Torchora
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Electronics Engineer

💰 $95,000 - $160,000

EngineeringHardwareTechnology

🎯 Role Definition

As an Electronics Engineer, you are the architect and innovator behind the physical hardware that powers modern technology. You will take ownership of the entire electronics development lifecycle, from translating a product concept into a detailed schematic to bringing up the first prototype and ensuring it's ready for mass production. This role requires a blend of deep technical expertise in analog and digital circuits, a passion for hands-on problem-solving, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team to create robust, reliable, and cutting-edge products. You are not just designing circuits; you are building the tangible foundation for the future.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Electronics / Hardware Engineer
  • Electrical Engineering Intern / Co-op
  • Test Engineer

Advancement To:

  • Senior Electronics Engineer
  • Principal Hardware Engineer
  • Engineering Manager / Hardware Team Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Systems Engineer
  • Firmware Engineer
  • Technical Project Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead the complete hardware development lifecycle, from initial concept and requirements gathering through schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, and validation.
  • Design, simulate, and test complex analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits to meet stringent performance, cost, and power requirements.
  • Create and maintain detailed schematics, select critical components, and manage the Bill of Materials (BOM) throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
  • Oversee the PCB layout process, either performing the layout directly or managing external contractors, ensuring adherence to best practices for signal integrity, power integrity, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
  • Perform hands-on board bring-up, debugging, and functional verification of new hardware prototypes using standard lab equipment like oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers.
  • Develop and execute comprehensive Design Verification Test (DVT) plans to rigorously validate hardware against all functional, performance, and environmental specifications.
  • Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Mechanical, Firmware, Software, and Quality Assurance, to ensure seamless system integration and resolve product-level issues.
  • Author and maintain thorough design documentation, including design specifications, block diagrams, test procedures, and failure analysis reports.
  • Troubleshoot and perform root cause analysis on complex hardware failures at both the component and system level, implementing effective corrective actions.
  • Ensure all electronic designs comply with relevant regulatory and safety standards, such as FCC, CE, UL, and RoHS, and manage the certification process.
  • Design and optimize power management subsystems, including switching power supplies (SMPS), LDOs, and battery charging circuits, to maximize efficiency and thermal performance.
  • Investigate and mitigate electromagnetic interference (EMI) and compatibility (EMC) issues through strategic design, layout, and shielding techniques.
  • Select, characterize, and qualify new electronic components and vendors to balance performance, cost, supply chain stability, and long-term reliability.
  • Develop custom test fixtures and automated test scripts (e.g., using Python or LabVIEW) to streamline hardware validation and production testing.
  • Conduct formal design reviews, presenting technical trade-offs, simulation results, and risk assessments to peers and leadership.
  • Provide critical engineering support to manufacturing teams during new product introduction (NPI) to resolve production-related issues and optimize yields.
  • Define system architecture by providing expert input on hardware capabilities, limitations, and technology trade-offs in the early stages of product definition.
  • Manage component obsolescence and identify alternative parts to ensure the long-term manufacturability of products.
  • Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies, microcontrollers, sensors, and communication protocols to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge.
  • Support the sustaining engineering of released products by investigating field failures and implementing design improvements.

Secondary Functions

  • Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and interns within the hardware team.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of internal design methodologies, tools, and engineering best practices.
  • Collaborate with the supply chain team to support component sourcing strategies and vendor management.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile development ceremonies within the broader product development team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout software (e.g., Altium Designer, Cadence OrCAD/Allegro, KiCad).
  • Strong experience in analog and digital circuit design, including op-amps, filters, ADCs/DACs, and logic circuits.
  • Expertise in microcontroller/microprocessor-based system design, including peripheral interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, USB).
  • Hands-on experience with circuit simulation tools like SPICE (LTspice, PSpice) for design verification.
  • In-depth knowledge of power supply design (LDOs, buck/boost converters, SMPS).
  • Proficiency with lab test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, spectrum analyzers).
  • Experience with design for manufacturability (DFM), design for test (DFT), and design for assembly (DFA).
  • Understanding of signal integrity (SI) and power integrity (PI) principles.
  • Familiarity with regulatory compliance and EMI/EMC troubleshooting.
  • Scripting ability for test automation (e.g., Python, LabVIEW).

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional problem-solving and analytical abilities.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting designs and collaborating with teams.
  • High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and in a cross-functional team environment.
  • Strong time management and organizational skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
  • A proactive and curious mindset with a passion for continuous learning.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in a relevant engineering discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Science (M.S.) or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electronics Engineering Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7+ years of professional experience in an electronics or hardware design role.

Preferred: Experience in a specific industry (e.g., consumer electronics, medical devices, automotive, aerospace) and a proven track record of taking at least one product from concept to production.

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