Hardware Engineer

NUVACORE; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

NUVACORE is building a ground-up high-performance, low-power CPU server platform for data center workloads. We seek a Hardware Board Design Engineer to own architecture, schematic capture, PCB layout oversight, and lab bring-up from concept to prototype.

You will collaborate with Package, SI PI, Thermal, and Software teams to deliver robust systems, optimize PCIe Gen6/7, DDR5, and CXL interfaces, and ensure reliable power delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in EE/related field required.
• 5+ years of experience in high-speed hardware board design.
• Experience with high-speed interfaces (PCIe, DDR, USB).
• Proven PDN design and VRMs experience for high current rails.
• Hands-on lab debugging and test equipment experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of complex multi-layer server boards and risers.
• Own schematic capture, hierarchical designs, and component selection prioritizing efficiency and reliability.
• Collaborate with PCB layout engineers on stackups, routing, and shielding.
• Work with Silicon, Package Design, and SI PI teams on high-speed interface co-design (PCIe Gen6/Gen7, DDR5, CXL).
• Design power delivery paths (VRMs, multiphase buck) to support ultra high-power CPUs.
• Lead bring-up, validation, and debugging of prototype boards with lab tools.
• Create fabrication and assembly docs (Gerbers, BOMs, ODB++) and assist mass production.

Skills

High speed design knowledge

Power delivery design

Lab skills

Schematic capture & componentSelection

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Master's degree (nice to have)

Tools

Cadence Allegro

OrCAD

Altium Designer

Concept HDL

Job description

Nuvacore is building a ground-up high performance, low-power CPU for next generation compute workloads. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Hardware Board Design Engineer to drive the architecture, design, and development of next generation, high performance, and energy efficient CPU server solutions for data center applications. In this role, you will be responsible for the end to end hardware development life cycle, from initial concept and feasibility studies to schematic capture, PCB layout oversight, component selection, and laboratory brings up. You will collaborate closely with cross functional teams—including Package Design, Signal Power Integrity (SI PI), Thermal Mechanical Engineering, and Software Firmware to deliver robust, scalable, and cutting edge system platform hardware.

ROLE

• Board Level Architecture & Design: Lead the design and development of complex, multi layer, high density interconnect (HDI) server motherboards, baseboards, and riser cards optimized for data center workloads.
• Schematic Capture & Component Selection: Ownership of schematic entry, creation of complex hierarchical designs, and rigorous component selection prioritizing power efficiency, thermal performance, and long term reliability.
• Layout Collaboration: Work hand in hand with PCB layout engineers to define board stack ups, routing constraints, component placement, and shielding strategies.
• Cross Functional Alignment: Collaborate tightly with the Silicon, Package Design, and SI PI teams to implement optimal co design methodologies for high speed interfaces (e.g PCIe Gen6 Gen7, DDR5 LPDDR6, CXL) and robust power delivery networks (PDN).
• Power & Thermal Management: Design highly efficient, high current power delivery paths (VRMs, multiphase buck converters) capable of supporting ultra high power CPUs while meeting strict data center energy efficiency metrics.
• Bring up, Validation & Debug: Lead the hands on hardware bring up, debugging, and validation of prototype boards in the lab using high speed oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and specialized test equipment.
• Manufacturing Support: Generate comprehensive fabrication and assembly documentation (Gerbers, BOMs, ODB++) Partner with fabrication houses and EMS partners to resolve DFM DFA DFT issues and ensure smooth mass production transitions.

REQUIREMENTS — MUST HAVE

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience: 5+ years of professional experience in high speed hardware board design, ideally focused on enterprise servers, data center hardware, or complex computing platforms.
• EDA Tools: High proficiency in industry standard schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g Cadence Allegro, Concept HDL, OrCAD, or Altium Designer).
• High Speed Design Knowledge: Direct experience designing with high speed serial parallel interfaces (such as PCIe, DDR LPDDR, or USB) and understanding basic SI PI constraints.
• Power Delivery: Proven experience with board level power distribution design, DC DC converters, and multi phase VRMs supporting high current rails.
• Lab Skills: Strong hands on laboratory experience with hardware debugging, rework, and using diagnostic equipment (DMMs scopes, network analyzers).

REQUIREMENTS — NICE TO HAVE

• Education: Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.
• Advanced Data Center Experience: 10+ years deep understanding of data center server architectures, OCP (Open Compute Project) standards, and system topologies (e CPU sockets, high speed riser configurations, and BMC sub systems).
• Silicon Package Board Co Design: Familiarity with the interplay between advanced semiconductor packaging (e chiplets, 2 5D bridges) and high density PCB implementation.
• Simulation & Modeling: Familiarity with SI PI and thermal simulation concepts using tools such as Ansys (SIwave HFSS), Cadence Sigrity, or HyperLynx to guide early stage design constraints.
• Manufacturing Integration: Strong background in optimizing layouts for high volume manufacturing, minimizing layer counts while maintaining performance, and handling DFX (Design for Manufacturing Assembly Test) validation.
• Self Driven & Collaborative: Excellent communication and cross functional collaboration skills, with the ability to thrive in a fast paced startup like environment.

$140,000 - $250,000 a year