The final salary or hourly wage, as applicable, paid to each candidate/applicant for this position is ultimately dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s/applicant’s qualifications, skills, and level of experience as well as the geographical location of the position.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship not available.

Our client is seeking a Hardware Developer in San Francisco, CA.

Role Description

Qualifications (Skills & Experiences & Education)

Role Summary: Brief summary which describes nature and level of work
We are looking for a Hardware Engineer to join the Hardware Platform Development team at CARIAD. This role focuses on the design, development, validation, and support of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and related electrical/electronic hardware systems for next-generation vehicles.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in automotive hardware development, including board-level design, schematic/layout review, and system bring-up. This position collaborates closely with software engineers, validation teams, and suppliers to ensure robust, production-ready EE platforms.

Role Responsibilities: List essential functions in order of importance; include percentage of time spent performing each function (total should equal 100%)
Hardware Development – (80%)

•Design and develop ECU hardware solutions in collaboration with cross-functional teams
•Review and validate schematics, layouts, and component selections
•Support hardware bring-up, system integration, and functional validation
•Develop and maintain detailed hardware documentation (design specs, BOMs, schematics, test plans)
•Work closely with software engineers to support low-level integration and debugging
•Participate in failure analysis and root cause investigations
•Interface with external suppliers and contract manufacturers on hardware builds
•Ensure compliance with internal design standards, industry regulations, and automotive quality processes

Operational Management - (20%)

•Assist with production and manufacturing test development for ECU hardware
•Support prototype and pre-production builds, including rework and hardware modifications
•Monitor and report on technical risks, delivery timelines, and quality issues
•Contribute to team knowledge sharing and continuous improvement of development processes

Hardware development experience
Hardware development experience proficiency 4

Skills & Requirements

Years of Relevant Experience: Minimum years of relevant experience needed to perform the job
•10+ years of hardware engineering experience in automotive or embedded electronics development

Education
RequiredDesired
•Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field
•Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field

Skills: General skills needed to perform the job
•Strong problem-solving and debugging abilities
•Excellent attention to detail and documentation
•Clear and effective verbal and written communication
•Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team
•Strong organizational and time management skills

Specialized Skills: Knowledge or certifications unique to this role

RequiredDesired
•Experience in design and development of ECUs or embedded electronic systems
•Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout tools
•Experience with hardware bring-up, board-level debugging, and validation
•Familiarity with automotive communication protocols: CAN, LIN, FlexRay, Ethernet
•Hands-on experience with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, power supplies)
•Understanding of functional safety (ISO 26262) and EMI/EMC considerations•Knowledge of connected vehicle infotainment and communication software systems
•Knowledge of DFMEA, DVP&R, and other automotive quality processes

Benefits/Other Compensation

This position is a contract/temporary role where Hays offers you the opportunity to enroll in full medical benefits, dental benefits, vision benefits, 401K and Life Insurance ($20,000 benefit).

Why Hays?

You will be working with a professional recruiter who has intimate knowledge of the industry and market trends. Your Hays recruiter will lead you through a thorough screening process in order to understand your skills, experience, needs, and drivers. You will also get support on resume writing, interview tips, and career planning, so when there’s a position you really want, you’re fully prepared to get it.

Nervous about an upcoming interview? Unsure how to write a new resume?

Visit the Hays Career Advice section to learn top tips to help you stand out from the crowd when job hunting.

Hays is committed to building a thriving culture of diversity that embraces people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better we serve our candidates, clients, and employees. We are an equal employment opportunity employer, and we comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, HIV-positive status, as well as any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. One of Hays’ guiding principles is ‘do the right thing’.
We also believe that actions speak louder than words.
In that regard, we train our staff on ensuring inclusivity throughout the entire recruitment process and counsel our clients on these principles. If you have any questions about Hays or any of our processes, please contact us.

In accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, Hays will attempt to reasonably accommodate those individuals unless doing so would create an undue hardship on the company. Any qualified applicant or consultant with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job should call or text 813.336.5570.

Drug testing may be required; please contact a recruiter for more information.

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