Hardware Engineer

Hardware Engineer (Mid–Senior Level)

Position & Location: Multiple openings at various levels in Hardware and Firmware Engineering (5–10 years of experience).

Location: Kolkata, India

Scope: Work on platforms and products deployed globally.

Role Overview

As a Hardware Engineer, you will be a key contributor in the design, development, and validation of hardware systems for next-generation smart metering products. This includes RF design, antenna optimization, and wireless connectivity (Cellular, NB-IoT, CAT-M1, sub-GHz RF). You will lead hardware design projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure designs meet performance, cost, quality, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

Hardware Design & Development

• Design and develop smart water, electricity, and gas meters with Cellular, NB-IoT, CAT-M1, and RF communication systems.

• Conduct sub-GHz RF circuit design, RF front-end optimization, and antenna matching/tuning.

• Perform impedance matching, RF link budget analysis, and RF simulation (ADS, HFSS, CST, or equivalent tools).

• Prepare Design Documents, WIS, and BoM.

• Develop low-power, high-reliability, and cost-optimized PCB designs including PCD layout for RF modules.

• Collaborate with firmware engineers to ensure system integration and communication protocol compliance.

• Conduct RF and EMC performance validation as part of product qualification.

Prototyping & Testing

• Develop and validate RF prototypes, optimizing antenna and wireless performance against product specifications.

• Execute RF test performance measurements: conducted & radiated tests, sensitivity, selectivity, power output, harmonics, spurious emissions.

• Validate antenna radiation patterns, return loss (S11), VSWR, and efficiency.

• Perform signal integrity tests, power analysis, and component characterization.

• Conduct failure analysis on RF & digital circuits, collaborating with QA for resolution.

Project Management

• Manage hardware/RF design projects from concept to production release.

• Lead design reviews, DFMEA/DFT/DFA/DFM/PFMEA activities.

• Mentor and guide junior engineers in RF design best practices.

• Support certification activities for global regulatory standards (ETSI, FCC, TRAI, BIS).

• Execute design pilots and oversee transfer to manufacturing.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's/Master's in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.

• 5+ years of senior-level experience in RF hardware design for smart energy meters or IoT devices.

• Expertise in RF front-end circuit design, antenna tuning, and wireless module integration.

• Strong knowledge of Cellular, NB-IoT, CAT-M1, and sub-GHz RF communication systems.

• Proficient in RF simulation tools (ADS, HFSS, CST, AWR, or similar).

• Skilled in impedance matching, PCD design, and antenna optimization techniques.

• Hands-on with Altium Designer or equivalent PCB tools.

• Solid understanding of microcontroller-based embedded hardware solutions.

• Strong experience in analog & digital circuit design, power supply design (DC-DC, Fly-back, Cap-drop).

• Proven EMI/EMC debugging and compliance skills.

• Familiarity with I2C, SPI, UART integration and debug.

• Experience using RF analyzers, spectrum analyzers, VNAs, MSO/DSO, and power analyzers.

• Knowledge of low-power system design for battery-operated devices.

Competencies

• Analytical Thinking

• Attention to Detail

• Leadership & Mentorship

• Collaboration & Communication

• Problem-Solving in fast-paced environments