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Hardware design engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Kip Haggerty

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical hardware design engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for hardware design engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 7.1% of hardware design engineer resumes contained rf as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a hardware design engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 hardware design engineer skills for your resume and career

1. RF

Here's how hardware design engineers use rf:

Developed parametric tests for RF characterization, MMIC component testing, and reliability under extreme environmental conditions for space radios.
Designed RF platforms (Receiver/Synthesizer/Transmitter) for new product development.

2. PCB

The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) refers to the hardware part housing all of the device's electrical connections.

Here's how hardware design engineers use pcb:

Experienced the PCB process from beginning to end, design-review-layout-production-assembly-test.
Performed PCB Design and Layout using PADS, Cadence ConceptHDL, and Allegro on boards ranging from 2 to 20 layers.

3. Analog

An analog system refers to a system that uses continuously variable signals.

Here's how hardware design engineers use analog:

Modeled and analyzed high speed digital/analog circuitry for SNR and power estimation/sequencing using LTSPICE.
Designed Digital/Analog Flight Computer Hardware * Designed small-signal analog circuits and power electronics.

4. Firmware

Firmware is a software, tangible electronic component, which contains necessary instructions for the hardware to work with the operating system. Firmware is embedded software instructions that are used to tell an electronic device on how to operate.

Here's how hardware design engineers use firmware:

Scheduled meeting on regular basis for code and firmware specification review, developed system verification and qualification for engineering platform.
Designed hardware and firmware for an embedded micro-controller video synchronization product for general aviation installs.

5. CAD

Here's how hardware design engineers use cad:

Worked with CAD and technology leaders to define analysis flow followed by Alpha designs for 4 generations.
Utilize 3D CAD to create and analyze hardware assemblies, thereby mitigating costly fabrication mistakes.

6. Cadence

In music, a cadence is a rhythmic pattern that is not structured metrically. It is the combination of at least two chords that close a section, a phrase, a movement, or an entire piece of music. It is a definitive resolution to indicate that the piece is finished.

Here's how hardware design engineers use cadence:

Develop signal integrity rules in Cadence Allegro Constraint Manager based on vendor product guidelines.
Design capture, simulation, layout and back-end verification using Cadence DFII design tools.

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7. Circuit Design

Circuit Design is the process of designing how an electrical circuit will be constructed. These designs can be used to create complex electrical systems or smaller systems with individual circuits integrated within a transistor. Simpler systems may only require a single designer, whereas larger and more complex designs require entire teams dedicated to the design and construction.

Here's how hardware design engineers use circuit design:

Produced digital circuit design, study and simulation - Developed mixed-signal circuit design.
Completed several macro cell circuit designs including schematic capture and simulation.

8. Debugging

Here's how hardware design engineers use debugging:

Developed automated tests for design verification testing, environmental qualification testing and debugging design issues.
Coordinated hardware/software debugging efforts with embedded software developers.

9. Test Equipment

Test equipment is a mechanical tool or a device which is used create signals and gather response from an electronic device under test. It helps in detecting any faults in the device and it also proves the proper operation of the electronic device.

Here's how hardware design engineers use test equipment:

Provided recommendations for test equipment acquisitions for testing and engineering.
Test equipment design and procurement for Aerospace Info-Imaging Industry.

10. MATLAB

Here's how hardware design engineers use matlab:

Executed Matlab simulation efforts to streamline algorithm development
Developed data analysis tool in Matlab to evaluate more than 40 million records in less than 1 hour.

11. Verilog

Verilog іѕ a Hаrdwаrе Dеѕсrірtіоn Language, HDL; a textual fоrmаt tо dеѕсrіbе еlесtrоnіс circuits аnd systems. Verilog wаѕ dеvеlореd tо be used for vеrіfісаtіоn thrоugh ѕіmulаtіоn, for tіmіng analysis, fоr tеѕt analysis аnd fаult grаdіng аnd fоr logic ѕуnthеѕіѕ.

Here's how hardware design engineers use verilog:

Verified design changes using Verilog simulation.
Assisted lead engineer with verification of RTL for a series of latch array designs using Verilog simulation.

12. SPI

SPI stands for "serial peripheral interface," which is a communication interface that transfers data between two electronic devices. This allows data to be transferred in both directions between the devices simultaneously, known as "full duplex mode." This mode differs from a "parallel" interface, which requires more complex and longer wiring.

Here's how hardware design engineers use spi:

Designed Serial Peripheral Interface SPI implementation.
Acquired insights on popular inter-board interfaces like PCI, SPI, I2C, UART, MII, RS232, etc.

13. Signal Integrity

Here's how hardware design engineers use signal integrity:

Utilized routing constraints, termination techniques and simulation software to preserve signal integrity on high-speed transmission lines and reduce emissions.
Performed extensive Design Verification Testing, Signal Integrity measurements, and temperature cycle testing.

14. Circuit Boards

A circuit board refers to an electronic device used to offer mechanical support and connect components electrically using signal traces and conductive pathways.

Here's how hardware design engineers use circuit boards:

Designed schematics, printed circuit boards and performed prototyping of circuitry involved.
Redesigned and cost reduced telecommunication circuit boards.

15. SOC

SOC stands for "System and Organization Controls" report, which is conducted by a third-party auditor independent from the company being reported on. An SOC report demonstrates that a company is acting ethically, which may lead to more retained clients.

Here's how hardware design engineers use soc:

Specialize in integrating 4 super-blocks into one system on a chip (SOC).
Lead Designer for several reference design/ test platforms supporting automotive business unit using Tegra SOC automotive modules.

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What skills help Hardware Design Engineers find jobs?

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What hardware design engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Kip Haggerty

Lecturer, Long Beach State

In many industries, working competently with both hardware and software is a highly desirable EE skill.
With more remote work, the following soft skills increase in importance:

Summarizing complex issues and technology concisely in your own words in writing, speaking, and presentations.

Supporting good relations with team members on impersonal electronic communications by using tact, grace, empathy, patience, and self-control.

Presenting designs and results emphasizing clear assertions supported by pictorial evidence, rather than a sea of bullet points. Bad presentations are much worse when seen over web conferencing.

Do you want to know more?

List of hardware design engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a hardware design engineer resume and required skills for a hardware design engineer to have include:

RF
PCB
Analog
Firmware
CAD
Cadence
Circuit Design
Debugging
Test Equipment
MATLAB
Verilog
SPI
Signal Integrity
Circuit Boards
SOC
RTL
Design Verification

USB
System Design
HW
VHDL
UL
ASIC
BOM
Design Reviews
I2C
Rtl Design
IP
Board Layout
Ethernet
Place-And-Route
Timing Analysis
Board Design
PC

Microcontrollers
CPU
Bluetooth
DFM
EMC
UART
DSP
Prototyping
Power Electronics
Schematic Design
Mentor Graphics
GPS
Technical Support
LabVIEW
Test Procedures

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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