Technologist, Hardware Architect

Sandisk • Milpitas, CA

16h • $147,710 - $244,674 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Hardware Architect to lead the architecture, design, and development of next-generation high-performance test and validation platforms. The Hardware Architect will serve as the primary technical authority for hardware architecture decisions, providing technical leadership across multiple hardware development programs from concept through production. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in high-speed digital design, signal integrity, power delivery, board-level architecture, and system integration. This individual will work closely with Firmware, FPGA, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Validation, and Program Management teams to deliver scalable, reliable, and cost-effective hardware solutions.

Requirements

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 15+ years of hardware design and development experience.
• 5+ years leading hardware architecture and technical development of complex electronic systems.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional technical teams and driving architecture decisions.
• Expertise in high-speed digital design and architecture.
• Experience with PCIe Gen4/Gen5/Gen6, USB, I2C, SMBus, UART, DDR memory systems, High-speed serial interfaces.
• Strong knowledge of Signal Integrity (SI), Power Integrity (PI), Power distribution network design, EMI/EMC considerations, Thermal management techniques.
• Expertise in PCB design and review using Cadence Allegro or equivalent design tools.
• Experience with FPGA, CPLD, and embedded system integration.
• Strong knowledge of control interfaces including SPI, I2C, UART, JTAG, and related protocols.
• Hands-on experience with hardware bring-up, validation, debugging, and manufacturing support.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for hardware architecture decisions and executive-level design reviews.
• Define system-level hardware architectures and technical requirements for next-generation tester platforms and supporting infrastructure.
• Drive key technical decisions balancing performance, cost, manufacturability, reliability, and schedule objectives.
• Lead architecture reviews, design reviews, technical risk assessments, and design tradeoff analyses.
• Develop technology roadmaps and evaluate emerging technologies, components, and industry standards.
• Lead hardware development from concept, feasibility, architecture, design, validation, qualification, and manufacturing release.
• Review and approve hardware architectures, schematics, PCB layouts, simulation results, validation plans, and qualification strategies.
• Drive first-pass design success through robust engineering methodologies and design practices.
• Provide architectural oversight for high-speed digital, mixed-signal, power, and control systems.
• Lead technical resolution of complex hardware issues involving high-speed interfaces, Signal Integrity (SI), Power Integrity (PI), power delivery networks, thermal challenges, and system-level integration.
• Drive root-cause investigations and corrective actions for critical design and manufacturing issues.
• Participate in hardware bring-up, debugging, validation, and failure analysis activities.
• Partner closely with ASIC, FPGA, Firmware, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Validation, Quality, and Supply Chain teams.
• Collaborate with PCB layout teams, signal integrity specialists, manufacturing partners, and third-party design houses.
• Provide technical guidance to suppliers and external development partners.
• Establish hardware design standards, review processes, and engineering best practices.
• Mentor and develop hardware engineers through technical coaching and design reviews.
• Promote continuous improvement in hardware development methodologies, simulation-driven design, and product reliability.

Benefits

• paid vacation time
• paid sick leave
• medical/dental/vision insurance
• life, accident and disability insurance
• tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts
• employee assistance program
• other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity
• tuition reimbursement
• transit
• the Applause Program
• employee stock purchase plan
• Sandisk's Savings 401(k) Plan
• Short-Term Incentive (STI) Plan
• Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program (restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior