Hardware Component Engineer

Katalyst CRO; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Katalyst CRO is seeking a skilled Hardware Component Engineer in Irvine, CA to lead selection, qualification, and lifecycle management of electronic and electromechanical components for hardware products.

You will collaborate with design, sourcing, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers to ensure reliability, compliance, and cost optimization through the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering or related discipline.
• 3-8 years of experience in hardware component engineering or related field.
• Strong understanding of electronic components including passive devices, semiconductors, connectors, sensors, power devices, and electromechanical parts.
• Experience with PCB assemblies and electronic product development.
• Ability to read schematics and component datasheets.
• Familiarity with component qualification, reliability analysis, and lifecycle management.
• Experience with PLM/ERP systems and BOM management.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Select and qualify electronic and electromechanical components for new product development.
• Review datasheets and evaluate specifications, performance, and design suitability.
• Support design teams with component selection, alternate part recommendations, and design reviews.
• Maintain and manage AMLs and AVL databases.
• Monitor component lifecycle (EOL/NRND/PCN) and identify replacements.
• Perform component qualification, validation, and reliability assessments.
• Coordinate with suppliers to obtain samples and review qualification documentation.
• Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations.
• Ensure RoHS/REACH and other environmental compliance.
• Support ECO/ECN related to component updates.
• Collaborate with procurement to identify alternate sources and improve availability.
• Contribute to BOM optimization to reduce cost while maintaining quality.
• Prepare technical documentation and qualification reports.

Skills

Component selection

Lifecycle management

Failure analysis

ECN support

Sourcing coordination

BOM optimization

PLM/ERP knowledge

Technical documentation

Supplier coordination

Reliability analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering or related field

Tools

Altium Designer

Cadence Allegro

OrCAD

Job description

Summary

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Hardware Component Engineer to join our engineering team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for the selection, qualification, lifecycle management, and technical support of electronic and electromechanical components used in hardware products. The role requires close collaboration with hardware design, sourcing, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers to ensure component reliability, availability, compliance, and cost optimization throughout the product lifecycle.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Select and qualify electronic and electromechanical components for new product development.


• Review component datasheets and evaluate specifications, performance, and suitability for design requirements.


• Support hardware design teams with component selection, alternate part recommendations, and design reviews.


• Maintain and manage approved component libraries, Approved Manufacturer Lists (AML), and Approved Vendor Lists (AVL).


• Monitor component lifecycle, including End-of-Life (EOL), Not Recommended for New Design (NRND), and Product Change Notifications (PCN), and proactively identify replacement components.


• Perform component qualification, validation, and reliability assessments.


• Coordinate with suppliers and manufacturers to resolve technical issues, obtain samples, and review qualification documentation.


• Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations related to component failures and field returns.


• Ensure components comply with applicable environmental and regulatory standards such as RoHS and REACH.


• Support Engineering Change Orders (ECO) and Engineering Change Notices (ECN) related to component updates.


• Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to identify alternate sources and improve component availability.


• Contribute to BOM optimization initiatives to reduce product cost while maintaining quality and reliability.


• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, qualification reports, and component specifications.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE), Electrical & Electronics Engineering (EEE), or a related discipline.


• 3-8 years of experience in hardware component engineering, electronic hardware design, or component engineering.


• Strong understanding of electronic components, including passive components, semiconductors, connectors, sensors, power devices, and electromechanical parts.


• Experience with PCB assemblies and electronic product development.


• Ability to interpret electronic schematics and component datasheets.


• Knowledge of component qualification, reliability analysis, and lifecycle management.


• Experience working with PLM/ERP systems and component databases.


• Familiarity with BOM management and engineering change processes.


• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.


• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PCB design tools such as Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, OrCAD, or similar.


• Knowledge of IPC, JEDEC, IEC, and other electronics industry standards.


• Experience in EMC/EMI, thermal analysis, and reliability engineering.


• Understanding of supplier qualification and manufacturing processes.


• Experience in consumer electronics, industrial automation, automotive, aerospace, medical devices, or embedded hardware development.

Technical Skills

• Electronic component selection and qualification


• BOM management and optimization


• Component lifecycle management (EOL, NRND, PCN)


• Failure analysis and root cause analysis


• PCB assembly knowledge


• Hardware design support


• Reliability and derating analysis


• PLM/ERP systems


• Microsoft Excel and technical documentation


• Supplier technical coordination