Hardware Design Engineer

A Hardware Design Engineer at Hudson River Trading is responsible for collaborating with a cross-functional team to develop and deploy custom FPGA and ASIC solutions tailored for various trading applications. You will investigate new technologies and tools, while also contributing to a dynamic hardware development tech stack that drives innovation within the company.

To qualify for the Hardware Design Engineer role at Hudson River Trading, candidates should have at least 2 years of professional experience in RTL design for FPGA or ASIC. A strong command of SystemVerilog is essential, along with expertise in low-level FPGA or ASIC architectures, network communications, and processing pipelines. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field is also required.

As a Hardware Design Engineer at Hudson River Trading, proficiency in SystemVerilog is critical. Additionally, familiarity with programming languages such as Python and C++ is valuable. Understanding FPGA internals and ASIC primitives is essential for designing effective hardware solutions within a fast-paced trading environment.

The work culture for a Hardware Design Engineer at Hudson River Trading is collaborative and inclusive. HRT emphasizes a scientific approach to trading, values openness and transparency, and encourages sharing ideas from all employees—veterans and newcomers alike. The company fosters a sense of belonging through team interactions, whether in discussions about technology or enjoying social activities.

No financial experience is necessary to apply for the Hardware Design Engineer position at Hudson River Trading. The primary requirements focus on your hardware design capabilities and relevant technical skills, not previous experience in finance.

In answering this question, focus on specific projects where you applied RTL design principles, highlighting the complexity and results of your designs. Discuss challenges faced and how you overcame them, showcasing your problem-solving abilities.

When responding, detail your experience with SystemVerilog. You can mention specific features of the language you have used, such as assertions or dynamic arrays, and showcase any projects that highlight your expertise in using SystemVerilog for hardware design.

Discuss your systematic approach to debugging, including tools you use, methodologies employed, and any case studies where your debugging skills significantly improved the design. Show how thorough documentation and testing helped in past projects.

Use this opportunity to discuss specific technical challenges, such as optimizing power consumption or managing timing issues, highlighting how your engineering skills led to effective solutions.

Talk about your methods for staying current in the field, such as attending workshops, participating in online communities, reading relevant literature, or engaging in professional networks. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning.

In your answer, illustrate your understanding of how low-level architectures function and how your knowledge has informed your design choices. Mention any projects where you successfully applied this knowledge.

Provide examples of past projects where you've utilized networking protocols in hardware development. Explain how understanding these protocols contributed to enhanced performance in trading applications.

Explain your time management strategies and how you prioritize tasks. Discuss specific examples where you successfully met deadlines without compromising on quality or performance.

Emphasize the importance of collaboration in hardware design at HRT, detailing how you engage with cross-functional teams. Discuss the balance between individual focus and group brainstorming to achieve the best results.

Convey your passion for innovative technology and algorithmic trading, and how HRT’s commitment to creating cutting-edge solutions aligns with your career aspirations. Sharing your enthusiasm for the culture at HRT can help seal the deal!