Sr Hardware Manager, (Board Design and Signal Integrity (SI) )

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks®, we’re united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you’re ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you’re in the right place.

Who We Are

In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us!

We believe collaboration thrives in person. That’s why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it’s needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes.

Job Summary

The Hardware Engineering Manager will be responsible for overseeing a hardware design team—specifically Board Design and Signal Integrity (SI) Engineers—ensuring the successful execution of projects from early concept through production. This role requires strong leadership, technical expertise, and a commitment to instilling a quality-focused mindset across the organization. The successful candidate will prioritize the creation and following of rigorous procedures and the implementation of AI-based tools to achieve the highest possible quality and efficiency as early as possible in the development cycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of board design and signal integrity engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and quality-first thinking.

• Instill a quality-focused mindset within the team, emphasizing that quality is a shared responsibility integrated into every stage of the design process.

• Evaluate, pilot, and integrate AI-based tools and machine learning techniques into the hardware development lifecycle to accelerate design cycles, automate routine tasks, and enhance quality.

• Establish, document, and enforce procedures and best practices for board design and SI methodologies to ensure repeatable, high-quality outcomes.

• Drive "Shift Left" initiatives to identify and mitigate hardware and signal integrity risks during the earliest phases of architectural definition and simulation.

• Oversee the entire hardware design lifecycle, from concept generation to detailed PCB design, simulation, prototyping, testing, production release, and sustaining.

• Collaborate with other disciplines within the Hardware Design team including:  PCB layout, Mechanical Design, Power Design, and Validation Test

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including ASIC/FPGA, software, operations, and product management to ensure seamless integration and product success.

• Review and approve hardware designs, ensuring they meet strict technical specifications, quality standards, cost targets, and project timelines.

• Create and maintain project schedules, resources, and budgets for hardware design activities.

• Identify and implement new technologies and EDA tools to enhance design capabilities and efficiency.

• Conduct weekly one-on-ones with direct reports, as well as mid-year and year-end performance reviews.

• Review career development opportunities as well as individual resource loading across multiple programs.

• Maintain a strong understanding of SI requirements, high-speed interface solutions, testing, and validation.

• Participate in design reviews and provide technical guidance and hardware problem-solving expertise.

• Participate in providing early-on guidance to Ops Supply Chain Management

• Influence overall team collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering preferred.

• Minimum of 10 plus years of experience in system-level hardware design.

• Minimum 5 plus years of experience of people management skills preferred.

• Proven track record of successfully leading hardware engineering teams and delivering high-quality, complex design solutions.

• Strong understanding of the overall product development process.

• Demonstrated success in process-driven engineering and a history of implementing quality-improvement procedures.

• Solid understanding of product validation testing.

• Proven ability to identify and leverage emerging AI/ML-driven EDA features or automation scripts to optimize engineering efficiency and quality.

• Strong proficiency in EDA software.

• Expertise in DFM (Design for Manufacturing) and DFT (Design for Test) principles.

• Strong understanding of product manufacturing processes (e.g., PCB fabrication, SMT assembly, and high-speed material limitations).

• Strong understanding of estimated PCBA and component costs.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to scale the team and foster a collaborative, inclusive environment.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks and resources effectively.

• Problem-solving mindset with a strong attention to resolution and root-cause analysis.

• Excellent understanding of the entire high-speed development process (e.g., feasibility, SI simulations, and system-level validation).

Desired Skills

• Experience in the networking or data center development space.

• Familiarity with PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems and document control.

• Strong experience with rapid prototyping and lab characterization techniques.

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/com-missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

$192,900.00 - $312,025.00/yr

Our Commitment

We’re trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at  accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com.

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship?: Yes