Network Hardware Engineer, Infrastructure

Meta; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 173,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta is seeking a Network Hardware Engineer in Austin to design and scale physical network systems powering Meta's data center fleet. You will develop custom network hardware including switching platforms, optical interconnects, and high‑speed PCB assemblies for hyperscale infrastructure.

This role sits at the intersection of electrical engineering and network systems, translating architecture requirements into production-ready hardware deployed at scale, with cross‑functional collaboration with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or equivalent
• 8+ years in hardware/electrical engineering with a focus on data center networking or high-speed digital systems
• Experience designing and validating high-speed PCBs for networking applications at 50G/100G+
• Experience with hardware bring-up and debugging using lab instruments (oscilloscopes, TDRs, protocol analyzers)
• Experience working with ODMs or contract manufacturers through EVT, DVT, and PVT stages

Responsibilities

• Participate in product vision and strategy for data center switches and bring designs into large-scale production networks
• Define hardware architecture including liquid cooling, high-speed SerDes interfaces, optical modules, and management subsystems
• Lead electrical design for high-speed PCB layouts, SI analysis, and power delivery networks
• Collaborate with ASIC, firmware, and software teams to define hardware‑software interfaces
• Drive hardware bring-up, debug, and qualification of prototype systems in lab environments
• Partner with contract manufacturers/ODMs to translate designs into production equipment
• Develop hardware validation plans covering thermal, mechanical, power, and electrical compliance
• Document hardware designs, test results and failure analyses for reviews and readiness decisions

Skills

High-speed PCB design

SerDes interfaces

Hardware bring-up & debugging

ODM/CM collaboration

Network equipment experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

TDRs

Protocol analyzers

Lab test equipment

Job description

Summary:

Meta is seeking a Network Hardware Engineer to join the infrastructure team responsible for designing and scaling the physical network systems that power Meta's global data center fleet. In this role, you will drive the development of custom network hardware — including switching platforms, optical interconnects, and high‑speed PCB assemblies — that underpin the reliability and performance of Meta's hyperscale infrastructure. You will work at the intersection of electrical engineering and network systems, translating complex network architecture requirements into production‑ready hardware designs deployed at massive scale.

Required Skills:

Network Hardware Engineer, Infrastructure Responsibilities:

1. Participate in the product vision and strategy for data center switches with network engineering, and bring the designs from hardware concept into large‑scale production networks
2. Define hardware architecture, including liquid cooling, high‑speed SerDes interfaces, optical modules, and management subsystems
3. Lead the electrical design efforts for high‑speed PCB layouts, signal integrity analysis, and power delivery networks
4. Collaborate with ASIC, firmware, and network software teams to define hardware‑software interfaces and ensure the functional integration of custom silicon into network platforms
5. Drive hardware bring‑up, debug, and qualification of prototype network systems in lab environments using oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, and network test equipment
6. Partner with contract manufacturers and ODMs to translate hardware designs into production‑ready network equipment
7. Develop and execute hardware validation plans covering thermal, mechanical, power, and electrical compliance for network infrastructure equipment
8. Document hardware designs, test results, and failure analyses to support cross‑functional engineering reviews and manufacturing readiness decisions

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
2. 8+ years of experience in hardware or electrical engineering with a focus on network equipment, data center infrastructure, or high‑speed digital systems
3. Experience designing and validating high‑speed PCBs for networking applications, including signal integrity analysis for SerDes‑based interfaces at 50G, 100G, or higher data rates
4. Experience with hardware bring‑up and debug of complex network systems, including use of lab instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, TDRs, and network traffic generators
5. Experience working with ODMs or contract manufacturers through all the hardware development lifecycle stages, including EVT, DVT, and PVT

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience contributing to open networking hardware initiatives or custom silicon‑based switching platform development
2. Proficiency in Linux or other embedded environments
3. Background in large‑scale data center network infrastructure design, including fabric architectures and disaggregated hardware models
4. Experience working with cross functional engineering teams such as network engineering, software, manufacturing, power, signal integrity and optical teams, discussing architecture and system trade‑offs
5. Experience designing systems and boards using high‑power ASICs (>500W) and experience with OSFP, or co‑packaged optics module integration and characterization

Public Compensation:

$173,000/year to $245,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Industry:

Internet

Equal Opportunity:

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affir... Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].