Hardware Applications Engineer

Socket.dev; Saratoga (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a Hardware Applications Engineer to enable customers to design around our X2 switch and E1 DPU silicon. You will work with customer hardware teams on schematic and PCB reviews, and perform high‑speed signal integrity analysis to bring new data center networking platforms to market.

The role involves cross‑functional collaboration with silicon, package, SI/PI, firmware teams, plus occasional travel and training sessions. 8+ years in high‑speed PCB design are expected.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 8+ years hands‑on experience in PCB design, schematic capture, and layout review for high‑speed digital systems.
• Hands‑on experience with high‑speed serial technologies (PCIe, Ethernet SerDes) at 25G/50G/100G+ PAM4 rates.
• Deep understanding of signal integrity and power integrity simulation reports and how they influence layout improvements.
• Familiarity with high‑speed connector and cabling standards (OSFP, QSFP‑DD, QSFP, SFP‑DD, DAC).
• Experience designing hardware around switch ASICs or DPU/IPU silicon is a plus.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.

Responsibilities

• Conduct schematic reviews of customer boards integrating X2 switch or E1 DPU silicon, validating power delivery, reset/boot sequencing, and interface connections against Xsight design guidelines.
• Conduct PCB layout reviews focused on high‑speed SerDes routing (up to 224G PAM4), differential pair matching, impedance control, and breakout strategy for high pin‑count BGA packages.
• Support power integrity and PDN design reviews for high‑density silicon operating within tight power and thermal envelopes.
• Define detailed hardware test plans and proof‑of‑concept plans in support of customer evaluations.
• Collaborate with internal engineering teams to resolve customer design issues.
• Communicate cross‑functionally with Marketing, Sales, and R&D.
• Create and maintain hardware design‑in documentation and reference design collateral.
• Conduct technical training sessions and workshops on hardware design‑in practices.
• Provide ongoing post‑sales technical support.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Independent worker

Teamwork

Start-up adaptability

Travel readiness

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

VNA

TDR

Oscilloscope

BERT

Job description

This position will report to the Director of Customer Engineering within the Commercial team. As a Hardware Applications Engineer, you will play a hands‑on role in enabling Xsight customers to successfully design hardware around our X2 switch and E1 DPU silicon.

You’ll work directly with customer hardware teams on schematic reviews, PCB layout reviews, and high‑speed signal integrity analysis — helping bring new data center networking and DPU platforms to market.

This is a dynamic role, where day‑to‑day activities are shaped by the diversity of customer board designs and the breadth of Xsight’s silicon portfolio. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct schematic reviews of customer boards integrating X2 switch or E1 DPU silicon, validating power delivery, reset/boot sequencing, and interface connections against Xsight design guidelines.
• Conduct PCB layout reviews focused on high‑speed SerDes routing (up to 224G PAM4), differential pair matching, impedance control, and breakout strategy for high pin‑count BGA packages.
• Support power integrity and power delivery network (PDN) design reviews for high‑density silicon operating within tight power and thermal envelopes.
• Define detailed hardware test plans and proof‑of‑concept plans in support of customer evaluations.
• Collaborate with internal engineering teams (silicon, package, SI/PI, firmware) to resolve customer design issues.
• Communicate cross‑functionally with Marketing, Sales, and R&D.
• Create and maintain hardware design‑in documentation and reference design collateral.
• Conduct technical training sessions and workshops on hardware design‑in practices.
• Provide ongoing post‑sales technical support.

Required experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have valid, unrestricted authorization to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 8+ years of hands‑on experience in PCB design, schematic capture, and layout review for high‑speed digital systems.
• Hands‑on experience with high‑speed serial technologies (PCIe, Ethernet SerDes) at 25G/50G/100G+ PAM4 rates.
• Deep understanding of signal integrity and power integrity simulation reports, and the ability to translate that into recommendations for layout improvements.
• Familiarity with high‑speed connector and cabling standards (OSFP, QSFP-DD, QSFP, SFP-DD, DAC).
• Working knowledge of high pin‑count BGA/FCLBGA package design considerations, PDN design, and thermal management for high‑power ASICs.
• Customer service‑oriented mindset and strong communication skills, including fluency in English (written and verbal).
• Excellent problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Energized by a dynamic and demanding start‑up environment.
• Ability to support occasional travel. Things that would differentiate you from other candidates:
• Experience designing hardware around switch ASICs (e.g., Broadcom Tomahawk, Trident, Jericho, NVIDIA/Mellanox Spectrum, Marvell Teralynx, Prestera) or DPU/IPU/smartNIC silicon.
• Experience with PCIe Gen5 compliance testing and retimer/redriver architectures.
• Hands‑on lab experience with BERT, VNA, TDR, and high‑speed oscilloscope measurement for channel characterization.
• Experience with reference design bring‑up for switch systems or PCIe add‑in card platforms.
• Familiarity with DFM/DFT practices and working with contract manufacturers.
• Comfortable managing multiple projects and resolving technical issues under tight timelines.

Locations: Boston, MA Raleigh, NC San Jose, CA

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have valid, unrestricted authorization to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 8+ years of hands‑on experience in PCB design, schematic capture, and layout review for high‑speed digital systems.
• Hands‑on experience with high‑speed serial technologies (PCIe, Ethernet SerDes) at 25G/50G/100G+ PAM4 rates.
• Deep understanding of signal integrity and power integrity simulation reports, and the ability to translate that into recommendations for layout improvements.
• Familiarity with high‑speed connector and cabling standards (OSFP, QSFP-DD, QSFP, SFP-DD, DAC).
• Working knowledge of high pin‑count BGA/FCLBGA package design considerations, PDN design, and thermal management for high‑power ASICs.
• Customer service‑oriented mindset and strong communication skills, including fluency in English (written and verbal).
• Excellent problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Energized by a dynamic and demanding start‑up environment.
• Ability to support occasional travel. Things that would differentiate you from other candidates:
• Experience designing hardware around switch ASICs (e.g., Broadcom Tomahawk, Trident, Jericho, NVIDIA/Mellanox Spectrum, Marvell Teralynx, Prestera) or DPU/IPU/smartNIC silicon.
• Experience with PCIe Gen5 compliance testing and retimer/redriver architectures.
• Hands‑on lab experience with BERT, VNA, TDR, and high‑speed oscilloscope measurement for channel characterization.
• Experience with reference design bring‑up for switch systems or PCIe add‑in card platforms.
• Familiarity with DFM/DFT practices and working with contract manufacturers.
• Comfortable managing multiple projects and resolving technical issues under tight timelines.

Locations: Boston, MA Raleigh, NC San Jose, CA