Hardware Systems Engineer

Job Title: Hardware Systems Engineer Job Description
As a Hardware Systems Engineer, you will lead system design and validation for advanced computing system products that power cutting-edge switching solutions used by organizations worldwide. You will take ownership of products from concept through production, including system bring-up, engineering validation in the lab, and system-level testing. This role offers the opportunity to work on innovative hardware platforms at the center of the AI era, contributing to silicon, optics, and hardware platform advancements that shape the technology industry.
Responsibilities

• Lead system design activities for computing system products, ensuring robust architecture and reliable performance.
• Own system bring-up in the lab, including initial power-on, configuration, and functional validation of new hardware platforms.
• Plan and execute system-level testing and validation to verify performance, reliability, and compliance with design requirements.
• Perform hands-on engineering validation in the lab using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other hardware debug tools.
• Troubleshoot complex hardware issues down to the component level, identifying defects and performance bottlenecks.
• Conduct detailed root cause analysis (RCA) for hardware failures and system issues, documenting findings clearly and thoroughly.
• Implement corrective actions based on RCA results to prevent recurrence and improve overall product quality.
• Recreate issues and perform failure analysis to validate fixes and confirm system stability under various operating conditions.
• Collaborate on system-level and board-level design activities, contributing to design decisions and ensuring designs are testable and debuggable.
• Validate and debug your own designs, refining schematics and layouts as needed to meet high-speed and reliability requirements.
• Work with x86 and ARM-based systems, focusing on high-speed interfaces, board design, and signal integrity considerations.
• Use design and layout tools such as Allegro to support board design and review activities.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams throughout the full product development lifecycle, from design and qualification through production.
• Document test plans, validation procedures, and lab results to support product qualification and release.

Essential Skills

• Strong hands-on lab experience using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other hardware debug tools.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot hardware issues down to the component level.
• Demonstrated experience performing root cause analysis (RCA), corrective action implementation, and issue recreation with failure analysis.
• System-level testing and validation experience, including system bring-up and engineering validation in a lab environment.
• High-speed design experience, with an understanding of signal integrity and high-speed interfaces.
• High-speed validation and debugging experience for complex hardware systems.
• Experience working with x86 processors in board-level or system-level designs.
• Experience working with ARM processors in board-level or system-level designs.
• Background in system design and design validation for computing system products.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• System-level or board-level design experience, especially where you have validated and debugged your own designs.
• Experience with high-speed board design, including layout considerations and design reviews.
• Familiarity with Allegro or similar PCB design and layout tools.
• Exposure to hardware platforms used in AI, networking, or switching products.
• Ability to work effectively within a distributed team of hardware, silicon, and optics experts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail in documentation and validation.

Work Environment
This role is based onsite Monday through Friday in a lab-centric hardware development environment. You will work closely with a distributed team of creative experts who bring diverse backgrounds and bold ideas, collaborating across the full product development lifecycle from design and qualification through production. The environment emphasizes experimentation, rapid iteration, and ownership, giving you the opportunity to think differently, push boundaries, and grow alongside teammates. Lab work involves regular use of oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other hardware debug equipment, with a focus on high-speed systems, board design, and advanced computing platforms that power the future of the digital world.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of San Jose, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $53.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in San Jose,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.
About Actalent


Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.


The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.


If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.



San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.



Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.



Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.