Hardware Engineer II

SUMMARY:

The Hardware Engineer II is responsible for the architecture, integration, validation, and qualification of enterprise server platforms and advanced cooling technologies. This role leads system bring-up, hardware and firmware validation, reliability testing, root-cause analysis, and regulatory compliance efforts while supporting the full product lifecycle from concept and prototyping through manufacturing release and sustaining engineering. The position requires deep expertise in enterprise server architecture, operating systems, firmware, data center technologies, and advanced thermal solutions, along with strong leadership, automation, and cross-functional collaboration skills to deliver high-performance, reliable computing platforms.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Lead the configuration, integration, validation, and troubleshooting of enterprise server platforms, including firmware, BIOS, BMC, operating systems (Windows, Linux) , networking, and storage environments.

- Design, develop, and validate advanced thermal management solutions, including air-cooled, liquid-cooled, direct-to-chip, and immersion-cooled computing platforms.

- Lead hardware integration, prototype development, system bring-up, and engineering change implementation activities.

- Define and lead validation strategies, qualification plans, reliability assessments, and test methodologies for hardware, firmware, thermal, power, and system-level requirements.

- Analyze complex server architectures and conduct root-cause investigations to resolve system, subsystem, and component-level issues.

- Develop automation tools, scripts, and data collection frameworks to improve engineering efficiency and product validation activities.

- Utilize laboratory instrumentation and engineering tools to evaluate product performance, reliability, and compliance.

- Develop and maintain engineering documentation, specifications, test reports, qualification records, and technical assessments.

- Support manufacturing readiness, new product introduction (NPI), pilot builds, product launches, and sustaining engineering initiatives.

- Lead regulatory compliance and certification efforts, including EMC/EMI, safety, environmental, and product qualification testing.

- Lead cross-functional engineering projects and coordinate activities across engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, customers, and program management teams.

- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers, technicians, and other technical team members.

- Ensure c ompliance with engineering standards, laboratory safety requirements, company policies, and intellectual property protection practices.

- Maintain confidentiality of proprietary company information, engineering data, designs, customer information, and intellectual property in accordance with company policies.

- Design, develop, and maintain engineering laboratories, validation environments, test infrastructure, and supporting equipment.

- Occasionally supports hands-on hardware modification activities as required.

- Interpret and create engineering documentation, including schematics, block diagrams, technical specifications, assembly instructions, and design documentation.

- Learn about companys business as appropriate. Shows up to work on time and attends work as scheduled.

- All other duties as requested by supervisor or department head.

Qualifications

COMPETENCY QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If an employee does not meet the required competency level in any area, a required development training plan will be implemented.

Job-Specific Competencies:

(Education and/or years of experience; technical and/or analytical; software or applications; department and/or position specific; internal or external certifications required)

- Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.

- Linux certification(s) such as Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), Linux+, LPIC, or equivalent.

- CompTIA A+ certification required, or the ability to obtain certification within 90 day s of hire; equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant work experience may be considered.

- Experience designing, developing, and validating advanced thermal management solutions, including air-cooled, liquid-cooled, direct-to-chip, and immersion-cooled computing platforms.

- Experience with enterprise, cloud, AI, HPC, GPU, and accelerator-based computing platforms from NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, or similar technology providers.

- Experience performing system architecture development, platform design, and hardware solution definition for enterprise, cloud, or data center environments

- Familiarity with computational fluid dynamics (CFD), thermal analysis software, thermal modeling techniques, and performance optimization methodologies.

- Experience with server management technologies and infrastructure management protocols, including Redfish, IPMI, OpenBMC, and remote system management platforms.

- Knowledge of signal integrity, power integrity, power delivery networks, and high-speed interface design considerations.

- Experience with reliability engineering methodologies and tools, including FMEA, HALT/HASS, failure analysis, accelerated life testing, and design verification practices.

- Experience leading technical design reviews, customer engagements, supplier collaborations, and technical program reviews.

- Working knowledge of CAD tools, mechanical design software, product lifecycle management (PLM), and product data management (PDM) systems.

- Experience developing laboratory automation frameworks, data analytics solutions, test infrastructure, and engineering workflow automation.

- Industry certifications such as CompTIA Server+, Network+, Red Hat, VMware, Cisco, or equivalent infrastructure and enterprise computing certifications.

- Ability to follow all applicable Business Management System (BMS) processes.

Management Competencies:

(Management experience required)

- N/A

Core Competencies:

(Other core requirements including communication, presentation, langu age, math, and reasoning skills)

- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline; equivalent combinations of education, technical training, and relevant experience will be considered.

- Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in enterprise server development, systems engineering, hardware validation, product qualification, or related engineering disciplines.

- Strong knowledge of enterprise server architectures, including processors, memory subsystems, storage technologies, networking, accelerators, firmware, and high-speed interconnect technologies.

- Experience with x86-based server platforms and familiarity with Intel, AMD, ARM, or comparable processor architectures and platform technologies.

- Python/Bash/PowerShell scripting experience.

- Strong understanding of industry-standard interfaces, protocols, and networking technologies, including PCIe, NVMe, SATA, SAS, USB, Ethernet, I²C, SPI, UART, and related communication standards.

- Proven experience leading hardware validation, qualification, reliability, thermal characterization, performance analysis, and root-cause investigation activities.

- Experience developing validation strategies, test plans, qualification procedures, and verification methodologies for hardware, firmware, and system-level products.

- Proficiency with engineering laboratory equipment and diagnostic tools, including oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, logic analyzers, power supplies, signal generators, data acquisition systems, and thermal measurement instrumentation.

- Experience supporting manufacturing readiness, new product introduction (NPI), pilot builds, production qualification, and sustaining engineering initiatives.

- Working knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements, including EMC/EMI, safety, environmental, and product certification standards.

- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to prepare technical documentation and effectively communicate findings, risks, and recommendations to engineering teams, management, suppliers, customers, and executive stakeholders.

- Demonstrated technical leadership with experience driving cross-functional projects, leading technical investigations, and influencing engineering decisions across multiple disciplines.

- Ability to manage multiple priorities, balance technical and business objectives, and successfully execute projects in a fast-paced development environment.

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and engineering documentation tools.

- Fine Motor Skills

- Know and follow established company core values.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; to sit, stand, walk; and to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform physical tasks associated with hardware installation, assembly, and laboratory operations.

- Ability to work safely and effectively in an engineering laboratory environment, including prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, and working around electronic, mechanical, and thermal test equipment.

- Lifting Requirement: 50 pounds

- Lifting Limitation: 50 pounds

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

- Ability to work in an environment with moderate office and laboratory noise levels.

- Ability to work safely around energized electronic equipment, power distribution systems, and laboratory test equipment.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

UNICOM Engineering is a Strategic OEM Integration Partner; starting with scalable and reliable hardware, combined with a suite of services from design engineering to system integration, logistics, regulatory and trade compliance, as well as support. UNICOM Is known best for its solution design technologies, integration expertise, and unique deployment capabilities. UNICOM is proud to be in compliance with ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and TL9000; assuring that customers receive high-reliability products and services that meet or exceed industry standards. With primary facilities Plano, TX, Canton, MA, and Galway, Ireland, UNICOM continues to maintain one of the largest portfolios of purpose-built turnkey platforms. For additional information, visit: www.unicomengineering.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

UNICOMS VISION

To provide technology solutions to enable innovators to drive digital transformation and exceptional experiences

UNICOMS MISSION

Enabling global technology companies to deliver innovation while providing superior brand protection

UNICOMS CORE VALUES

Integrity, Partnership, Flexibility, Innovation, Flawless execution

PERKS OF WORKING AT UNICOM

Employees of UNICOM have a wide range of benefits available to them such as Medical, Dental, Vision, Healthcare and Dependent Care FSA, Voluntary Life Insurance Plans, and 401(k). UNICOM provides its employees with Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, and Short-Term Disability Insurance. In addition to accrued PTO, UNICOM offers 8 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays each year. UNICOM provides employees with a Tuition Reimbursement Program and Employee Assistance Program which also includes a large library of educational videos to encourage growth. UNICOM also provides employees with a Wellness Program to promote a healthy lifestyle. Peer recognition for going above and beyond is encouraged and milestone tenure is recognized and celebrated. UNICOM was given a rating of 4.19 (out of 5) on the confidential internal 2026 Employee Survey!