Hardware Engineer

Atom Computing • Boulder, CO, CO

3d • $100,000 - $140,000

About The Position

The Hardware Engineer improves released designs for functionality, ease of use, and production yield through schematic, bill of materials, and layout upkeep; engineering change orders; and board respins in Altium Designer. The role debugs and repairs control system boards in the lab and in running systems, using schematics, layouts, and bench measurements to identify failing components or circuits. It also supports component obsolescence and shortage management by finding, qualifying, and documenting substitute parts, and investigates failures to identify root causes and implement fixes that prevent recurrence.

The engineer works with fabrication and assembly houses, technicians, and test engineers on build, test, and yield issues. The role also contributes to new board designs and design reviews, applying lessons from existing instruments to improve future designs. The position requires a bachelor's or master's degree in a related technical field and at least three years of relevant postgraduate professional experience in board-level analog and digital circuit design.

Requirements

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• At least 3 years of relevant postgraduate professional experience in board-level analog and digital circuit design, preferably with Altium Designer.
• Self-motivated, collaborative, and effective in a fast-growing startup environment.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with experimental physicists, hardware engineers, and software engineers.
• Working proficiency in Altium Designer, including schematic capture and ECO-driven changes.
• Demonstrated hands-on use of oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers, signal generators, and other bench equipment to debug prototype and production electronics.
• Experience with mixed-signal boards and complex ICs, such as FPGAs and processors, that require multiple power supplies and high-speed interfaces.
• Structured approach to root-cause analysis and follow-through to close issues.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with RF design concepts and/or software-defined radio.
• Experience with Design for Test and Design for Manufacturability best practices and test fixture design.
• Capability in scripting languages such as Python for basic data acquisition, instrument control, and automating hardware test and characterization.
• Experience working in a Linux environment.
• Familiarity with MicroTCA, PXIe, or similar pluggable instrument standards.

Responsibilities

• Improve released designs for functionality, ease of use, and production yield, including schematic, BOM, and layout upkeep, engineering change orders, and board respins in Altium Designer.
• Debug and repair control system boards in the lab and in running systems, tracing faults to the failing component or circuit using schematics, layouts, and bench measurements.
• Find, qualify, and document substitute parts to address component obsolescence and shortages.
• Conduct root-cause investigations into failures and implement fixes to prevent recurrence.
• Work with fabrication and assembly houses, technicians, and test engineers on build, test, and yield issues.
• Contribute to new board designs and design reviews, using lessons from existing instruments to improve future designs.

What This Job Offers

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