Sr/Staff Hardware Engineer

About BNSF | Tech

Be part of a team that values safety, inclusion, and excellence.

We are one of the largest U.S. railroads transporting the nation's freight across 28 western states and 3 Canadian provinces. As a member of our team, you will play a role in supporting the movement of essential products and materials that help feed, clothe, supply, and power communities throughout America and the world.

BNSF | Tech: Innovating and transforming the future of freight rail

BNSF | Tech is the technology division making BNSF the preeminent freight and mobility company in North America.

Are you ready to drive change? If you are passionate about making a difference and eager to advance your career in a dynamic and supportive environment, we want you on our team! Join us in reshaping the future of freight rail and discover a fulfilling career where your contributions matter. We are committed to a culture where all employees are included, belong, and have equal opportunity to achieve their full potential. Come make a difference with us!

Learn more about BNSF and our Benefits.

Job Details

Job Location: Remote US Anticipated Start Date: 04/01/2026

Salary Range: $165,000 - $300,000

• L5: $165,000 - $220,000
• L6: $225,000 - $300,000

The range represents the amount BNSF | Tech reasonably expects to pay for the position based on the level, scope, and responsibilities of the role. Individual compensation and level of position offered is determined by the hiring location and additional factors including but not limited to job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base pay and bonus eligibility, BNSF offers a comprehensive benefits package.

This is a full-time remote position. Employees may work from anywhere within the contiguous 48 states of the United States.

Travel: Up to 30%. Employees will be required to occasionally travel to our corporate headquarters in Fort Worth, TX for in-person meetings. Travel expenses for business needs will be covered by BNSF.

Work Authorization: This position is open to candidates who are currently authorized to work in the United States. We are also open to sponsoring H-1B transfers, TN nonimmigrant status, and STEM OPT candidates with at least 2 years of remaining eligibility.

Apply early as this job may be removed or filled prior to the closing date, which is approximately seven (7) days after the posting date.

Role Overview

We're looking for an Embedded Hardware Engineer who will design, build, and validate industrial-grade electronic hardware from schematic and PCB layout through prototypes, test, and production handoff. You'll evaluate components and platforms for harsh environments (EMI, vibration, temperature, dust/moisture), support IIoT connectivity, and collaborate closely with customers, firmware/software teams, and manufacturing partners to deliver reliable products at scale.

This is a hands-on role: if you like owning the board, the bring-up, the debug, and the "make it survive the factory floor" part of engineering, you'll fit well here.

The duties and responsibilities in this posting are representative categories to be used in deciding whether to apply for this position. This is not an exhaustive list of the position's duties.

Responsibilities

• Design and build PCBs: Own schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, and bring-up for embedded industrial systems (mixed-signal, power, high-speed interfaces where needed).
• Ruggedize for real-world conditions: Design for EMI/EMC, ESD, surge, grounding/shielding, thermal performance, vibration, and ingress constraints; select enclosures/connectors/cabling appropriate for industrial environments.
• Evaluate and select hardware: Choose sensors, compute modules/MCUs/SoCs, power architectures, comms modules, cameras/optics, and supporting components; assess availability, lifecycle, and cost.
• Support IIoT connectivity: Integrate and validate Ethernet, Wi-Fi, BLE, cellular, field I/O, and industrial interfaces (as applicable), with a focus on reliability and serviceability.
• Enable machine vision: Collaborate on camera/illumination integration, interface selection (e.g., MIPI CSI/USB/GigE where appropriate), signal integrity considerations, and compute/power tradeoffs for vision workloads.
• Develop validation and test strategy: Create test plans and fixtures; run and document electrical/thermal/environmental testing; debug issues with scopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and other lab tools.
• Drive DFM/DFT and production readiness: Work with manufacturing to improve yield, create assembly documentation, handle part substitutions, and manage ECOs.

What Success Looks Like

• You deliver boards that power up cleanly, pass validation, and survive industrial conditions.
• You reduce risk through smart part selection, clean interfaces, good testability, and strong documentation.
• You make firmware/software/mechanical teammates faster by providing crisp specs and rapid, disciplined debug.
• Customers trust you because you understand both their constraints and the engineering reality.

Commitment to Inclusion

At BNSF Railway, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, showcasing their skills, experiences, and development. We provide resources and tools to help you reach your full potential, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Authorized to work in the US.
• Minimum of 6+ years in embedded hardware design.
• Experience designing embedded hardware/PCBs end-to-end (schematic → layout → bring-up → validation → production handoff).
• Strong fundamentals in analog + digital design, including power regulation, ADC/DAC, clocking, level shifting, protection, and interface design.
• Comfort with industrial/rugged design constraints (EMC/ESD/surge, grounding, environmental and mechanical considerations).
• Practical debug skills using standard lab equipment (scope, DMM, logic analyzer; bonus for EMI pre-scan/spectrum analyzer experience).
• Experience working with customers and cross-functional engineering teams, including requirements gathering and technical tradeoff discussions.
• Ability to produce high-quality technical documentation and communicate clearly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in EE/CE (or equivalent practical experience).
• Experience with machine vision hardware (camera modules, optics/illumination constraints, thermal/compute impacts).
• Familiarity with industrial protocols/physical layers (e.g., RS-485/CAN, isolated I/O, industrial Ethernet considerations).
• Knowledge of IIoT architectures and edge deployment realities (remote updates/serviceability, uptime, observability, power reliability).
• Exposure to compliance and certifications (EMC/EMI standards, safety, environmental testing, IP ratings).
• Experience with EDA (KiCad or equivalent is fine), and with simulation/SI/PI tools as needed.
• Able to work now and in the future without BNSF's assistance (whether monetary, through sponsorship, or otherwise) in obtaining, maintaining, or extending employment authorization (including H-1B, STEM OPT/CPT, or TN nonimmigrant status).

Benefits

At BNSF, you will have access to a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including:

• An industry-leading 401(k) and renowned Railroad Retirement program.
• A range of robust health care options for you and your dependents (including domestic partners), including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, mental health, cancer support, and high-quality care network options.
• Health care spending accounts (HSA) with employer contributions, as well as life and disability insurance, provided at no cost.
• Family benefits including parental, pediatric and family building support, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, and dependent care spending account (with employer match).
• Access to discounts on travel, gym memberships, counseling services, and wellness support.
• Annual bonus (Incentive Compensation Program)
• Generous leave / time off policies.
• For more information, visit Benefits.

Important Information

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BNSF Railway is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.