📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Hardware Design Manager
Company: Emerson Career Site
Location: Round Rock, Texas, United States
Job Type: Full time
Category: Hardware Design Management
Date Posted: 2025-06-12T23:32:02
Experience Level: 10+ years
Remote Status: Hybrid
🎨 Role Summary
- Lead a multidisciplinary design team focused on the development and support of DeltaV hardware products, encompassing electronics, embedded software, and mechanical design disciplines.
- Drive technical excellence in hardware design, including analog and digital signal processing, ensuring robust and reliable product performance.
- Oversee the full hardware lifecycle from initial concept and design iteration through to product launch and ongoing sustainment efforts.
- Champion rigorous verification and validation testing, including functional, environmental, and compliance testing (EMI/EMC, hazardous area certification).
🖼️ Primary Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a team of hardware design engineers, embedded software developers, and mechanical designers, providing technical guidance and mentorship.
- Drive the design, development, and testing of electronic circuits, including PCB layout and component selection, ensuring compliance with performance and reliability standards.
- Oversee the development and integration of embedded software with hardware components, ensuring seamless functionality and performance.
- Direct the mechanical design process for product enclosures and chassis, focusing on thermal management, structural integrity, and manufacturability considerations.
- Coordinate project timelines, manage resources, and mitigate risks across multiple concurrent hardware development projects.
- Collaborate closely with software development, product engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to ensure design objectives are aligned with production requirements.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives in hardware design processes, documentation standards, and design for manufacturability/testability practices.
- Partner with Marketing and Architecture teams to define product features and align the development backlog with business needs and market demands.
- Estimate project costs and development timelines in collaboration with architecture and engineering leads, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
- Engage and manage external third-party development partners to supplement internal design capabilities and expertise.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical or design field is required. Advanced degrees are preferred and may substitute for some experience, emphasizing a strong theoretical foundation in hardware design principles.
Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in hardware development, with at least 3 years specifically in a leadership or management role overseeing design teams. A strong portfolio or demonstrable track record of successfully leading complex hardware product development from concept to launch is essential.
Required Skills:
- Extensive experience in electronic circuit design, including analog and digital signal processing, schematic capture, and PCB layout.
- Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary engineering teams, including hardware design, embedded software, and mechanical design professionals.
- Strong technical background in product testing methodologies, including functional, environmental, and robustness testing.
- Familiarity with embedded systems development and their integration with hardware components.
- Experience with regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., EMI/EMC) and designing for high reliability in industrial environments.
- Demonstrated success in managing complex engineering projects, including planning, resource allocation, risk management, and execution.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional teams (software, manufacturing, supply chain, marketing).
- Legal authorization to work in the United States without need for sponsorship now or in the future.
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with DeltaV architecture and industrial automation systems, demonstrating an understanding of the domain.
- Experience working within regulated industries such as process control, power generation, or oil & gas, highlighting knowledge of industry-specific standards.
- Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, Profibus, Ethernet/IP) and functional safety standards (e.g., IEC 61508).
- Exposure to hardware cybersecurity concepts and secure design principles.
🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- While not a traditional design portfolio for visual design, candidates should be prepared to present case studies of past hardware development projects they have led or significantly contributed to.
- Case studies should detail the project's objectives, technical challenges encountered, design decisions made (including trade-offs), team management approach, and the final outcome.
- Highlight projects involving complex system integration across electronics, embedded software, and mechanical design.
- Include examples demonstrating experience with design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for testability (DFT).
Process Documentation:
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to the hardware development lifecycle, from initial concept and requirements gathering to detailed design, prototyping, testing, and production release.
- Demonstrate experience with formal documentation practices, including design specifications, test plans, and manufacturing documentation.
- Discuss methods for managing design iterations, revisions, and change control within a team environment.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry data for Hardware Design Managers in Round Rock, TX, with 10+ years of experience in the industrial automation sector, a typical salary range is estimated to be between $140,000 and $180,000 annually. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, technical expertise, leadership track record, and the overall compensation structure of Emerson. (Data sources include Glassdoor, Payscale, and industry-specific compensation reports for the Texas region, adjusted for the specific experience level and technical requirements of the role).
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Medical Insurance plans designed to meet diverse health needs.
- Dental and Vision Coverage to support overall employee wellbeing.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing confidential support for personal and work-related challenges.
- Robust 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contributions to support long-term financial security.
- Tuition Reimbursement program to encourage continuous learning and professional development in relevant fields, including advanced design methodologies or technical specializations.
- Participation in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) fostering a sense of community and belonging.
- Recognition programs to acknowledge and reward employee contributions and achievements.
- Flexible Time Off plans, including vacation and holiday leave, promoting work-life balance.
- Paid Parental Leave (maternal and paternal) supporting new parents.
Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid work model offers flexibility, though presence in the Round Rock office will be required for team collaboration, lab work, and access to hardware resources.
🎯Team & Company Context
🏢 Company & Design Culture
Industry: Automation Machinery Manufacturing. Emerson is a leader in providing innovative process automation systems that are critical to global infrastructure across diverse industries. This context implies a design culture focused on reliability, safety, performance, and long-term product lifecycle in demanding industrial environments.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees globally (LinkedIn data). A large, established company like Emerson suggests a structured design organization, potentially with established design processes, quality standards, and opportunities for collaboration across a wide range of technical disciplines.
Founded: Emerson has a long history, with its roots tracing back to the late 19th century. This indicates a mature company with deep industry expertise and a focus on sustained innovation in its core markets.
Team Structure:
- The role leads a multidisciplinary team including electronics, embedded software, and mechanical design engineers.
- The manager will coordinate closely with software development, product engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing, indicating a highly collaborative and integrated product development environment.
- Reporting structure likely involves reporting to a higher-level engineering or product development leader within the DeltaV organization.
Methodology:
- Likely employs structured hardware development methodologies, potentially including phased gate processes or agile-inspired approaches adapted for hardware.
- Emphasis on rigorous verification and validation testing throughout the design cycle.
- Strong focus on design for manufacturability (DFM), design for testability (DFT), and regulatory compliance.
Company Website: https://www.emerson.com/
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Design Career Level: This is a management-level role, likely corresponding to a Senior Manager or Director level within a large engineering organization. The role involves leading multiple projects and a multidisciplinary team, indicating significant responsibility and influence over product development outcomes.
Reporting Structure: The Hardware Design Manager will likely report to a Director of Engineering, VP of Hardware, or a similar senior leadership position within the DeltaV or broader Automation Solutions division. This position sits within the management track, distinct from individual contributor design roles.
Design Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on the core DeltaV hardware product line, which is central to Emerson's Automation Solutions business. The manager's leadership in design quality, reliability, and innovation directly influences the success and reputation of Emerson's automation systems in the market.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential for advancement to higher levels of engineering management, such as Director or Senior Director roles overseeing larger teams or broader product portfolios.
- Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific technical areas (e.g., functional safety, cybersecurity) or industrial domain knowledge.
- Possibility of moving into technical architecture, product management, or program management roles, leveraging the broad technical and leadership experience gained.
🌐 Work Environment
Studio Type: Office environment with significant access to hardware labs and testing facilities. The hybrid nature suggests a blend of remote work flexibility with required in-office presence for hands-on work, team collaboration, and access to specialized equipment.
Office Location(s): The primary location is Round Rock, TX. Emerson has global operations, but this specific role is tied to the Round Rock facility, which likely houses significant R&D and engineering resources for the DeltaV product line.
Design Workspace Context:
- The workspace will likely include standard office areas for individual work and meetings, alongside dedicated lab spaces equipped for electronic circuit testing, prototyping, mechanical assembly, and environmental testing.
- Collaboration spaces will be available for team meetings, design reviews, and cross-functional interactions.
- Access to specialized design software, simulation tools, and hardware development platforms will be provided.
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically standard business hours. The hybrid model implies flexibility regarding specific days in the office versus remote work, subject to project needs, team collaboration requirements, and access to lab facilities.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Design Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: Expect a recruiter screen to discuss basic qualifications, experience, and interest in the role.
- Technical Interview(s): Multiple rounds focusing on technical depth in hardware design (electronics, embedded systems, mechanical integration), testing methodologies, and regulatory compliance. Be prepared to discuss specific technical challenges you've solved.
- Leadership/Behavioral Interview(s): Questions assessing leadership style, team management experience, project execution capabilities, conflict resolution, and ability to drive continuous improvement.
- Case Study/Portfolio Review: As discussed in the Portfolio section, be ready to present case studies of past projects, focusing on your leadership role, technical contributions, and process management.
- Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with peers or managers from related teams (e.g., Software Engineering, Product Management, Manufacturing) to assess collaboration skills and fit within the broader organization.
- Final Interview(s): Discussions with senior leadership (e.g., Director, VP) to evaluate overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with organizational goals.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Structure your case studies clearly, outlining the problem, your team's approach (highlighting your leadership and key design decisions), the technologies used, challenges overcome, and the final outcome/impact.
- Focus on projects that demonstrate experience across the full hardware development lifecycle and integration of different technical disciplines.
- Quantify results where possible (e.g., improvements in reliability, cost reduction, time to market).
- Be prepared to deep dive into technical details and justify design choices.
Challenge Preparation:
- While a formal design challenge (like a take-home exercise) is less common for this level of hardware management role compared to individual contributor design roles, be prepared for in-interview technical problem-solving discussions related to hardware design scenarios, team management challenges, or project planning exercises.
- Review fundamental principles of electronic design, embedded systems, and mechanical engineering relevant to industrial automation.
- Practice articulating your thought process for solving complex technical or team-related problems.
ATS Keywords: Hardware Design, Electronics Design, Embedded Systems, Mechanical Design, Team Leadership, Project Management, Product Development Lifecycle, Verification & Validation, Testing, EMI/EMC, Hazardous Area Certification, Reliability, Manufacturability (DFM), Testability (DFT), Analog Circuits, Digital Signal Processing, PCB Design, Industrial Automation, DeltaV, Process Control, Functional Safety, Cybersecurity, Regulatory Compliance, Cross-functional Collaboration, Mentorship, Continuous Improvement, Risk Management, Resource Management, Vendor Management.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Design Tools:
- Likely use industry-standard Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools for schematic capture and PCB layout (e.g., Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, Mentor Graphics Expedition). Proficiency with specific tools should be highlighted.
- Simulation tools for circuit analysis (e.g., SPICE) and signal integrity analysis.
- Software development environments and debuggers for embedded systems (specific tools depend on the microcontroller architecture used).
- Mechanical design software for 3D modeling and drafting (e.g., SolidWorks, PTC Creo).
Collaboration & Handoff:
- Project management tools (e.g., Jira, Azure DevOps) for tracking tasks, timelines, and resources.
- Version control systems (e.g., Git, SVN) for managing hardware design files, embedded code, and documentation.
- Collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack) for team communication and file sharing.
- Documentation tools for creating design specifications, test reports, and manufacturing instructions.
Research & Testing:
- Laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, power supplies, and environmental chambers for testing and validation.
- Potentially use specialized tools for compliance testing (e.g., EMI/EMC pre-compliance testers).
- Tools for data acquisition and analysis during testing.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Design Values:
- Reliability & Quality: Given the critical nature of industrial automation, a strong emphasis on designing highly reliable and robust hardware is paramount.
- Safety & Compliance: Adherence to industry safety standards (e.g., functional safety) and regulatory compliance is a core value.
- Innovation: While focused on established product lines, there is a drive for continuous improvement and incorporating new technologies to enhance product capabilities.
- Collaboration: Strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork with software, manufacturing, and other teams to deliver integrated solutions.
Collaboration Style:
- Collaborative and integrated approach across hardware, embedded software, and mechanical design disciplines.
- Regular team meetings, design reviews, and technical discussions are likely part of the workflow.
- Close partnership with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure designs are manufacturable and cost-effective.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Design Challenges:
- Managing the complexity of integrating electronic, embedded software, and mechanical systems into cohesive hardware products.
- Ensuring designs meet stringent requirements for reliability, safety, and performance in harsh industrial environments.
- Keeping pace with evolving technologies and incorporating them effectively into new product designs or updates.
- Managing project timelines and resources effectively while balancing multiple concurrent development efforts.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas like functional safety, industrial cybersecurity, or advanced control systems.
- Participation in industry conferences, workshops, and training programs related to hardware design, industrial automation, and leadership.
- Mentorship opportunities within Emerson's large engineering organization.
💡 Interview Preparation
Design Process Questions:
- Describe your typical hardware development process, from concept to production. How do you ensure design quality and reliability at each stage?
- Provide an example of a complex technical challenge you faced in a hardware design project and how your team (under your leadership) successfully resolved it.
- How do you approach design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for testability (DFT)? Provide specific examples from past projects.
Company Culture Questions:
- What attracts you to working in the industrial automation sector and specifically on DeltaV hardware products? (Research Emerson and DeltaV beforehand).
- How do you foster collaboration and communication within a multidisciplinary team of hardware, software, and mechanical engineers?
- Describe your leadership style and how you motivate and develop team members.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Select 2-3 key projects that best showcase your leadership in complex hardware development, multidisciplinary integration, and successful project execution.
- For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your team's approach (emphasizing your role and key decisions), the technical solutions implemented, and the quantifiable results or impact.
- Be prepared to discuss challenges faced and lessons learned from each project.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this design position:
- Submit your application through this link.
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in hardware design, team leadership, project management, and experience in regulated industries or industrial automation. Use keywords from the ATS Keywords list.
- Prepare case studies of your most impactful hardware development projects, focusing on your leadership role and technical contributions, ready to discuss them during interviews.
- Research Emerson, the DeltaV product line, and the industrial automation market to demonstrate your interest and understanding of the domain.