Entry Level Hardware and Systems Engineer

Position Overview

IBM Hardware and Systems engineers design and deliver the compute platforms that power the world’s most advanced AI, cloud, and enterprise technologies. From silicon to system, our teams collaborate across mechanical, electrical, computer, materials, and firmware engineering to design, prototype, and test next-generation IBM hardware. These roles offer hands‑on opportunities to innovate across IBM’s high‑performance systems portfolio — shaping the technologies that define what’s next.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and validate next‑generation compute systems by integrating expertise across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and materials engineering.
• Develop and optimize mechanical, thermal, and electrical components using CAD and EDA tools.
• Build and test hardware prototypes, perform debugging, failure analysis, and drive reliability and serviceability improvements.
• Model system‑level thermal and mechanical performance to enhance cooling, manufacturability, and efficiency.
• Create and utilize automation, firmware, and data analysis tools for hardware validation and testing.
• Apply design‑of‑experiments (DOE) methods to evaluate and improve processes, materials, and hardware designs.
• Support process and materials development, manufacturing readiness, and equipment IT integration within R&D environments.

Additional Areas: Physical and logic design; thermal and mechanical modeling; firmware and embedded systems; optics, photonics, and high‑speed interconnects; advanced materials, composites, and process development.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or advanced degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Materials, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with design of experiments (DOE) and/or project management.
• Experience or strong interest in process development, materials development, or equipment IT support.
• Hands‑on experience with hardware design, CAD tools (SolidWorks, Allegro, Cadence), or modeling/simulation environments.
• Proficiency in one or more programming or scripting languages (Python, C/C++, Bash).
• Strong analytical and communication skills with a focus on collaboration and data‑driven problem solving.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lab‑based development or validation work skills.
• Advanced technical degrees (M.S. or Ph.D.) in relevant disciplines.
• Experience leading project teams or cross‑functional technical initiatives.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks and/or finite element modeling (FEM) tools.
• Experience with firmware architecture, testing, and automation.
• Background in thermal modeling (6Sigma, FEM), signal processing, or hardware reliability.
• Familiarity with optical systems, including fiber optics, photonics, and transceiver design.