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Senior Hardware Design Engineer Jobs in Waterloo, ON

We need a highly detailed-oriented senior hardware developer to help us design our new robots and take them to the next level of reliability and quality. You will work on the electrical detail design ...

The Senior Hardware Engineer will be working directly on new and existing connected gas detecting ... In addition to electrical design, you will collaborate with mechanical, firmware, manufacturing ...

Hardware Designer

Kitchener, ON · On-site

CA$95K - CA$145K/yr

The Hardware Designer plays a key role in architecting and delivering complex, high-performance ... Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering, or equivalent. * Ability to lead a design ...

Hardware Engineer

Kitchener, ON · On-site

CA$87K - CA$135K/yr

Hardware Engineer Department: Inverter Firmware Compensation: $87,000 - $135,000 + annual bonus ... Design and develop electrical schematics for inverter control boards, power interface boards ...

Hardware Engineer

Kitchener, ON · On-site

CA$87K - CA$135K/yr

Hardware Engineer Department: Inverter Firmware Compensation: $87,000 - $135,000 + annual bonus ... Design and develop electrical schematics for inverter control boards, power interface boards ...

We are looking for a Senior Hardware buyer to lead the hardware sourcing strategy for Proton ... Collaborate closely with Engineering, Finance, and Legal teams to define hardware specifications ...

The Hardware Engineer will play a pivotal role in designing, testing, and optimizing hardware ... In addition to electrical design, you will collaborate with mechanical, firmware, manufacturing ...

Senior Electronics Designer

Waterloo, ON · On-site

CA$93K - CA$124K/yr

Lead design reviews and ensure adherence to engineering standards and best practices. * Mentor ... What you need * Previous space hardware design experience for LEO applications preferred.

Senior Test Engineer

Cambridge, ON · Hybrid

CA$85K - CA$110K/yr

As a Senior Test Engineer, you will lead the design, development, and implementation of automated ... Knowledge of electronic hardware design processes and mechanical design concepts. * Strong ...

... for our hardware-driven software products. You will work closely with the Quality Assurance ... Operate a closed-loop corrective-action process that feeds field insights back into design reviews ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Hardware Design Engineer information

See Waterloo, ON salary details

$79.3K

$125.5K

$176.7K

How much do senior hardware design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior hardware design engineer in Waterloo, ON is $125,540.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,025.00 and $145,448.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior hardware design engineer?

Senior Hardware Design Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and test electronic hardware components and systems. They typically lead hardware development projects, create detailed schematics and layouts, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful integration of hardware with software. In addition to technical design work, they often mentor junior engineers, oversee prototyping, and troubleshoot complex hardware issues. Their expertise is vital for developing advanced electronics found in products such as computers, mobile devices, automotive systems, and industrial equipment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior hardware design engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Hardware Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, circuit design, and experience with industry standards, usually supported by a relevant degree and several years of design experience. Proficiency with schematic capture tools (e.g., Altium Designer, Cadence, or OrCAD), PCB layout software, and simulation systems is essential, and certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective cross-functional communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure reliable product development, successful project execution, and seamless collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

How do senior hardware design engineers typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

Senior Hardware Design Engineers regularly work alongside software engineers, product managers, and manufacturing teams to ensure the seamless integration of hardware with other systems. This often involves participating in design reviews, troubleshooting interdisciplinary issues, and aligning hardware specifications with overall project goals. Effective communication and documentation are crucial, as is the ability to provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers within the team.

What is the difference between Senior Hardware Design Engineer vs Hardware Design Engineer?

AspectSenior Hardware Design EngineerHardware Design Engineer
QualificationsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or related field; 5+ years experienceBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; 1-3 years experience
ResponsibilitiesLeading complex hardware projects, mentoring junior engineers, system architectureDesigning and testing hardware components, supporting project development
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, R&D departments, collaborative projectsDesign labs, development teams, manufacturing support

The main difference is experience level and responsibility. Senior Hardware Design Engineers lead projects and mentor others, while Hardware Design Engineers focus on designing hardware components. Both roles require similar technical skills but differ in scope and leadership expectations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Hardware Design Engineer jobs in Waterloo, ON?

The most popular types of Hardware Design Engineer jobs in Waterloo, ON are:

What cities near Waterloo, ON are hiring for Senior Hardware Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Waterloo, ON with the most Senior Hardware Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Hardware Design Engineer job openings in Waterloo, ON as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,540 per year, or $60.4 per hour.

Senior Hardware Developer

Avidbots

Kitchener, ON • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

About Avidbots:

Avidbots is a robotics company with a vision to bring robots to everyday life to expand human potential. Headquartered in Kitchener, ON, Canada, Avidbots is offering comprehensive service and support to customers on 5 continents. Our ground-breaking product, the Neo autonomous floor scrubbing robot, is deployed around the world and trusted by leading facilities and building service companies.

We need a highly detailed-oriented senior hardware developer to help us design our new robots and take them to the next level of reliability and quality. You will work on the electrical detail design of the next generation of floor scrubber robots that will take over the cleaning industry. Ideally, you thrive working on a small hardware team where you can quickly become a key part of the design team and contribute to the overall design and prototyping of electrical systems.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Work on sub-module design of the electrical system of our robots, and contribute to systems engineering.
  • Participate in PCB and layout design of analog, digital, and power circuits: control boards, sensor interfaces, power distribution, safety, and motor control units.
  • Tackle design challenges ranging from high-level system architecture, power distribution, embedded and analog design to detailed schematic and PCB design, debugging, and testing on a board and system level.
  • Design circuits that vary from safety boards to control units and motor control units.
  • Collaborate with our mechanical team on Wiring Harness Design to minimize EMI and ensure proper mounting, shielding, and accessibility of electronic circuits.
  • Execute Functional Safety Management (FSM) plans across the product lifecycle to ensure compliance with IEC 61508, IEC 63327, and IEC 60335-2-72 standards.
  • Perform Hazard Analysis & Risk Assessments (HARA), System Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Component FMEDAs.
  • Select, configure, and test advanced sensor suites and mechatronics, including 2D/3D LiDAR, Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors, drive encoders, and failsafe brakes.
  • Design and execute comprehensive Verification & Validation (V&V) strategies, including Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing and Fault Injection Tests (FIT).
  • Drive ideation, prototyping, and bench testing for new hardware features, such as automated fluid and power docking stations.

Requirements:

  • B.Sc. in electrical engineering or equivalent.
  • Minimum 7+ years of hardware design experience in a relevant field (Robotics, Safety Critical, Medical, Aerospace, Automotive, etc.).
  • Experience with all stages of product development and the hardware development cycle.
  • History of product design for manufacturing and shipping quality products.
  • Excellent electrical design and PCB layout skills.
  • Proficient with standard test instrumentation equipment such as DMM, Scope, Power Supply, and Function Generator.
  • Familiar with Managing Engineering Bill of Materials and Change Management Methodology.
  • Familiar with Dfx Analysis.
  • A driven individual who is passionate about robotics and a self-starter.
  • Deep understanding of functional safety standards and the ability to evaluate hardware safety integrity metrics like MTTFd and Diagnostic Coverage.
  • Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

Bonus Qualifications:

  • Experience working with robots or complex electro-mechanical systems.
  • Experience designing hardware for safety-critical applications (such as aerospace, medical, or automotive).
  • Experience with electronics design simulation and the Mentor Graphics suite of tools.
  • Experience with Standards or certification experience (UL, CSA, CE, etc.).
  • Strong interest in robotics.
  • Previous experience operating or servicing industrial and/or commercial floor cleaning equipment.
  • Familiarity with the Robot Operating System (ROS), Linux-based operating systems, Jira, and Google Suite.