Hardware Quality Application Engineer

Duration: 3-month W2 contract with potential for full-time conversionOnly US Citizen or GC HoldersTHE ROLEThe ideal candidate is a hands-on hardware engineer with strong debugging skills, a disciplined approach to root-cause analysis, and experience with high-speed systems in Linux-based environments. You are detail-oriented, collaborative, and comfortable driving complex issues through resolution. You communicate clearly and effectively across engineering, operations, and manufacturing teams, and can drive cross-functional agendas with confidence. You actively seek out AI-powered tools and approaches to work more efficiently and expect them to be part of your everyday workflow.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES• Manage and track failure cases and RMA workflows in Salesforce; develop and maintain automation to streamline validation and reporting; support Salesforce UAT activities as required• Lead failure analysis of returned Pensando DPU and AI NIC hardware; perform structured RCA and author FA and 8D reports with actionable corrective actions• Develop and maintain diagnostic scripts, test procedures, RMA validation workflows, and custom debug tooling using Python, Bash, or equivalent• Identify recurring failure trends through data analysis and partner with Hardware, Design, and Manufacturing teams to drive systemic corrective actions• Support hardware debug in Linux-based environments, including mechanical assembly and cable routing review as part of failure investigations• Manage and track failure cases and RMA workflows in Salesforce; develop and maintain Salesforce-based automation to streamline validation workflows and reportingREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS• Strong bias toward leveraging AI tools to accelerate debugging, automate repetitive workflows, and improve overall engineering efficiency• 5+ years of experience in hardware engineering, failure analysis, or related roles• Strong knowledge of DPUs, AI NICs, PCIe, and high-speed networking• Experience with Linux-based diagnostics• Proficiency in Python, Bash, or other scripting languages• Experience developing custom debug and validation tools• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to drive cross-functional collaboration and align stakeholders across Hardware, Design, Manufacturing, and Operations teamsPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS• Experience with Salesforce for case management or workflow tracking• Background in manufacturing quality, reliability engineering, or RMA processesACADEMIC CREDENTIALS• Bachelors in Computer Engineering, or a related field preferred