ABOUT HMS NETWORKS
We shape the connected world!
HMS stands for Hardware Meets Software and we work to make the world more connected, productive, and sustainable. HMS industrial communication products enable millions of machines such as robots, drives and air-conditioners to get connected to software and systems – A necessity to meet the future demands for energy efficiency and sustainability.
We build the products that make industrial equipment talk to each other. Our communication cards and modules sit inside machines, robots and control cabinets around the world, connecting them to networks such as EtherNet/IP and PROFINET.
HMS Networks is a global leader in industrial ICT, connecting devices and systems across factory automation. Our Waterloo site is a center of expertise in industrial communications interfaces, working as part of HMS's global hardware community alongside teams in Sweden, France, and other locations around the world.
ROLE PURPOSE
We're looking for a mid-level Hardware Designer to join our Waterloo team, working on the design and development of embedded industrial communications products - adapters, gateways, and controllers that connect industrial equipment to Ethernet and fieldbus networks. You'll own schematic capture, PCB layout, and component selection, and contribute to new product concepts from early architecture through to bring-up
and validation. You'll work closely with firmware, mechanical, and compliance engineering throughout the product lifecycle, and collaborate with hardware teams across HMS's global sites.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design schematics and lay out multi-layer PCBs for embedded industrial communications products using Altium Designer
- Select and specify components, including identifying and qualifying alternates for supply-chain resilience and cost/lifecycle management
- Contribute to new product concept development and system-level architecture decisions
- Apply EMC/EMI-aware design practices throughout schematic and layout - grounding, shielding, filtering, and layer stack-up decisions that support compliance targets
- Support hardware bring-up: bench debug, oscilloscope and mixed-signal analysis, and EMC pre-compliance testing
- Design for industrial Ethernet interfaces (PROFINET, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP) and related physical-layer requirements
- Collaborate with firmware, mechanical, and product compliance teams through the full product development lifecycle
- Support root-cause investigation and design revisions for field or test-related issues
- Author and maintain design documentation, including requirements and hardware test cases
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent professional experience in hardware design
- Solid schematic capture and PCB layout experience in Altium Designer; experience with Cadence/OrCAD an asset
- Practical understanding of EMC/EMI principles as applied to PCB design (layout, grounding, filtering)
- Experience with, or strong interest in, industrial Ethernet protocols (PROFINET, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP)
- Comfort with hands-on lab work: bring-up, debug, and pre-compliance testing
- Ability to make sound component selection and alternate-sourcing decisions independently
Preferred
- ATEX or other hazardous-location design experience (intrinsic safety practices, ATEX-relevant layout considerations)
- Familiarity with industrial certification processes (UL, CE, EMC directives) from a design-support perspective
- Experience with high-speed digital or mixed-signal layout
- Background in factory automation, industrial IoT, or fieldbus-based products
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Fluent in written and spoken English, with the ability to collaborate effectively with global teams, including colleagues in Sweden and France
- Willingness to guide and support the work of junior designers as needed; this role has no direct reports
WORKING CONDITIONS
Hybrid schedule from our Waterloo, ON, CA office. Fulltime, day time hours.
TRAVEL
0-5%
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
HMS Networks provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HMS Networks complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
HMS is committed to an accessible and inclusive hiring process. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require an accommodation, please contact us and we will work with you to meet your needs.
