Sr. Hardware Engineer

Supermicro; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Supermicro is seeking an experienced Senior Power DC-DC Hardware Engineer to drive end-to-end power delivery design for next-generation server platforms. You will lead architecture, schematic capture, layout constraints, and validation of DC-DC converters and VRMs.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in board-level power design for server hardware, deep SMPS expertise, and strong collaboration across hardware, firmware, and validation teams.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on hardware engineering experience focused on board-level DC-DC power design for server hardware.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering or related discipline.
• Deep knowledge of SMPS topologies (buck, multiphase buck, boost) and VR controllers.
• Proficiency with PMBus/I2C and schematic/netlist tools; strong lab skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end power architecture, schematic capture, and BOM for high-current server power delivery systems.
• Perform component sizing, worst-case analysis, and SOA assessments for MOSFETs, inductors, and controllers.
• Define PCB power layer stackups and high-current routing with PI/EMI focus.
• Direct bring-up, loop stabilization, and dynamic load transient tuning across environments.
• Drive root-cause investigations with cross-functional teams (SI, thermal, firmware, validation).
• Mentor junior engineers and align with silicon partners and vendors.

Skills

Power electronics

DC-DC design

VRMs multiphase

PMBus I2C

Schematic capture

Lab debugging

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in electrical engineering

Tools

Cadence Allegro

OrCAD Capture

Job description

Job Req ID: 30146

About Supermicro:

Supermicro is a Top Tier provider of advanced server, storage, and networking solutions for Data Center, Cloud Computing, Enterprise IT, Hadoop/ Big Data, Hyperscale, HPC and IoT/Embedded customers worldwide. We are the #5 fastest growing company among the Silicon Valley Top 50 technology firms. Our unprecedented global expansion has provided us with the opportunity to offer a large number of new positions to the technology community. We seek talented, passionate, and committed engineers, technologists, and business leaders to join us.

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Senior Power DC-DC Hardware Engineer to drive end-to-end power delivery design for next-generation server platforms. In this role, you will lead the architecture, schematic design, layout constraint definitions, and comprehensive validation of complex board-level DC-DC converters and voltage regulator modules (VRMs). You will serve as a technical subject matter expert, resolving complex cross-functional challenges and mentoring junior engineers.

The ideal candidate is self-motivated, results-driven, and passionate about developing best-in-class server products with outstanding performance and reliability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Power Architecture & Design: Lead the end-to-end design, schematic capture, and BOM selection for high-current server motherboard DC-DC power delivery systems, including multiphase voltage regulator modules (VRMs), point-of-load (POL) regulators, and power management circuits.
• Component Evaluation & Modeling: Perform component sizing, worst-case stress analysis, power loss calculations, and safe operating area (SOA) assessments for MOSFETs, power stages, inductors, controllers, and passive filtering networks.
• PCB Layout & PI Direction: Establish PCB power layer stackup constraints, define high-current routing strategies to minimize parasitic inductance and loop resistance, and collaborate closely with CAD/layout engineers on power integrity (PI) and EMI compliance.
• Hardware Bring-Up & Lab Validation: Direct the bring-up, loop stability compensation, dynamic load transient tuning, ripple/noise verification, and power efficiency profiling across line, load, and temperature extremes.
• Cross-Functional Issue Resolution: Drive root-cause investigations and failure analysis (FMEA) for complex board- and system-level power anomalies in coordination with signal integrity, thermal, mechanical, firmware, and validation teams.
• Design Standards & Vendor Alignment: Interface with silicon partners and component vendors on custom part evaluations, roadmap alignment, and technical support; establish and document internal power design guidelines, review checklists, and validation standards.
• Technical Mentorship: Review schematics and layout artwork from junior engineers, providing technical guidance and mentoring across the hardware engineering team.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, Power Electronics, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of hands-on hardware engineering experience with a primary focus on board-level DC-DC power design and server or enterprise computing hardware.
• Technical Proficiencies:
  • In-depth expertise in switch-mode power supply (SMPS) topologies (synchronous buck, multiphase buck, boost, isolated/non-isolated DC-DC converters).
  • Strong knowledge of multiphase VR controllers (e.g., IMVP/VR13/VR14 or equivalent), smart power stages (SPS/DrMOS), and digital power telemetry (PMBus, I2C, SVID).
  • Proficiency in schematic capture and netlist management tools (e.g., Cadence Allegro Design Entry HDL / OrCAD Capture).
  • Advanced lab skills using high-bandwidth digital oscilloscopes, electronic loads, programmable DC power supplies, frequency response analyzers.
  • Solid understanding of server power architectures, enterprise CPU/GPU/memory power delivery constraints, and fault protection mechanisms (OVP, OCP, UVP, OTP).
• Communication & Leadership: Proven track record of independently driving power hardware projects, resolving high-impact technical blockers, and collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Salary Range

$155,000 - $175,000

The offered will depend on several factors, including your location, level, education, training, specific skills, years of experience, and comparison to other employees already in this role. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation, such as participation in bonus and equity award programs.

EEO Statement

Supermicro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity in our employee population. It is the policy of Supermicro to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or special disabled veteran, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.