Hardware Platform Development Lead

As a Principal Hardware Engineer at Nokia, you will take a leadership role in defining, designing, developing, and optimizing ethernet switching and routing products for service provider, data centre, and enterprise applications. You will work closely with a larger cross‑functional team including product line managers, hardware, software and mechanical and manufacturing engineers, as well as development and manufacturing partners to deliver high‑performance, innovative and reliable hardware platforms.

This role requires deep technical expertise, a passion for innovation, and a track record of successful execution.

DCN
2025

• Lead development of one or more hardware platforms from conception through release to production, working with either in‑house or development partner engineering teams, and ensuring designs meet performance, reliability, and cost targets.
• Lead and direct development activities including documentation, design and schematic implementation, PCB layout, unit and system‑level validation, regulatory and environmental specification conformance testing, and manufacturing readiness.
• Collaborate with software and firmware engineers to ensure seamless integration between hardware and software components.
• Develop and execute validation and verification plans to ensure hardware meets all functional and performance specifications.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with hardware design and production, including failure analysis and troubleshooting.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers, providing technical leadership and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage relationships with external suppliers and oversee key component selection.
• Understand and capitalize on industry trends and emerging technologies in both the technology partner ecosystem and applying new knowledge to enhance hardware design and development processes.
• Prepare and present technical documentation and report on program activities and status to stakeholders and senior management.

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of hardware development experience, with a strong track record in designing and developing hardware platforms for data networking applications.
• Thorough knowledge of project management and end‑to‑end hardware development processes.
• Expertise with high‑speed digital design, power‑systems design, constraint‑driven PCB layout, and design for manufacturing and test.
• Proficiency with EDA tool suites such as Mentor Xpedition, Cadence Allegro, OrCAD, or similar EDA tools.
• Solid understanding of hardware and software integration, including experience with ethernet switches and routers, x86 and ARM CPUs, FPGAs, and embedded systems.
• Experience with safety, EMC and environmental standards and regulatory compliance certification.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills, with the ability to analyze and resolve complex technical issues.
• Strong technical leadership abilities.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to present technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

The pandemic has highlighted how important telecoms networks are to society. Nokia’s Network Infrastructure group is at the heart of a revolution to bring more and faster network capacity to people worldwide through our ambition, innovation, and technical expertise.

Come create the technology that helps the world act together.

Nokia is committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. Your career here will have a positive impact on people’s lives and will help us build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable, and inclusive world.

We challenge ourselves to create an inclusive way of working where we are open to new ideas, empowered to take risks and fearless to bring our authentic selves to work.

What we offer:

Nokia offers continuous learning opportunities, well‑being programmes to support you mentally and physically, opportunities to join and get supported by employee resource groups, mentoring programmes and highly diverse…