Senior Computer Hardware Engineer (ON-SITE BEDFORD, MA)

As a Senior Computer Hardware Engineer at IDEMIA, your core responsibilities include analyzing product requirements to choose appropriate hardware components, creating detailed test plans and reports, and conducting extensive testing of hardware before it's passed to the software development and QA teams. You will also work closely with vendors to select next-gen hardware and manage the end-of-life hardware process, ensuring compliance with FCC and safety regulations while generating essential engineering change orders (ECOs).

To apply for the Senior Computer Hardware Engineer role at IDEMIA, you should hold a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. Extensive knowledge of Agile Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), along with a strong background in electrical and hardware design, is crucial. Prior experience with regulatory testing and excellent documentation skills are highly valued. Additionally, strong communication and multitasking abilities will help you thrive in this role.

The US base salary range for the Senior Computer Hardware Engineer position at IDEMIA is $89,850 - $112,320, complemented by bonuses and benefits. This range reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the role across all US locations, with individual pay determined by various factors such as work location, relevant skills, experience, and education.

As a Senior Computer Hardware Engineer at IDEMIA, you will engage with a range of tools and technologies, including schematic capture and layout tools to maintain in-house designs. You'll also use oscilloscopes for high-frequency testing and signal integrity assessments on new products. Your role includes setting up various test environments and leveraging Agile PLM systems for Bill of Materials (BOM) creation and engineering change processes.

IDEMIA is committed to fostering professional growth, offering a culture that encourages continuous learning and development for Senior Computer Hardware Engineers. Through hands-on experience with innovative technologies, access to training resources, and opportunities for collaboration with experts across various domains, IDEMIA supports employees in honing their skills and advancing their careers.

In preparing for this question, discuss your specific experience with regulatory testing processes such as FCC testing and safety certification. Highlight any projects where you ensured compliance with these regulations, your understanding of the procedures involved, and how you navigated challenges that arose.

When answering this question, highlight your organizational skills and give examples of tools or methodologies you use to stay on top of tasks. Discuss specific instances where you successfully balanced multiple projects, communicated effectively with different teams, and ensured timely deliverables.

Elaborate on your testing methodologies and the importance of thorough documentation. Talk about how you design test plans, manage test schedules, and ensure that results are analyzed correctly. You might also want to mention any specific tools you prefer for testing and your approach to troubleshooting.

Provide a detailed narrative of a significant hardware challenge you faced, your diagnostic process, and the steps you took to resolve it. Emphasize your problem-solving skills, technical knowledge, and the importance of collaboration with team members or vendors.

Mention your commitment to continuous learning through attending workshops, participating in professional organizations, reading industry publications, and engaging in online forums. Highlight specific trends you’re currently following and how they may impact hardware design.

Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with Agile PLM. Explain the processes you've followed for BOM creation, including how you manage changes through ECOs. Share successes or challenges you've encountered and the impact on project outcomes.

Describe your vendor management strategy, including how you assess vendor capabilities, negotiate contracts, and maintain relationships. Providing examples where your vendor selection and management directly led to successful project outcomes will show your experience in this area.

Highlight a specific project or initiative where you identified an aspect of hardware design that could be improved, your approach to implementing the change, and the overall impact it had on product performance or production efficiency.

Discuss your communication style and techniques that foster collaboration, such as regular updates, feedback sessions, or using project management tools. Share your experiences working with interdisciplinary teams and how that has improved project outcomes.

Identify potential challenges such as keeping pace with rapid technological changes or ensuring regulatory compliance. Discuss proactive strategies you would employ to tackle these issues, emphasizing your analytical thinking and adaptability in technology-focused environments.