Lead Hardware Engineer

Location: Horsham, PA, United States; Hybrid

The Lead Hardware Engineer will be responsible for developing, testing and enhancing Coherent’s optical transceiver products. Working within a multidisciplinary design team, this position will own the hardware elements of assigned designs while collaborating closely with engineers across firmware, manufacturing, test and other technical disciplines.

The successful candidate will contribute to design reviews, define product architectures, evaluate product performance and identify opportunities to improve existing and future products.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Independently lead hardware design and development activities, including: 
  • Evaluation and selection of optical and RF components. 
  • RF, analogue and digital circuit design and simulation. 
  • Schematic capture and PCB layout. 
  • Design verification testing, troubleshooting and performance analysis. 
• Develop hardware for optical transceiver modules in accordance with project schedules, technical requirements and delivery milestones. 
• Define and document digital control requirements for implementation by firmware engineers. 
• Coordinate hardware development activities with firmware, manufacturing, test and other cross-functional teams. 
• Participate in hardware design reviews and contribute to the definition of product architectures. 
• Ensure designs align with applicable industry standards and customer requirements. 
• Evaluate future product requirements and develop the hardware architectures needed to support them. 
• Identify and implement improvements to product performance, reliability and manufacturability. 
• Provide technical training and support to Coherent colleagues within the relevant area of expertise. 
• Engage with key customers to provide technical guidance and support when required. 

 

About You

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related discipline. 
• Two to five years of relevant hardware engineering experience, ideally within optical communications, photonics, RF or another high-technology environment. 
• Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout tools. 
• Strong experience in analogue and digital circuit design and simulation. 
• Practical experience with PCB design, layout, testing and troubleshooting. 
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of technical deliverables. 
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams. 

 

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position: 

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust 
Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas 
Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome 
Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone 
Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work 

APPLICATION & SELECTION 

Current employees who wish to apply should submit a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and how their skills and experience align with the requirements of the role. 

If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the application process, please reach out to Alyxandra.Highland@coherent.com. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. 

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.


Hardware engineer responsible for developing and testing Coherent transceivers. Will work as part of a design team, including designers from other disciplines, but will be primarily responsible (i.e., owner) for the hardware aspects of the design. Will also collaborate with other hardware engineers to perform/participate in design reviews, define architectures for assigned products, evaluate performance of products/make enhancements to product performance.