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Principal Hardware Architect Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Knorr-Bremse

Hardware Architect

Melbourne, FL · On-site

Hardware Architect LOCATION: Melbourne / Florida (US-FL), United States " BRAND: KB Signaling " REQUISITION ID: 10334 " JOB GRADE: 14 " ON-SITE/REMOTE: On-site KB Signaling delivers unparalleled end ...

Sandisk

Technologist, Hardware Architect

Milpitas, CA · On-site

The Hardware Architect will serve as the primary technical authority for hardware architecture decisions, providing technical leadership across multiple hardware development programs from concept ...

Sandisk

Technologist, Hardware Architect

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$147K - $244K/yr

The Hardware Architect will serve as the primary technical authority for hardware architecture decisions, providing technical leadership across multiple hardware development programs from concept ...

Micron

SSD Hardware Architect

Boise, ID · On-site

$152K - $280K/yr

SSD Hardware Architect EngineerDescription Seeking a self-motivated, team-oriented Hardware Architect to develop Micron's next generation Solid State Drive (SSD) products. We build the hardware that ...

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Principal Hardware Architect information

What does a Principal Hardware Architect do?

A Principal Hardware Architect is responsible for designing and overseeing the development of complex hardware systems and components, such as CPUs, GPUs, or entire electronic devices. They lead the architectural planning, set technical direction, and ensure that hardware solutions meet performance, cost, and scalability goals. This role often involves collaborating with engineers, software teams, and other stakeholders to define system requirements and solve technical challenges. Principal Hardware Architects also play a key role in making high-level design decisions and mentoring junior engineers.

What are some typical challenges Principal Hardware Architects face when leading cross-functional hardware development teams?

Principal Hardware Architects often navigate the complexities of aligning diverse technical disciplines, such as electrical engineering, firmware, and mechanical design, toward a unified product vision. A common challenge is ensuring effective communication and collaboration among teams with differing priorities and technical languages. Additionally, they must balance long-term architectural goals with short-term project deadlines, all while managing trade-offs between performance, cost, and manufacturability. Successfully addressing these challenges requires strong leadership, negotiation skills, and a deep technical understanding across multiple domains.

What is the difference between Principal Hardware Architect vs Hardware Design Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Hardware ArchitectHardware Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, strategic planning, cross-team collaborationDesign, development, testing of hardware components
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, hardware manufacturers, R&D divisionsElectronics companies, OEMs, hardware startups

The Principal Hardware Architect focuses on high-level hardware system design, architecture, and strategic planning, often leading teams and making critical technical decisions. In contrast, the Hardware Design Engineer concentrates on the detailed design, development, and testing of specific hardware components. Both roles require strong technical skills, but the architect role emphasizes leadership and system-level thinking, while the engineer role is more hands-on with hardware development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Hardware Architect, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Hardware Architect, you need advanced expertise in hardware design, system architecture, and electronic engineering, typically backed by a relevant degree and extensive industry experience. Proficiency with hardware description languages (such as VHDL or Verilog), EDA tools, and familiarity with industry standards is essential, along with certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) being advantageous. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help you guide teams and articulate complex technical concepts to stakeholders. These skills ensure innovative, reliable hardware solutions are developed efficiently and aligned with organizational goals.
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Principal Hardware Architect jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Hardware Architect job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Sr. Principal Hardware Architect

The Hiring Method, LLC

Fremont, CA • Hybrid

$150K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Work Setting: Hybrid – Fremont, CA (onsite preferred with flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week)

Travel: Approximately 10–20%, primarily for customer meetings, technical collaboration, and project support

Compensation: $150,000 to $190,000 base salary, open to negotiate.

Bonus: Target annual bonus of approximately 12–15%, based on level

Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, 401(k), annual bonus, equity/RSU eligibility, and comprehensive employee benefits package

Work Authorization: Sponsorship support is available for qualified TN-1 candidates and H-1B transfers.


Position Summary

A global leader in optical communications technology is seeking a Senior Principal Hardware Architect to help design the next generation of high-speed optical transceivers powering AI infrastructure, hyperscale data centers, and high-performance computing.

This is a highly technical individual contributor role for an experienced hardware architect with expertise in high-speed electrical design, signal integrity, power integrity, and optical transceiver development. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing next-generation PAM4 optical modules supporting speeds of 1.6T, 2.4T, and beyond.

The ideal candidate is passionate about solving complex hardware challenges, enjoys working cross-functionally with multidisciplinary engineering teams, and wants to help shape products used by many of the world's largest cloud and AI infrastructure providers.


Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of high-speed optical transceivers from concept through production

• Design high-speed hardware with an emphasis on signal integrity (SI), power integrity (PI), PCB/PCBA design, and RF performance

• Define electrical architecture for next-generation optical modules supporting AI, machine learning, and hyperscale datacenter applications

• Collaborate with firmware, software, optics, process engineering, product management, quality, and manufacturing teams throughout product development

• Support system integration, design validation, EVT/DVT activities, NPI, and production readiness

• Perform design reviews, troubleshooting, RF simulations, lab validation, and performance optimization

• Drive continuous improvements in manufacturability, reliability, and overall product performance


Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline (Master's or Ph.D. preferred)

• Experience designing hardware for optical transceivers, optical modules, or other high-speed communication systems

• Strong background in signal integrity (SI/PI), PCB/PCBA design, and high-speed RF design

• Experience with PAM4 signaling and high-speed serial interfaces

• Hands-on experience bringing products from concept through validation and production

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and cross-functional communication skills

• Ability to thrive as a technical expert and individual contributor within a collaborative engineering organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with DSPs, Silicon Photonics, EMLs, drivers, TIAs, and optical packaging technologies

• High-density multilayer PCB design experience

• RF simulation using CST, HFSS, or similar modeling tools

• Optical and electrical laboratory characterization experience

• Script-based test automation

• Experience supporting AI infrastructure, hyperscale datacenters, networking, or high-performance computing applications


Why This Opportunity

• Opportunity to develop next-generation optical transceivers enabling AI and hyperscale networking

• Highly technical role with significant influence over product architecture and design

• Work alongside world-class experts in photonics, optics, and high-speed hardware engineering

• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies including PAM4, Silicon Photonics, and next-generation optical interconnects

• Collaborative engineering culture with strong cross-functional engagement

• Competitive compensation, annual bonus, equity opportunity, and excellent long-term career growth

• Opportunity to work on products deployed by many of the world's leading cloud and AI infrastructure companies