Hardware Design Engineer

Actalent; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Level 2 Hardware Design Engineer to own failure analysis and reliability improvements for servers and networking hardware. The role involves board bring-up, high-layer PCBs, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to drive data-driven reliability improvements.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in digital design, high-speed interfaces, and hands-on debugging, with a focus on manufacturability and quality in data center environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.
• 15 years of experience with PCB design and board-level hardware design.
• Hands-on experience bringing up boards and debugging hardware issues.
• Strong knowledge of digital design principles and practices.
• Experience designing and troubleshooting PCBs with at least 6 layers.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting schematic diagrams.
• Experience using digital multimeters and related electronic test equipment.
• Experience with high-speed design for servers, routers, switches, security appliances, and storage devices.
• Ability to perform structured failure analysis and provide clear, actionable technical insights.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed failure analysis on hardware products, including servers, routers, switches, security appliances, and disk drives.
• Take ownership of hardware issue debugging from initial investigation through resolution and documentation.
• Bring up new and existing boards, including powering, configuring, and validating functionality at the board level.
• Design, review, and troubleshoot printed circuit boards (PCBs), including complex boards with a minimum of 6 layers.
• Analyze and interpret schematic diagrams to identify design issues and potential points of failure.
• Use digital multimeters and other test equipment to perform measurements, diagnostics, and validation on hardware assemblies.
• Apply strong digital design knowledge to evaluate high-speed interfaces and signal integrity on boards used in servers and networking equipment.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to provide clear, data-driven recommendations that improve product reliability and manufacturability.
• Support systems integration activities by ensuring hardware designs interact correctly with operational software and other system components.
• Document findings from failure analysis and debugging activities, and communicate results and corrective actions to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts in hardware design processes, test strategies, and quality standards.

Skills

PCB design

Board bring-up

Hardware debugging

Digital design

6+ layer PCBs

Schematic reading

DMM usage

High-speed design

Failure analysis

Education

Bachelors in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Tools

Digital multimeters

Job description

Job Title: Hardware Design Engineer

Job Description

The Level 2 Hardware Design Engineer contributes to the failure analysis and reliability improvement of hardware products across platforms such as servers and networking equipment. This role takes ownership of issue debugging, performs in-depth failure analyses, and supports both engineering and production teams with actionable insights that enhance product reliability, manufacturability, and overall quality. The position sits within an Engineering Services team that collaborates across departments to provide technical expertise in electronics, operational software, and systems integration.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed failure analysis on hardware products, including servers, routers, switches, security appliances, and disk drives.

• Take ownership of hardware issue debugging from initial investigation through resolution and documentation.

• Bring up new and existing boards, including powering, configuring, and validating functionality at the board level.

• Design, review, and troubleshoot printed circuit boards (PCBs), including complex boards with a minimum of 6 layers.

• Analyze and interpret schematic diagrams to identify design issues and potential points of failure.

• Use digital multimeters and other test equipment to perform measurements, diagnostics, and validation on hardware assemblies.

• Apply strong digital design knowledge to evaluate high-speed interfaces and signal integrity on boards used in servers and networking equipment.

• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to provide clear, data-driven recommendations that improve product reliability and manufacturability.

• Support systems integration activities by ensuring hardware designs interact correctly with operational software and other system components.

• Document findings from failure analysis and debugging activities, and communicate results and corrective actions to cross-functional stakeholders.

• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts in hardware design processes, test strategies, and quality standards.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.

• 15 years of experience with PCB design and board-level hardware design.

• Hands-on experience bringing up boards and debugging hardware issues.

• Strong knowledge of digital design principles and practices.

• Experience designing and troubleshooting PCBs with at least 6 layers.

• Proficiency in reading and interpreting schematic diagrams.

• Experience using digital multimeters and related electronic test equipment.

• Experience with high-speed design for servers, routers, switches, security appliances, and storage devices such as disk drives and hard drives.

• Ability to perform structured failure analysis and provide clear, actionable technical insights.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with server and networking hardware in data center or enterprise environments.

• Familiarity with board bring-up processes, including power sequencing, interface testing, and functional validation.

• Understanding of systems integration concepts involving electronics, operational software, and hardware platforms.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering and production teams.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail in hardware diagnostics and design review.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills for documenting and presenting technical findings.

Work Environment

This role is based onsite Monday through Friday in a manufacturing and engineering environment in Fremont. The Hardware Design Engineer works closely with cross-functional teams in an Engineering Services setting that supports data center hardware, including servers and networking equipment. The environment involves hands-on work with electronic test equipment, PCBs, and assembled systems, with a focus on high-speed designs and complex board architectures. The culture emphasizes growth, collaboration, and technical excellence, driven by strong demand for data center hardware and continuous improvement in product reliability and quality.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Fremont, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $150000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Health Benefits: - Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage - Available after completing 30 days of employment. Vacation Benefits / PTO - Accrue 12 vacations days per year for the first 3 years of employment. Sick Pay: - 5 days of sick pay per year Holidays: - 9 standard holidays observed Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Option available to help manage out-of-pocket health expenses Health Savings Account (HSA) - Tax-advantaged savings account designated to help individuals save for medical expenses 401(k) Plan: - 2% company matching with a minimum employee contribution of 4% Tuition Reimbursement Program: - Support available for further education and professional development after 6 months of being with the company

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Fremont,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 12, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.