engineering workflows, data analytics, hardware characterization, reliability testing, or manufacturing test environments.

IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.