2026 Hardware Systems Engineer (Temporary)

Smart Design — Hardware Systems Engineer (Contract, Mid-Level to Senior)

Smart Design is looking for a temporary mid-level or senior hardware systems engineer to work across one or two exciting client projects.

The role will tentatively start as soon as possible (October 2026) and will continue for 2-3 months, with possibility of transitioning to full-time.

Experience

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General requirements

• BS in Electrical or Computer Engineering

• 7+ years of hands-on board design

• At least two boards taken from schematic through fab and bring-up

• Experience with x86 SOM/COM carrier boards (COM Express, SMARC, or vendor SOMs such as Advantech) strongly preferred

• Proficient with lab tools: oscilloscope, logic and protocol analyzer, current-limited supplies, and rework

Schematics and board layout requirements

• Complete and verify schematics against SOM datasheets: pin mapping, voltage domains, straps, pull-ups, and ESD protection

• Knowledge of following interfaces: LVDS displays, M.2 (Key-E/Key-M), PCIe, USB, I2C, SPI, I2S, and GPIO

• Design power rails, sequencing, and reset chains

• Board layout using Altium, including controlled-impedance routing for PCIe, USB 3, and LVDS

• Define stackups and understands return paths and decoupling

• Produce manufacturing-ready outputs (Gerbers, BOM, assembly files) and works through DFM feedback with fabs and CMs

• Design boards for debug: test points, UART console, and programming headers

Bring-Up and Linux requirements

• Able a structure first power-on: rails, sequencing, resets, then BIOS/UEFI POST

• Brings boards up under Ubuntu/Debian and validates each interface with standard tools (lspci, lsusb, i2cdetect, dmesg, libgpiod)

• Debug display (DRM/KMS), storage, WiFi/BT, and touch peripherals

• Configure kernel modules and works with the SOM vendor on BIOS changes

• Write Bash/Python test scripts for board checkout

• Isolate hardware versus software faults, documents errata, and drives fixes into the next board revision

Please note, the role is based in Brooklyn and the candidate will be onsite a minimum of 4 days per week.

The salary range will be dependent on experience and from a full-time salary perspective will range from $60-75/hour on a temporary basis and $80,000-$115,000 plus benefits, should it transition to full time.

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. At this time, we are unable to sponsor for this position.