Systems Engineer (Hardware)
Systems Engineers in this slug lead system-level integration of hardware, software, and mechanical subsystems for physical products and infrastructure—across two broad clusters. The first is AI-powered physical products: autonomous vehicles, robotics, satellites, and defense systems, where the role spans architecture, requirements, and verification across cross-functional engineering teams. The second is large-scale physical computing infrastructure: AI data centers and modular compute systems, where the role centers on integrating mechanical, electrical, and thermal subsystems and leading commissioning and validation activities through deployment. Both clusters share the underlying craft of system-level integration, requirements management, and cross-domain coordination. These engineers typically sit within hardware, systems, or infrastructure engineering organizations, working alongside domain specialists in mechanical, electrical, software, and operations functions.
Skills
What companies are looking for in this role.
Designing and architecting complex hardware systems from concept through production
Integrating multiple engineering disciplines (electrical, mechanical, firmware, optical) into cohesive systems
Developing and executing comprehensive verification and validation test plans
Defining technical requirements and specifications for hardware systems and subsystems
Leading teams of engineers across multiple technical domains toward shared objectives
Managing hardware development lifecycle from prototype through mass production
Troubleshooting and resolving complex technical defects and integration issues
Collaborating cross-functionally with software, manufacturing, and supply chain teams
Analyzing and interpreting regulatory requirements and ensuring compliance
Performing thermal, mechanical, and reliability analysis on engineered systems
Developing load cases, margins, and design criteria for structural systems
Building mathematical models to predict system performance and behavior
Managing configuration control and change processes across engineering programs
Commissioning and integrating complex infrastructure and systems at scale
Identifying technical risks early and developing mitigation strategies
Leveraging simulation and digital twins to validate designs before physical prototyping
Implementing field data collection and feedback loops to improve designs iteratively
Designing systems with security and cybersecurity requirements integrated from inception
Optimizing hardware systems for autonomous and AI-driven applications
Communicating technical findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Mentoring and developing junior engineers and team members
Setting quality standards and holding teams accountable to technical excellence
Managing technical project execution and driving closure of issues to completion
Coordinating with external partners including suppliers, OEMs, and regulatory bodies
Building and growing engineering teams with clear hiring strategy
Making sound technical trade-off decisions under uncertainty and time constraints
Technology
The tools and technologies that define this role.
Open Jobs
197 open Systems Engineer (Hardware) jobs across 19 companies.
Other Physical Systems roles
Engineers designing and building electronic hardware, electrical systems, power systems, and signal chains. Covers circuit design, PCB layout, power delivery, RF/antenna design, and signal integrity.
Engineers working on integrated circuit and system-on-chip design, including RTL design, physical design, silicon verification, ASIC/FPGA development, SoC architecture, and advanced packaging.
Engineers writing software that runs directly on hardware — firmware, embedded systems, RTOS, device drivers, microcontroller programming, and board support packages.
Engineers building physical robotic systems — manipulation, locomotion, motion planning, controls, perception for physical interaction, and autonomous navigation. Covers the full robotics stack from hardware integration through control software. Distinguished from Simulation Engineer (research_science) which builds virtual environments for training AI.
Engineers ensuring the safety of physical systems through functional safety analysis, hazard assessment, system safety engineering, and verification & validation of safety-critical systems.