Staff Hardware Engineer

generac; Sussex (WI); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k)

Volunteer Time Off

Job summary

Generac is seeking a Staff Hardware Engineer to lead architecture, design, integration, and validation of complex embedded hardware for new product development. You will guide cross-functional teams across firmware, software, mechanical, and manufacturing to meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost goals.

Responsibilities include defining hardware requirements, leading DFMEA/FMEA activities, and driving design reviews to ensure high-quality, scalable hardware solutions across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of experience designing analog and digital electronic systems and leading complex programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, design, integration, verification, and validation of embedded hardware for new product development.
• Define system/hardware requirements, design specs, verification plans, and acceptance criteria with traceability.
• Provide technical leadership for programs involving multiple subsystems, ensuring quality, performance, schedule, and cost objectives.
• Lead hardware design activities, including microprocessors, analog/digital circuitry, interfaces, and power electronics.
• Drive design reviews, DFMEA/FMEA, risk assessments, root-cause investigations, and issue resolution.
• Collaborate with firmware, software, mechanical, manufacturing, sourcing, supplier quality, and operations teams.

Skills

Embedded hardware design

Analog & digital circuits

Power electronics

Microprocessors & microcontrollers

DFMEA/FMEA

Regulatory standards

Altium Designer

Schematic capture

Leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most.

For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future.

Ready to Power a Smarter World with us?

The Staff Hardware Engineer serves as a senior technical leader responsible for the architecture, design, integration, validation, and lifecycle support of complex embedded electronic hardware systems used across Generac products. This role leads new product development initiatives involving embedded controls, power electronics, analog and digital circuitry, and microprocessor-based systems. The position provides technical leadership across multiple engineering disciplines, drives innovation and continuous improvement, ensures compliance with quality and regulatory requirements, and mentors engineering talent while delivering solutions that meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, schedule, and cost objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, integration, verification, and validation of complex embedded electronic hardware systems for new product development and technology initiatives.
• Define system and hardware requirements, design specifications, verification plans, and acceptance criteria while maintaining traceability throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Provide technical leadership for complex programs involving multiple subsystems, ensuring achievement of quality, performance, schedule, and cost objectives.
• Lead hardware design activities involving microprocessors, microcontrollers, analog and digital circuitry, communication interfaces, and power electronics technologies.
• Drive design reviews, component selection, DFMEA/FMEA activities, risk assessments, root-cause investigations, and resolution of complex technical issues.
• Collaborate with firmware, software, mechanical, manufacturing, sourcing, supplier quality, and operations teams to optimize product performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost.
• Serve as the technical authority for hardware architecture, EMC compliance, regulatory requirements, and engineering standards while mentoring and developing engineers.
• Advance engineering effectiveness through continuous improvement initiatives, development of testing and validation strategies, and evaluation of emerging technologies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related Engineering discipline.
• Seven (7)+ years of experience designing analog and digital electronic systems, including leadership of complex product development programs involving multiple subsystems and cross‑functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in analog and digital circuit design, including microprocessors, microcontrollers, communication protocols, hardware interfaces, and embedded electronic systems.
• Advanced knowledge of power electronics, hardware architecture development, system‑level design, and complex system integration.
• Proven ability to lead large‑scale embedded controls or power electronics development programs, providing technical leadership, engineering direction, and sound technical decision‑making.
• Expertise in engineering processes and methodologies including design reviews, DFMEA/FMEA, root‑cause analysis, continuous improvement practices, EMC compliance, and engineering best practices.
• Experience utilizing schematic capture and PCB design tools (e.g., Altium Designer) and reviewing layouts for signal integrity, electromagnetic compatibility, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Working knowledge of applicable regulatory and product safety standards, including UL, CSA, IEC, FCC, and CE, with demonstrated success collaborating with suppliers, customers, contract manufacturers, and cross‑functional business teams.
• Strong business and technical acumen, including experience developing technology roadmaps, evaluating emerging technologies, managing product lifecycle considerations, mentoring engineering talent, and understanding engineering's impact on product cost and business performance.

Great Reasons to work for Generac :

• Competitive Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, 401k and many more
• Scheduled events throughout the year that allow our employees, both current and retirees, to gather together and enjoy their time with their families and co-workers
• Pride! When a storm strikes, Generac employees always rise to the occasion. Each time a storm hits, many employees volunteer their time with the customer support team or on the production line, while others go right into storm‑affected areas to repair generators
• Make a positive impact. Generac has always been community‑minded and dedicated to giving back. The company proudly offers a Volunteer Time Off program, inviting team members to participate in charitable volunteer opportunities on company time.

We are an equal opportuni