Top Senior Hardware Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Maintains and troubleshoots server, storage, networking, cabling, and power hardware across a large-scale production data center fleet. Writes Python automation scripts, reviews logs and alerts, performs diagnostics, supports deployments, builds hardware health dashboards, coordinates with DevOps, supply chain, and vendors, and assists with hardware evaluation and reliability improvements. Requires on-call availability and travel to data center sites.

Leads configuration management for complex information systems and hardware/software components. Maintains configuration baselines, records, and technical documentation; advises Configuration Control Boards; evaluates engineering changes; supports audits; and coordinates with quality assurance and management to ensure controlled, accurate product baselines.

Designs and validates electrical and electronic components, subsystems, integrated circuitry, and hardware solutions. Develops test plans covering tolerances, form, fit, function, shock, vibration, EMI, safety, reliability, thermal performance, and power. Performs feasibility, margin, validation, modeling, and empirical analyses; collaborates with internal and outsourced engineering partners; evaluates production reliability and supports prototype fabrication for reliable, cost-effective products.

Develop and operate Akamai’s Linux-based cloud infrastructure, including bare-metal and virtual machine platforms, kernels, operating systems, and KVM/QEMU virtualization. Build software, automation, observability, and infrastructure enhancements at scale; troubleshoot complex distributed-system issues; collaborate across engineering and operations; mentor team members; and participate in on-call service restoration.

Supports and maintains mainframe hardware, including microcode, processor, storage, DASD, and tape configurations. Handles migrations, replication, disaster recovery, incident resolution, vendor escalations, and 24/7 on-call service restoration. Develops automation, tools, documentation, and standardized processes while supporting multiple clients in a leveraged environment. Performs ITIL change management, provides technical consulting, analyzes subsystem performance, and mentors team members.

Designs and develops FPGA SmartNIC networking acceleration for Microsoft Azure. Responsibilities include hardware architecture evaluation, RTL coding in Verilog/SystemVerilog, simulation, hardware testing, debugging, verification, scripting, software development, Agile collaboration, and production DevOps support. The role partners across hardware and software teams to deliver cloud networking infrastructure, including SDN capabilities, packet manipulation, and performance improvements.

The role involves optimizing hardware support within a software stack for AI model deployment, collaborating with teams and hardware vendors to enhance performance and portability across platforms.

Develop and own compute and GPU server platforms from architecture through global deployment. Responsibilities include schematic and layout reviews, design for manufacturability, new product introduction, board and system bring-up, validation, debugging, firmware and BIOS feature management, technology qualification, and vendor coordination. The role requires hands-on server architecture, board-level design, Linux and scripting expertise, platform validation, and five-day-per-week presence in the Cambridge office.

Tests, validates, and troubleshoots next-generation cloud server hardware for performance, power, reliability, and quality. Develops test scripts, documents results, identifies defects, recommends improvements, and resolves hardware issues across engineering and manufacturing environments. Requires hands-on embedded systems debugging, Linux and scripting experience, and knowledge of server architecture, firmware, operating systems, networking, storage, and hardware acceleration technologies.

Lead and grow a compiler, kernel, and runtime engineering team responsible for accelerator bring-up across the Modular stack. Drive technical direction, architecture, coding, roadmap delivery, vendor partnerships, SOWs, milestones, cross-team dependencies, hiring, and production-quality model deployment across diverse hardware platforms.

The Sr. Network Engineer plans and performs network engineering research and supervises a team of network engineers on complex projects.

Owns the hardware lifecycle for GPU and infrastructure assets, including fleet health monitoring, vendor RMA workflows, firmware and BIOS upgrades, burn-in testing, failure investigation, inventory accuracy, capacity planning, spare-parts strategy, runbook creation, and new platform qualification. The role serves as the technical owner of physical compute platforms and supports high-density GPU infrastructure across sites.

Supports NAVSEA hardware and RF engineering programs involving radar, electronic warfare, EO/IR, laser, and Tactical Data Link systems. Responsibilities include system design, integration, testing, evaluation, technical analysis, documentation, manufacturing support, ship integration, qualification testing, and production acceptance. The role supports program management and requires extensive defense-sector experience, with work primarily at the Washington Navy Yard and occasional travel to naval facilities on the East and West Coasts.

Pipeline hiring for hardware engineers at all experience levels. Work includes circuit board design, schematic capture, component selection and prototype bring-up, hardware debug/testing and failure analysis, integration with firmware/software teams, and design for manufacturability with production handoff.

Leads global hardware engineering and architecture for servers, firewalls, security appliances, switches, and access points. Defines system architectures, coordinates board and system design, power, signal integrity, mechanical and thermal engineering, validation, and compliance. Oversees internal and JDM/ODM development, executive reporting, product strategy, budgets, hiring, and team development while partnering with Software, Product, Finance, Operations, and Supply Chain.

Lead standardization strategy for optical transport and Ethernet technologies, develop and advocate contributions to standards bodies (ITU‑T, IEEE, OIF, OpenROADM), coordinate with PLMs and R&D, report progress internally, provide technical influence and guidance, and represent Nokia at standards meetings and industry events.

Design, build, and operate reliable backend systems while mentoring engineers, participating in design discussions, and improving system performance.