The hardware engineering field is expanding faster than many other major industries. In 2022, there were 78,100 hardware engineers employed in the US, with a projected 5% increase in employment by 2032. Cities like Austin, TX, are notably leading this growth. Texas ranked among the top five states for hardware engineering employment, with approximately 4,000 experts statewide in 2022, including 1,380 in Austin.

Within Austin’s hardware engineering scene, several key roles drive the seamless integration, functionality, and reliability of electronic products. Let's look at six essential hardware engineering roles and their significance within modern product engineering teams in Austin.

1. ASIC/FPGA Engineers

Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) engineers form the backbone of electronic system development. ASIC engineers design custom integrated circuits tailored to specific applications, optimizing performance and power efficiency. Alternatively, FPGA engineers leverage reconfigurable hardware to swiftly prototype and iterate designs, offering scalability and flexibility.

Why They're Crucial:

• ASICs deliver top-tier performance and power efficiency, ideal for specialized applications in Austin's tech ecosystem.
• FPGAs provide versatility and rapid prototyping capabilities, enabling swift design iterations and testing, crucial for Austin's dynamic engineering environment.
• Both skill sets facilitate the implementation of complex functionalities, enhancing product competitiveness and reducing time-to-market.

2. DFT Engineers

Design-for-Test (DFT) engineers focus on ensuring that electronic systems are manufacturable and testable at scale. They integrate testability features into hardware designs, such as scan chains and Built-In Self-Test (BIST) circuits, enabling efficient testing during production.

Why They're Crucial:

• DFT engineers enable cost-effective manufacturing by implementing testability features that streamline production testing processes.
• Their expertise minimizes the risk of undetected defects in hardware, crucial for maintaining product reliability and quality within a competitive tech market.
• DFT considerations are vital for meeting strict industry standards and compliance requirements prevalent in Austin's tech industry.

3. Hardware Test Engineers

Hardware Test Engineers specialize in developing and executing comprehensive test plans to validate the functionality, performance, and reliability of electronic systems. They utilize various testing methodologies, including functional testing, boundary scan testing, and stress testing, to ensure product durability.

Why They're Crucial:

• Hardware test engineers identify and rectify design flaws early in the development cycle, reducing expensive rework and recalls.
• Their thorough testing protocols mitigate risks of product failures in real-world settings, crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and brand reputation in Austin's tech hub.
• Continuous collaboration with design and validation teams ensures that products meet design specifications and performance goals.

4. RTL Emulation Engineers

Register Transfer Level (RTL) emulation engineers focus on verifying and validating hardware designs before fabrication. They use emulation platforms to simulate and debug complex hardware designs at the RTL level, identifying and resolving design issues efficiently.

Why They're Crucial:

• RTL emulation accelerates the verification process, allowing for early detection and resolution of design errors.
• Emulation platforms provide a cost-effective means of validating hardware designs at scale, minimizing the risk of silicon respins.
• RTL emulation engineers play a crucial role in connecting design and verification teams, making collaboration and improvement smooth and seamless.

5. SoC Validation Engineers

System-on-Chip (SoC) validation engineers specialize in verifying the functionality and performance of integrated circuits within complex systems. They develop validation plans, conduct extensive testing, and debug issues to ensure SoC designs meet strict requirements.

Why They're Crucial:

• SoC validation engineers ensure that different hardware components work well together, ensuring smooth integration within complex systems.
• Their expertise in system-level testing identifies and mitigates potential bottlenecks and performance issues early in the development cycle.
• Collaborating closely with design, verification, and software teams, SoC validation engineers facilitate holistic product validation, driving innovation and reliability.

6. IC Design and Test Engineers

Integrated Circuit (IC) design and test engineers are responsible for conceiving, designing, and testing complex semiconductor devices. They leverage advanced design tools and methodologies to optimize performance, power efficiency, and manufacturability.

Why They're Crucial:

• IC design and test engineers lay the foundation for cutting-edge semiconductor technologies, driving innovation across industries.
• Their deep knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing processes ensures that IC designs can be efficiently produced in large quantities, meeting cost and production goals.
• Continuous innovation in IC design and test methodologies enables the development of high-performance, energy-efficient electronic products.

HIRING PRODUCT ENGINEERING SMES

The product engineering scene in Austin is rapidly evolving! Engineers specializing in these six skillsets are highly sought-after and vital for modern product development teams. By leveraging their combined expertise, organizations can create electronic products that are high-quality, reliable, and packed with features, meeting the demands of today's consumers.