Staff Hardware Engineer

Spectrum IT Recruitment; Buffalo Grove (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectrum IT Recruitment is seeking a full-time Staff Hardware Engineer in Buffalo Grove, IL. The role focuses on developing high-assurance embedded hardware from concept to production, with leadership responsibility across projects and cross-functional teams.

Applicants should have extensive hands-on hardware experience, PCB design/layout expertise, and strong problem-solving skills. On-site position with relocation assistance and a dynamic engineering environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on hardware development experience.
• 10+ years of PCB design experience using ECAD tools such as Altium Designer or equivalent.
• 5+ years of hands-on PCB layout experience, with recent activity in the last 10 years.
• Strong circuit testing, troubleshooting, and debugging capabilities.
• Experience with impedance control and length matching in PCB design.
• Experience designing microcontroller- and/or microprocessor-based systems.
• Proven track record of taking hardware projects from concept through to production.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative full-system embedded architectures for new products.
• Lead the design and development of hardware projects from initial concept through to production.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including software, firmware, mechanical engineering, sourcing and project management.
• Perform schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium Designer.
• Prototype and test new hardware designs.
• Debug, troubleshoot, and validate electronic circuits.
• Mentor other hardware engineers and provide technical guidance across the team.
• Develop detailed design specifications, schematics, and supporting documentation.
• Work with suppliers to source electronic components and assemblies.
• Manage project requirements and deadlines with PM to maintain schedules.

Skills

Hardware development

PCB design

PCB layout

Impedance control

Length matching

Testing and debugging

Measurement with test gear

Autonomy

Analytical problem-solving

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Engineering judgement

MCU/MPU systems design

From concept to production

Hardware/firmware/system diag

Oscilloscopes and analyzers

Automotive protocols knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

We are seeking a full-time Staff Hardware Engineer to join an established engineering team in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

The company develops innovative hardware and software products for the automotive aftermarket. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in hardware design and development, including a proven track record of taking complex products from initial concept through to production.

This is a senior technical position requiring deep hands-on engineering expertise, strong technical leadership, sound engineering judgement, and the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple disciplines.

Employment Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available for this position, now or in the future.

This is an on-site position based in Buffalo Grove, IL. Relocation assistance is available.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop innovative full-system embedded architectures for new products.
• Lead the design and development of hardware projects from initial concept through to production.
• Balance functional requirements with maintainability, reusability, scalability, extensibility, and cost effectiveness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software, firmware, mechanical engineering, sourcing, and project management, to ensure seamless integration of hardware solutions.
• Perform schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium Designer.
• Prepare PCB designs and projects for manufacturing.
• Prototype and test new hardware designs.
• Debug, troubleshoot, and validate electronic circuits.
• Participate in board bring-up alongside the firmware engineering team.
• Develop proof-of-concept firmware applications to test hardware functionality where appropriate; experience in this area is advantageous.
• Mentor other hardware engineers and provide technical guidance across the team.
• Develop detailed design specifications, schematics, and supporting technical documentation.
• Work with suppliers to source electronic components and finished assemblies.
• Manage project requirements and deadlines while working with Project Management to develop and maintain project schedules.
• Translate and break down functional requirements into clearly defined engineering tasks.
• Provide expert technical input into product planning and new product concepts.
• Maintain knowledge of emerging technologies and development practices, introducing relevant advancements where appropriate.
• Conduct technical research and evaluate new technologies, providing recommendations to engineering management.

Skills and Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on hardware development experience, with a proven track record of successfully delivering hardware products.
• 10+ years of PCB design experience using ECAD tools such as Altium Designer or equivalent.
• 5+ years of hands-on PCB layout experience, with at least 3 years of hands-on layout experience within the last 10 years.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven track record of technical leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical problems and develop innovative engineering solutions.
• Strong circuit testing, troubleshooting, and debugging capabilities.
• Experience with advanced PCB design techniques, including impedance control and length matching.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work autonomously while consistently meeting project deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative, flexible, and positive approach to working with others.
• Proven ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced engineering environment and deliver against agreed timelines.
• Excellent engineering judgement and decision-making capabilities.
• Experience designing microcontroller- and/or microprocessor-based systems.
• Proven experience taking hardware projects from concept through to production.
• Ability to diagnose complex issues spanning hardware, firmware, and system software.
• Hands-on experience using instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and protocol analyzers to debug embedded systems at the hardware level.
• Experience with automotive OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics) and vehicle communication protocols is advantageous.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this role, the employee will regularly be required to sit and work at a desk or engineering workbench for prolonged periods.

Please Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Additional related responsibilities may be required to meet the ongoing needs of the business.