What is an Electrical Hardware Engineer?
An Electrical Hardware Engineer invents, designs, and improves physical electronic products for manufacturing. The hardware is often used for today’s most advanced technologies and products including mobile phones, automotive products, home electronics, VR headsets, etc. This person understand the interaction of these products with electrical wiring, software applications and human-machine interfaces. The Electrical Hardware Engineer solves highly-complex physical, material and electrical problems for next-generation products.
What does a Senior Electrical Hardware Engineer typically do?
- Researches product design options and how they may interfere or enhance product specifications
- Utilizes advanced engineering concepts around software development, mechanical engineering, and electronics design to develop plans and solutions for product manufacturing
- Meets regularly with project team to ensure safety, cost and deadlines goals are met
- Uses 3D PCB design software such as Altium, Fusion, or Autodesk EAGLE
Career Track for an Electrical Hardware Engineer
An Electrical Hardware Engineer will typically obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics or Electrical Engineer from an accredited university. An entry-level Hardware Engineer will work closely with a senior or principal engineer to learn techniques and best practices that will make them successful. Often, a professional will begin designing printed circuit boards (PCB’s), electrical wire harnesses and connectors. The engineer will develop skills in electronic circuitry, PCB design, 3D CAD and other engineering software. Engineers in this field often become deep subject matter experts in a product category, industry or application. Engineers choosing a career track into leadership can move into a supervisory or engineering manager role before moving into VP-level roles.
What Makes an Electrical Hardware Engineer Successful
- Strong analytical, math and problem-solving skills around power electronics, mechanical and software issues.
- Ability to use a variety of software for 3D CAD modeling, PCB design and hardware engineering
- Work closely with peers and meet regularly to keep projects on track
- Great communication and interpersonal abilities and being comfortable working with peers and leadership
Electrical Hardware Engineer Compensation
Electrical Hardware Engineer Job Description
Would you like to create new, miniature throwable robots used by our military, police, and fire personnel to help save lives?
Are you known for solving the most difficult hardware engineering problems that stump everyone else?
In this position, you will use your expertise to architect, design, and develop electronics used in miniature robotic systems and devices.
You’re exceptional at:
- Designing, developing, testing, and documenting all aspects of electronic designs to create life-saving products.
- Diagnosing electronic issues in next-generation and legacy devices.
- Identifying, researching, and comparing new components (i.e. IC”s, sensors, controllers, etc) for use in new and sustaining existing designs.
You’ll have the autonomy to:
- Bachelors of Science in electrical engineering or computer engineering
- 5+ years of relevant work experience or a higher degree
- 5+ years of Analog & RF circuit design
- Computer Vision / Video Compression / Video Processing
- Ability to work both independently and as a team across multiple groups