Senior Electrical Engineer – SD-WAN & PoE Switching (ODM/JDM Program Lead)

Who You’ll Work With
You will work closely with Product Line Management, Supply Chain, Software, Diagnostics, and Test & Compliance Engineering, along with our Outside Design and Manufacturing (ODM/JDM) partners, to drive cost-optimized solutions with the best power and performance in the industry.
You’ll focus on SD-WAN appliances and Commercial & Industrial PoE Switches that define network performance, reliability, and security for enterprise campuses and branch offices. Together, we innovate on system architectures, high-speed PCB designs, and signal integrity to deliver state-of-the-art products that power modern networking environments.

What You’ll Do
You will lead the end-to-end hardware design and ODM/JDM program execution for advanced networking solutions, with primary focus on SD-WAN appliances and secondary focus on Commercial & Industrial PoE Ethernet switches. This role combines hands-on electrical engineering leadership with program management responsibilities.

Hardware Design & Engineering Leadership

• Author hardware functional specifications for SD-WAN appliances and PoE Ethernet switches
• Define critical components and lead component selection, qualification, and lifecycle management
• Review schematics. PCB layout and routing strategies
• Review signal integrity simulations on power and datapath signals (DDR, PCIe, Ethernet, USB, PoE, Common Mode)
• Review PCB stackup and fabrication details with ODM/JDM partners
• Lead lab bring-up and debug of SD-WAN and PoE switch prototypes, in coordination with our ODM/JDM partners
• Drive complex system-level debug across software, diagnostics, hardware, and test teams
• Ensure products meet test & compliance engineering requirements for regulatory and performance standards

ODM/JDM Program Management

• Lead and manage ODM and JDM partners from concept through production
• Drive project schedules, risk management, and milestone tracking for SD-WAN and PoE switch programs
• Coordinate with Supply Chain and overseas ODM/JDM partners from proto through mass production
• Train ODM/JDM teams on high-yield test procedures and manufacturing requirements
• Apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles to ensure successful mass production and cost optimization
• Guide and mentor groups of engineers, including junior hardware engineers
• Work with Product Line Management to define product requirements and prioritize features SD-WAN & PoE Switch Focus
• Lead hardware architecture and design for SD-WAN appliances with embedded x86/ARM systems
• Design Commercial & Industrial PoE Switches delivering security and reliability for enterprise campuses and branch offices
• Design systems featuring WiFi/Cellular/RF interfaces for SD-WAN connectivity
• Integrate high-speed interfaces (DDR, PCIe, Ethernet) for SD-WAN and PoE switch performance requirements
• Optimize for best power and performance in the industry while maintaining cost efficiency
• Ensure SD-WAN and PoE products meet enterprise security, reliability, and performance standards

Qualifications

• BSEE or MSEE (Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering)
• 10+ years of relevant experience in hardware engineering and product development
• Experience working with ODM and JDM partners in networking hardware
• Networking hardware design experience, particularly Ethernet switching and SD-WAN appliances
• Embedded x86/ARM system design experience (highly desirable)
• Experience with systems featuring WiFi/Cellular/RF interfaces
• High-speed interface design: DDR, PCIe, Ethernet (1G/2.5G/5G/10G, 25G, 100G), USB
• Writing specifications and drawing schematics for PoE and SD-WAN platforms
• Strong collaboration with CAD designers on complicated layout and routing
• Experience working with Software, Diagnostics, and Test & Compliance engineers to bring-up and debug systems
• Signal integrity and power integrity expertise: impedance, PDN, differential routing, insertion loss, S-parameters, TDR, VNA, Common Mode Noise
• Mass production DFM experience with proven concept-to-production deliveries
• FPGA design and system simulation using Verilog (if applicable)
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams
• Proven track record of successfully taking products from concept to production
• Experience driving cost-optimized solutions with industry-leading power and performance

The new hire base pay for this role has a salary range of $160,000 to $180,000. Arista offers different pay ranges based on work location, so that we can offer consistent and competitive pay appropriate to the market. The actual base pay offered will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, relevant experience, and work location. The pay range provided reflects base pay only and in addition certain roles may also be eligible for discretionary Arista bonuses and equity. Employees in Sales roles are eligible to participate in Arista’s Sales Incentive Plan, which pays commissions calculated as a percentage of eligible sales. US-based employees are also entitled to benefits including medical, dental, vision, wellbeing, tax savings and income protection. The recruiting team can share more details during the hiring process specific to the role and location.

Arista Networks is an industry leader in data-driven, client-to-cloud networking for large data center, campus and routing environments. What sets us apart is our relentless pursuit of innovation. We leverage the latest advancements in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and software-defined networking to provide our clients with a competitive edge in an increasingly interconnected world. Our solutions are designed to not only meet the current demands of the digital landscape but to also anticipate and adapt to future challenges.
At Arista we value the diversity of thought and perspectives that each employee brings to the table. We  believe that fostering an inclusive environment, where individuals from various backgrounds and experiences feel welcome, is essential for driving creativity and innovation.
Our commitment to excellence has earned us several prestigious awards, such as Best Engineering Team, Best Company for Diversity, Compensation, and Work-Life Balance. At Arista, we take pride in our track record of success and strive to maintain the highest standards of quality and performance in everything we do.

 

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Arista Networks is an equal opportunity employer.  Arista makes all hiring and employment-related decisions in a non-discriminatory manner without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or any other factor determined to be unlawful under applicable federal, state, or law law.  All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.