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Board Level Hardware Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Qualcomm

Hardware Staff Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$131K - $173K/yr

Lead board-level hardware design for assigned automotive subsystems or reference designs, including schematic design, component selection, and design tradeoffs. * Own board bring-up, debug, and ...

Qualcomm

Hardware Board Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$145K - $191K/yr

Hardware Board Design Engineer Experienced Hardware Board Design Engineer (individual contributor) responsible for board-level execution of complex server platforms, working closely with a platform ...

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Board Level Hardware Design information

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How much do board level hardware design jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for board level hardware design in the United States is $147,512.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $174,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is board level hardware design?

Board level hardware design refers to the process of designing and developing printed circuit boards (PCBs) that house and connect electronic components. This involves schematic capture, layout design, component selection, signal integrity analysis, and often prototyping and testing. Board level hardware designers ensure that the PCB meets the required electrical, mechanical, and regulatory standards so that it functions correctly within a larger system. Their work is essential for creating reliable electronics found in devices ranging from consumer gadgets to industrial equipment.

What is the difference between Board Level Hardware Design vs PCB Design Engineer?

AspectBoard Level Hardware DesignPCB Design Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, hardware design certificationsElectrical engineering or related degree, PCB design certifications
Work EnvironmentDesigning entire hardware systems, schematic capture, component selectionCreating detailed PCB layouts, signal integrity, manufacturing files
Industry UsageConsumer electronics, industrial equipment, aerospaceConsumer electronics, telecommunications, embedded systems

Board Level Hardware Design involves designing complete hardware systems, including schematics and component selection, while PCB Design Engineers focus on creating detailed PCB layouts. Both roles require electrical engineering knowledge and often overlap, but Board Level Hardware Design covers a broader scope from concept to integration.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Board Level Hardware Designer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Board Level Hardware Designer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, circuit design, and PCB layout, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with industry-standard design tools such as Altium Designer, OrCAD, and experience with signal integrity analysis and EMC compliance are essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and troubleshooting complex designs. These skills ensure the development of reliable, high-performance hardware that meets technical standards and project requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in board level hardware design, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in board level hardware design often encounter challenges such as managing signal integrity, meeting power requirements, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Addressing these issues typically involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, thorough simulation and testing, and staying updated on the latest design tools and best practices. Effective communication with firmware, mechanical, and manufacturing teams is essential to anticipate and resolve potential integration issues early in the design process.
More about Board Level Hardware Design jobs
What job categories do people searching Board Level Hardware Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Board Level Hardware Design jobs are:
Board Level Hardware Design jobs near you
Principal Hardware Engineer - Hardware Design / Board Designer

Principal Hardware Engineer - Hardware Design / Board Designer

Mercury Systems

Phoenix, AZ • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Mercury Systems rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

36th of 139 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Job Summary:

Mercury Systems offers Principal Electrical Engineers a fulfilling career where you will see the direct impact of your board designs in deployed systems with true end-to-end ownership. You're not just implementing requirements; you're architecting ruggedized circuit board solutions that must perform under extreme conditions in real-world defense and aerospace applications. You will lead board-level hardware development for mission-critical embedded computing, high-speed digital systems, advanced FPGA solutions, secure processing, and extreme environment electronics supporting operations across air, land, sea, and space.

We emphasize design quality through collaborative reviews and proactive verification, helping teams deliver reliable solutions efficiently. You will shape the organization's technical direction, establish engineering standards, and drive innovation for high-reliability defense and aerospace applications. At Mercury, we work with an Integrator Mindset, collaborating across sites and disciplines to create board-level solutions that directly impact our country's security.

Job Responsibilities:
  • Lead board-level design and development of complex digital circuits and modules from concept through production
  • Architect advanced electrical circuit board solutions involving secure processing, storage, networking, FPGAs, high-speed interfaces, and extreme environment electronics
  • Develop high-speed digital board designs including 400G+ Ethernet, PCIe Gen5+, DDR5+, and advanced interconnects
  • Establish engineering best practices, board design guidelines, and quality-focused processes that promote proactive verification
  • Support proposal development with technical architecting, cost/schedule estimates, and BOE
  • Drive board manufacturability (DFM/DFA/DFT) and collaborate with manufacturing on build issues
Required Qualifications:
  • BS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering (Master's preferred)
  • Typically requires 6+ years of electrical engineering experience in board-level hardware design from concept through production
  • Experience designing complex embedded digital hardware with high-speed interfaces, memory technologies, and next-generation interconnects
  • Strong understanding of signal integrity
  • The ability to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance. U.S. Citizenship is required.
Preferred Experience:

Strong candidates typically have experience in several of the following areas:

Digital & High-Speed Technologies
  • Intel or other advanced CPU architectures (Xeon-D, Cascade Lake, Granite Rapids)
  • Advanced FPGA board technologies (AMD/Xilinx Versal, Intel/Altera Agilex)
  • High-speed board interfaces (400G+ Ethernet, PCIe Gen5+, DDR5+)
  • Advanced network interface board designs (Nvidia, Broadcom, Marvell)
DoD/Aerospace & Rugged Systems
  • VPX/VITA board standards (3U/6U), COM Express, or SoM architectures
  • MIL-STD board development in rugged environments
  • Secure processing, anti-tamper, or DRFM board designs
  • Space electronics or radiation-tolerant component integration
Tools & Analysis
  • Cadence schematic capture tools (DEHDL/Concept) or equivalent
  • Cadence Allegro or equivalent CAD/SI tools
  • Reliability/stress analysis (FMECA, derating)
  • Requirements and workflow tools (DOORS, JAMA, JIRA, Confluence)
Leadership & Collaboration
  • Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical teams
  • Experience supporting proposals, cost/schedule estimates, and BOE development

Location:

  • This is a hybrid position; candidate must be in a commutable distance to one of the following Mercury Systems locations:
    • Torrance, CA
    • Cypress, CA
    • Phoenix, AZ

Mercury Systems is also hiring Electrical / Hardware Engineers for our MA and NH locations. See our Careers page for more details.

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