Senior Hardware Engineer About the RoleWe are seeking a dynamic, highly adaptable Senior Hardware Engineer to lead the electrical design and development of next-generation automotive lighting systems. In this role, you will take ownership of critical hardware modules, taking complex LED topologies, matrix switch architectures, and control electronics from initial concept through to high-volume automotive manufacturing.We are looking for an engineer who excels in taking end-to-end technical responsibility, bridging cross-functional gaps across mechanical, optical, software, and systems teams, and bringing a strong hardware background in EMC, signal integrity, and Design for Manufacturing.Key ResponsibilitiesHardware Architecture & Circuit Design: Design and develop automotive exterior (Headlamps, Adaptive Driving Beam / ADB, Rear Combination Lamps) and interior light control modules. Implement switching LED drivers (Buck, Boost, Buck-Boost), linear current sources, and matrix LED switch controllers.Networking & Control Systems: Integrate standard automotive communication buses (LIN, CAN / CAN-FD) and specialized high-speed lighting animation protocols (e.g., MeLiBu, OSP, UART) into Light Domain Control (LDC) units.Signal & Power Integrity: Analyze and optimize high-speed PWM dimming lines, transient responses, and power distribution networks to ensure reliable optoelectronic and circuit performance across automotive temperature ranges.EMC & Transient Protection: Engineer schematics and multi-layer PCB layouts to satisfy stringent automotive Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC), Electro-Static Discharge (ESD), and transient immunity standards (CISPR 25, ISO 11452, ISO 7637).Thermal Management & Sensing: Implement active thermal foldback, NTC sensing, and current derating strategies to safeguard LED junction temperatures and extend system longevity.Design for Excellence (DFM): Enforce strict Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Testability (DFT) guidelines for high-volume automated Surface Mount Technology (SMT) assembly.OEM Infrastructure Collaboration: Act as the hardware lead within the broader OEM infrastructure, collaborating closely with optical, thermal, software, mechanical, and system qualification teams.Proactive Gap Ownership & Debugging: Identify engineering risks early, conduct root-cause analysis (8D, FMEA) on prototype failures, and bridge technical gaps across disciplines to maintain production schedules.Education & ExperienceEducation: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field.Experience: Proven track record in hardware development for automotive electronics, specifically focused on automotive lamps, lighting modules, or high-power LED driver applications.Domain & Technology ExpertiseLED Driver Topologies: In-depth knowledge of Buck, Boost, Buck-Boost, matrix switch managers (ADB / pixel lighting), high-resolution PWM dimming, and linear constant-current driver ICs.Automotive Communication Protocols: Hands-on experience with LIN, CAN / CAN-FD, and high-speed lighting buses (MeLiBu, OSP, or UART-over-CAN/LIN).Silicon Platforms: Familiarity with 32-bit automotive microcontrollers (e.g., STMicroelectronics SPC5/STM32, NXP S32K, Infineon TRAVEO II / AURIX) and dedicated LED driver controllers (TI, ADI/Maxim, Melexis, NXP).EMC & Signal Integrity: Deep understanding of board-level low-noise design, filtering, shielding, high-frequency PCB stack-ups, and pre-compliance mitigation.Automotive Standards & Component Qualification:Quality: AEC-Q100 (ICs), AEC-Q101 (Discretes), AEC-Q102 (Optoelectronics/LEDs), AEC-Q200 (Passives).EMC/Immunity: CISPR 25 Class 5, ISO 11452, ISO 7637-2/3.Safety: ISO 26262 (Functional Safety awareness up to ASIL B/C).EDA Tools: High proficiency in professional PCB design and schematic capture suites (such as Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, or Mentor Graphics).Personal AttributesDynamic & Adaptable: Thrives in a fast-paced OEM engineering ecosystem and possesses the flexibility to step into adjacent technical areas to solve complex hardware challenges.High Ownership: Takes complete accountability for hardware deliverables from initial specification to mass production.Strong Communicator: Capable of clearly articulating trade-offs, design choices, and technical risks to internal engineering teams, suppliers, and OEM leadership.Key Details📍 Location: Timișoara, Romania (On-site)✈️ Travel: Periodic engineering trips to Silicon Valley, USA💼 Type: Full-time, Permanent Show more Show less