Senior Hardware Design Engineer - PCB

Kforce's client, an Engineering Technology company in Costa Mesa, CA, is seeking a Senior High-Speed Hardware Design Engineer. This onsite role involves designing and developing circuit boards, collaborating with cross-functional teams, performing design validation, and troubleshooting. The engineer will lead the development of Design Verification Test (DVT) platforms for high-speed transceiver technologies, ensuring signal integrity and compliance for next-generation wireline communication systems. The position offers competitive compensation including base salary, annual bonus, and Stock/RSUs.

Must Have

• Architect and design high-performance DVT boards for validating transceiver technologies across multiple generations and protocols (e.g., PCIe, Ethernet, PAM4).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including RFIC designers, system architects, packaging, and test engineers.
• Select components, create schematics, and oversee PCB layout optimized for signal integrity, power delivery, and thermal performance.
• Develop and execute test plans for electrical characterization, including jitter, eye diagram, BER, impedance, and crosstalk measurements.
• Debug and optimize board-level performance to meet stringent specifications for high-speed links.
• Document design processes, validation results, and provide feedback to silicon and system teams.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics or similar field.
• 3-7+ years of experience in high-speed board design and validation.
• Proficiency in PCB design tools (e.g., Cadence Allegro, Altium or similar) and simulation tools (e.g., SI/PI analysis, HFSS, ADS).
• Strong understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, and high-speed layout techniques.
• Experience with lab equipment and/or RF/Digital test methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving, documentation, and communication skills.

Good to Have

• Experience with Serdes and/or Transceiver technologies or similar.
• Experience with test automation and data analysis tools.
• Experience with the Design of DVT boards.
• Familiarity with protocol compliance testing (e.g., IEEE, USB, PCIe).
• Knowledge of thermal and mechanical constraints in board design.
• Automate test setups using scripting languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
• Consideration for candidates from highly regulated industries such as Aerospace, Semiconductor, Medical Device, Pharma, consumer electronics, etc.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Annual bonus
• Stock/RSU's
• Medical/dental/vision insurance
• HSA
• FSA
• 401(k)
• Life, disability & ADD insurance
• Paid time off (for salaried personnel)

Kforce's client, a growing Engineering Technology company located in Costa Mesa, CA, is seeking a Senior High-Speed Hardware Design Engineer. We are working directly with the hiring manager on this search assignment. This position is 5 days onsite.

Summary: This company offers a competitive compensation package including base salary, annual bonus and Stock/RSU's. The Design Engineer will be responsible for designing and developing circuit boards, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure design accuracy, performing design validation and verification, and troubleshooting any design-related issues. The role also involves maintaining documentation and ensuring compliance with industry standards and will lead the development of Design Verification Test (DVT) platforms for validating high-speed transceiver technologies. This role is critical to ensuring signal integrity, performance, and compliance of next-generation wireline communication systems.

Responsibilities:

• Architect and design high-performance DVT boards for validating transceiver technologies across multiple generations and protocols (e.g., PCIe, Ethernet, PAM4)
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including RFIC designers, system architects, packaging, and test engineers to define board-level requirements and validation strategies
• Select components, create schematics, and oversee PCB layout optimized for signal integrity, power delivery, and thermal performance
• Develop and execute test plans for electrical characterization, including jitter, eye diagram, BER, impedance, and crosstalk measurements
• Debug and optimize board-level performance to meet stringent specifications for high-speed links
• Document design processes, validation results, and provide feedback to silicon and system teams

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics or similar field
• 3-7+ years of experience in high-speed board design and validation
• Proficiency in PCB design tools (e.g., Cadence Allegro, Altium or similar) and simulation tools (e.g., SI/PI analysis, HFSS, ADS)
• Strong understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, and high-speed layout techniques
• Experience with lab equipment and/or RF/Digital test methodologies
• Experience integrating with lab instrumentation (e.g., VNA, BERT, Oscilloscopes) is preferred
• Excellent problem-solving, documentation, and communication skills

Bonus points:

• Experience with Serdes and/or Transceiver technologies or similar is a plus but not required
• Experience with test automation and data analysis tools
• Experience with Transceiver technologies or other high-speed design is a plus
• Experience with the Design of DVT boards would be a plus
• Familiarity with protocol compliance testing (e.g., IEEE, USB, PCIe)
• Knowledge of thermal and mechanical constraints in board design
• Automate test setups using scripting languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB) is a plus
• Will consider candidates from various industries that are highly regulated such as Aerospace, Semiconductor, Medical Device, Pharma, consumer electronics, etc.

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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