What does a lead hardware engineer do?

A lead hardware engineer partners with the mechanical engineering team and product team to design and define brand new hardware products. They lead the development of connectors, firmware protocols, cards, electric chargers, controllers, and chips. Besides supervising electrical and hardware engineers, lead hardware engineers also work hand-in-hand with business analysts, software engineers, and project managers. Other duties performed by lead hardware engineers include component sourcing and performing technical specification and technical requirements analysis. Also, they provide solutions for complicated material handling and paper challenges.
Lead hardware engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real lead hardware engineer resumes:
- Generate synthesis reports and automate simulation using Perl scripts.
- Create shell scripts to do batch testing and debug FPGA design.
- Participate in digital signal processing (FPGA) hardware design and integration.
- Develop test procedures and methodologies to test bases station and handheld RF hardware.
- Debug Linux systems and load applications into Linux file systems using command line.
- Specify and design Ethernet access module which interface to atm-base OC-3 access product.
- Redesign the printed circuit board (PCB) to eliminate an electromagnetic noise problem.
- Implement a 100BaseT fiber optics Ethernet interface board for ARINC 664 and Ethernet frame capture.
- Create printed circuit board with state-of-the-art field programmable gate arrays (XILINX) along with embed VHDL language for programming devices.
- Debug at system level on motherboard, support customers for PCIE relate issues, and understand design requirements for PCIE specs.
- Authore, maintain, and execute hardware test plans relate to PCIE on the north bridge, and the south bridge.
- Design optional GPS module using Trimble receiver
- Program Microcontrollers used for projects requiring special detail automation.
- Develop DSP electronics board to control robotics of electronics soldering machine.
- Test and troubleshoot high-speed digital circuits utilizing logic analyzer and programming tools.
Lead hardware engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Lead Hardware Engineers are proficient in RF, System Design, and FPGA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Lead Hardware Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- RF, 8%
Developed Architecture for AN/TPS-59 Radar system projects, utilizing digital, analog, and RF technology.
- System Design, 7%
Performed hydrostatic tests on full-scaled parts to validate composite casing and motor retention system designs.
- FPGA, 6%
Led FPGA IP platform architecture definition for 3 next generation products.
- Analog, 5%
Designed circuit cards using analog, digital, CPLD, power filtering, and high voltage control components.
- Product Development, 5%
Developed NEC hardware development strategy for accelerating product development cycle.
- PCB, 4%
Redesigned the printed circuit board (PCB) to eliminate an electromagnetic noise problem.
Most lead hardware engineers use their skills in "rf," "system design," and "fpga" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential lead hardware engineer responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a lead hardware engineer to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "computer hardware engineers use computer programming tools to analyze the digital circuits in hardware to determine the best design." Lead hardware engineers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed schematic entry, signal integrity analysis, pcb layout, and documentation of technical specifications. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling lead hardware engineer duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "engineers often work on teams and must be able to communicate with other types of engineers, software developers and programmers, as well as with nontechnical team members." According to a lead hardware engineer resume, here's how lead hardware engineers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "worked with different communications interfaces including ethernet, rs232/422/485, usb, bluetooth le, etc. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for lead hardware engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how lead hardware engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "computer hardware engineers identify complex problems in computer hardware, develop and evaluate possible solutions, and figure out the best way to implement them." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a lead hardware engineer: "applied for two us patents on the cpu thermal solution and the extensible pci bus over ribbon cable solution. ".
The three companies that hire the most lead hardware engineers are:
- Cloudflare18 lead hardware engineers jobs
- Apple8 lead hardware engineers jobs
- BAE Systems8 lead hardware engineers jobs
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Lead hardware engineer vs. Design verification engineer
A design verification engineer is responsible for running diagnostic tests on project outputs and adjusting methodologies as needed to achieve high-quality deliverables according to clients' specifications and business requirements. Design verification engineers create efficient techniques to improve products and services by utilizing various system tools and applications. They also design engineering protocols by analyzing previous test designs and calibrating them with the team. A design verification engineer must have excellent technical skills, as well as highly-communicative and organizational, especially on meeting deadlines and working under minimal supervision.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between lead hardware engineers and design verification engineer. For instance, lead hardware engineer responsibilities require skills such as "system design," "analog," "product development," and "hw." Whereas a design verification engineer is skilled in "uvm," "architecture," "soc," and "perl." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Design verification engineers really shine in the start-up industry with an average salary of $162,166. Comparatively, lead hardware engineers tend to make the most money in the start-up industry with an average salary of $131,689.The education levels that design verification engineers earn slightly differ from lead hardware engineers. In particular, design verification engineers are 7.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a lead hardware engineer. Additionally, they're 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lead hardware engineer vs. Senior electrical engineer
A senior electrical engineer is an individual who leads other engineers to review electrical design plans and analyze existing electrical systems. Senior electrical engineers must establish relationships with clients, vendors, and suppliers to ensure that projects are completed according to specifications. They create project budgets and produce working schedules and company regulations to make sure that a safe and positive working environment is achieved. Senior electrical engineers must be passionate about engineering development by attending electrical conferences and events.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that lead hardware engineer responsibilities requires skills like "product development," "hw," "python," and "hardware development." But a senior electrical engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "electrical equipment," "electrical systems," "electrical design," and "autocad."
Senior electrical engineers earn a lower average salary than lead hardware engineers. But senior electrical engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $106,176. Additionally, lead hardware engineers earn the highest salaries in the start-up with average pay of $131,689 annually.In general, senior electrical engineers achieve similar levels of education than lead hardware engineers. They're 0.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for lead hardware engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Lead hardware engineer vs. Senior principal engineer
A senior principal engineer is responsible for leading engineering tasks within an organization and reports project updates to senior management. Senior principal engineers develop strategic methods and principles to improve the technical stability and efficiency of the company's systems, creating business proposals according to clients' specifications, and negotiating contracts with suppliers and other service providers. They also train new staff and identify innovations and business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources for the company.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from lead hardware engineer resumes include skills like "analog," "pcb," "hw," and "hardware development," whereas a senior principal engineer is more likely to list skills in "architecture," "java," "cloud," and "c #. "
Senior principal engineers earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $123,997. Comparatively, lead hardware engineers have the highest earning potential in the start-up industry, with an average salary of $131,689.Most senior principal engineers achieve a similar degree level compared to lead hardware engineers. For example, they're 3.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 4.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lead hardware engineer vs. Contracting engineer
A contracting engineer specializes in overseeing engineering projects, focusing on the legalities of contracts between clients and engineers to ensure fairness in all parties involved. Most of their duties are administrative, such as gathering and analyzing data, conducting research and analyses, setting budgets and guidelines, drafting commercial tenders and other paperwork, maintaining records, and executing contracts. They are also responsible for handling contract issues and concerns, solving them promptly and efficiently. Additionally, a contracting engineer maintains an open communication line with all parties to ensure a smooth workflow.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between lead hardware engineers and contracting engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a lead hardware engineer might have more use for skills like "analog," "product development," "hw," and "hardware development." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of contracting engineers require skills like "c #," "javascript," "sql," and "autocad. "
Contracting engineers enjoy the best pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $119,415. For comparison, lead hardware engineers earn the highest salary in the start-up industry.contracting engineers reach lower levels of education compared to lead hardware engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 5.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of lead hardware engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











