Hardware Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Hardware Design Manager

Company: Ceragon

Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Hardware Engineering Management

Date Posted: 2026-07-29T09:52:17

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a team of hardware design engineers, fostering a culture of engineering excellence and innovation within a global engineering organization.

• Drive the end-to-end hardware development lifecycle for complex networking hardware platforms, from conceptualization through to production release and sustainment.

• Provide critical technical leadership for high-speed design, including Ethernet switches, routers, SerDes interfaces, PCIe, and PAM4 signaling.

• Oversee and conduct rigorous design reviews, architecture reviews, and root-cause investigations to ensure product quality and reliability.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including System Engineering, RF, Software, FPGA, Validation & Verification (V&V), and Manufacturing Engineering, to deliver robust hardware solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong blend of technical expertise in advanced hardware design and proven people management skills, with a focus on delivering complex networking products in a global, cross-functional environment. The emphasis on SerDes, PCIe, PAM4, and high-speed Ethernet indicates a need for expertise in cutting-edge telecommunications hardware.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and mentor a team of hardware design engineers, ensuring clear goal setting, technical guidance, and professional development.

• Own the hardware development schedule, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring timely and successful product launches.

• Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Test (DFT) initiatives to optimize production and reduce costs.

• Conduct and lead detailed design reviews, architecture reviews, and root-cause analyses for hardware failures and field issues.

• Review critical technical documentation, including schematics, PCB layout constraints, stack-ups, simulation results, and comprehensive validation plans.

• Ensure thorough electrical, functional, thermal, and environmental testing of developed hardware.

• Oversee laboratory activities, including board bring-up, signal integrity (SI) measurements, power integrity (PI) analysis, and product validation efforts.

• Collaborate with system architects to translate product requirements into robust and scalable hardware solutions.

• Facilitate a smooth transition from the development phase to manufacturing, providing necessary support and documentation.

• Manage hardware development projects involving geographically distributed teams across the United States, Israel, Europe, and Asia.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a manager who can not only guide technical execution but also manage project timelines, drive manufacturing readiness, and effectively coordinate global engineering efforts. The emphasis on DFM/DFA/DFT indicates a focus on product manufacturability and cost-efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a closely related technical field. Experience:

• Minimum of 10+ years of comprehensive hardware development experience, with a significant focus on networking hardware.

• Minimum of 5+ years in engineering management or direct team leadership, managing teams of at least four engineers.

• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex networking products from initial concept through to mass production and end-of-life. Required Skills:

• Expertise in high-speed Ethernet switches, routers, and complex networking hardware platforms.

• Deep understanding and hands-on experience with PCB design principles, constraints, and best practices.

• Proficiency in signal integrity (SI) and power integrity (PI) analysis, simulation, and review.

• Strong knowledge of SerDes interfaces, PCIe, and PAM4 signaling technologies.

• Experience with 100G Ethernet systems and associated design challenges.

• Expertise in timing, synchronization, and clock distribution systems.

• In-depth understanding of DDR memory subsystem design and optimization.

• Solid experience in Power Distribution Network (PDN) architecture and design.

• Proven ability in hardware debugging, root-cause analysis, and problem-solving.

• Experience with manufacturing support, product sustainment, and hardware lifecycle management.

• Direct experience managing hardware development teams, including resource planning, project execution, and performance management.

• Strong coaching, mentoring, and team-building skills to foster a high-performing engineering team. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within multinational engineering organizations and managing projects with geographically distributed teams.

• Direct collaboration experience with engineering teams across the United States, Israel, Europe, and Asia.

• Familiarity with RF engineering principles as they relate to integrated hardware platforms.

• Knowledge of FPGA design principles and integration with hardware.

• Experience with thermal management and environmental testing for complex electronic systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of deep technical expertise in high-speed digital design and networking, coupled with substantial management experience. The global engineering experience is a critical differentiator, highlighting the need for cross-cultural communication and management skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase successful delivery of at least one complex networking hardware product from concept to production, detailing the challenges and solutions encountered.

• Provide examples of hardware development processes implemented, focusing on efficiency, quality, and adherence to timelines.

• Demonstrate experience with system architecture translation into detailed hardware specifications and designs.

• Include evidence of managing hardware development schedules and meeting critical milestones. Process Documentation:

• Examples of hardware development lifecycle management, including planning, execution, and closure phases.

• Documentation of design review processes, including common pitfalls and best practices for effective reviews.

• Case studies on implementing DFM, DFA, and DFT initiatives and their impact on production efficiency and cost.

• Examples of root-cause analysis methodologies applied to hardware failures and field issues, with documented resolutions.

• Schematics, PCB layout guidelines, and SI/PI analysis reports for complex high-speed designs.

• Validation plans and test reports demonstrating comprehensive product testing and sign-off.

📝 Enhancement Note: Applicants will be expected to demonstrate a structured approach to hardware development, emphasizing process adherence, quality control, and manufacturing considerations. The portfolio should highlight leadership in managing complex technical projects and cross-functional teams.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for Hardware Design Managers with 10+ years of experience in Bengaluru, India, a competitive salary range would typically fall between ₹25,00,000 to ₹45,00,000 per annum. This estimate considers the specialized technical skills, management responsibilities, and the high cost of living in a major tech hub like Bengaluru. The exact compensation will be determined by the candidate's specific qualifications, previous experience, and interview performance.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employees and dependents.

• Retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.

• Paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, certifications, and conference attendance.

• Relocation assistance may be available for candidates moving to Bengaluru.

• Access to advanced laboratory equipment and engineering tools.

• Performance-based bonuses and incentives.

• Employee assistance programs for well-being support. Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

• Flexibility may be offered to accommodate project deadlines and global team collaboration, with potential for occasional evening or weekend work during critical project phases.

• The role is on-site, requiring consistent presence at the Bengaluru office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range is based on general market data for senior engineering management roles in India, specifically Bengaluru, factoring in the required experience and technical domain. Benefits are standard for large technology companies in the region.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Telecommunications Infrastructure / Networking Hardware. Ceragon Networks specializes in providing high-capacity wireless backhaul solutions, crucial for mobile network operators and enterprises. This industry demands innovation, reliability, and performance in hardware design.

Company Size: Ceragon Networks is a publicly traded company with a significant global presence, typically employing between 1,000 to 5,000 employees. This size suggests a stable, established organization with structured processes, but also offers opportunities to make a substantial impact.

Founded: Ceragon Networks was founded in 1996, indicating over two decades of experience in the telecommunications industry. This longevity points to a company with a proven track record, deep market knowledge, and resilience.

Team Structure:

• The hardware design team is likely composed of specialized engineers focusing on different aspects of hardware development (e.g., high-speed digital, power, RF integration, verification).

• This role reports to a senior engineering director or VP of Engineering, overseeing a team that collaborates closely with system architects, software engineers, FPGA developers, and V&V teams.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with regular interaction with product management, manufacturing, and quality assurance departments. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, with a strong emphasis on rigorous testing, simulation, and analysis to validate hardware designs.

• Agile methodologies may be integrated into hardware development workflows to manage complex projects and adapt to evolving requirements.

• A culture of continuous improvement is likely, with a focus on optimizing designs for performance, cost, reliability, and manufacturability.

Company Website: http://www.ceragon.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Ceragon's focus on wireless backhaul means the hardware is critical for network performance and reliability. The company culture likely values technical excellence, innovation, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, robust products. The global nature of its operations necessitates strong cross-cultural team management.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior management position, representing a significant step in a hardware engineering career. It involves direct people management, strategic technical direction, and accountability for major product deliverables.

Reporting Structure: The Hardware Design Manager will typically report to a Director or VP of Engineering. They will lead a team of individual contributors and potentially junior managers, and will interface with senior leadership across engineering, product management, and operations.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on Ceragon's ability to deliver competitive and reliable networking hardware. The success of the hardware designs directly influences product performance, manufacturing costs, time-to-market, and ultimately, the company's revenue and market share in the telecommunications infrastructure sector.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in emerging high-speed networking technologies (e.g., next-gen SerDes, advanced PAM modulation, novel power delivery techniques).

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into higher-level engineering management roles, such as Director of Hardware Engineering or VP of Engineering, overseeing larger teams and broader product portfolios.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to the strategic direction of hardware architecture and technology roadmaps for Ceragon's product lines.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop broader business acumen through closer collaboration with product management, sales, and marketing teams.

• Mentorship: Develop and mentor future engineering leaders within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career progression within hardware engineering management. The emphasis on technical depth combined with leadership responsibilities provides a strong foundation for advancement within the telecommunications hardware industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site at Ceragon's Bengaluru office. This typically implies a professional office environment designed to support engineering activities, including collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, and dedicated engineering labs.

Office Location(s): Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. This location is a major technology hub in India, offering access to a skilled talent pool and a vibrant ecosystem of tech companies.

Workspace Context:

• Access to state-of-the-art hardware development labs equipped with advanced oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and specialized measurement equipment.

• Collaborative team spaces designed to foster communication and problem-solving among engineers.

• A culture that encourages hands-on work with hardware, including board bring-up and experimental testing.

• Opportunities to work with cutting-edge technologies and contribute to innovative product development.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Monday to Friday. While a 40-hour work week is typical, the demands of hardware product development, especially during critical phases like product launches or issue resolution, may require flexibility and occasional extended hours to meet project deadlines and ensure timely delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role suggests an environment where hands-on hardware work, team collaboration, and direct access to lab facilities are prioritized. Bengaluru's status as a tech hub provides a dynamic professional environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess alignment with the core qualifications, particularly experience in hardware development, team leadership, and high-speed networking.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions focusing on your technical expertise in areas like PCB design, SI/PI, SerDes, PCIe, PAM4, DDR memory, and debugging methodologies. Expect scenario-based questions and problem-solving challenges.

• Management Interview: Evaluation of your leadership style, team management experience, coaching abilities, and experience with resource planning and project execution. You may be asked to describe how you've handled team challenges or motivated engineers.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where you will be asked to present detailed case studies of past hardware development projects. This is where you demonstrate your impact, problem-solving skills, and leadership in bringing products to market.

• Cross-Functional/Stakeholder Interview: Discussions with peers from System Engineering, Software, V&V, and potentially Manufacturing, to assess your collaboration skills and ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment.

• Final Interview: Often with senior leadership (e.g., VP of Engineering) to discuss strategic fit, long-term vision, and overall alignment with Ceragon's goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Leadership: Focus on your role as a manager and technical leader. Describe how you guided your team, resolved conflicts, and fostered growth.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics whenever possible. For example, "Reduced time-to-market by X%," "Improved product reliability by Y%," or "Achieved Z% cost savings through DFM initiatives."

• Structure Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline the objective, your team's approach, the technical challenges, the solutions implemented, your specific contributions, and the final outcome.

• Demonstrate Technical Depth: Be prepared to discuss the technical details of your projects, especially those involving high-speed design, SI/PI, and complex validation.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Detail specific instances where you or your team faced significant technical hurdles and how you systematically approached and overcame them.

• Address Global Collaboration: If applicable, describe experiences managing or collaborating with distributed teams, highlighting communication strategies and tools used.

Challenge Preparation:

• Technical Scenarios: Prepare to discuss common hardware design challenges in networking, such as signal integrity issues at high data rates, power delivery for complex ASICs, clock jitter management, and complex board bring-up scenarios.

• Management Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you handle underperforming team members, manage conflicting priorities, resolve technical disagreements within the team, and foster innovation.

• Product Lifecycle: Understand the entire hardware product lifecycle, from requirements gathering and architecture design to validation, manufacturing, and sustainment.

• DFM/DFA/DFT: Be prepared to discuss the importance and implementation of these principles in hardware design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess both deep technical competence and strong leadership capabilities. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly articulates past successes and demonstrates leadership in complex hardware development is crucial for this role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Schematic Capture & PCB Layout: Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, Mentor Graphics PADS/Expedition. Proficiency in one or more of these is essential for reviewing and guiding PCB design.

• Simulation Tools:

  • Signal Integrity (SI) & Power Integrity (PI): Keysight ADS, Ansys SIwave, HyperLynx. Essential for analyzing high-speed signal behavior and power delivery networks.
  • Electromagnetic (EM) Simulation: HFSS, CST Microwave Studio for complex EM analysis.

• Hardware Debugging & Analysis: Oscilloscopes (Tektronix, Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz), Logic Analyzers, Protocol Analyzers (e.g., for PCIe, Ethernet), Network Analyzers.

• Version Control Systems: Git, SVN for managing hardware design revisions.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Systems: Tools like PTC Windchill or similar for managing hardware design data, BOMs, and revisions.

• Project Management Software: Jira, Asana, Microsoft Project for tracking tasks, milestones, and team progress.

• Data Analysis Tools: Excel, Python (with libraries like Pandas, NumPy) for analyzing test data and performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• ERP Systems: SAP or similar for understanding manufacturing and supply chain aspects related to hardware production.

• Collaboration Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams for team communication and project updates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes advanced simulation and analysis tools critical for high-speed digital design. Experience with industry-standard EDA tools for PCB design and simulation is a must. A manager should be familiar with these tools even if not hands-on daily, to effectively guide and review their team's work.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Engineering Excellence: A commitment to high-quality design, rigorous validation, and continuous learning in hardware engineering.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative problem-solving and the exploration of new technologies to drive product differentiation.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team environment where open communication, knowledge sharing, and mutual support are paramount, especially across global teams.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of hardware development processes, deliverables, and outcomes, driving projects to successful completion.

• Customer Focus: Understanding customer needs and translating them into robust hardware solutions that meet performance and reliability expectations in telecommunications networks.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Encouraging seamless collaboration between hardware, software, system engineering, and manufacturing teams to ensure holistic product development.

• Open Communication: Promoting transparent and frequent communication channels, both within the hardware team and with external stakeholders.

• Feedback Loops: Establishing mechanisms for regular feedback on designs, processes, and team performance to drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Creating an environment where team members actively share insights, learnings, and best practices through design reviews, technical presentations, and informal discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values a blend of technical rigor and collaborative spirit, essential