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Senior Director, Hardware

sonicwall Remote, United States


No Relocation

Posted: August 18, 2026

Job Description

About the Role

The Senior Director, Hardware/Architecture role requires a dynamic R&D professional to lead the research, design, & execution of multi-disciplinary development of hardware systems, including servers/firewalls, security appliances, switches, & access points.  Scope includes management of cross-geo teams & driving development with JDM/ODM partners, primarily in Asia.

As a member of the hardware & operations leadership team, you will work closely with Software, Product, Finance, & Operations to align hardware strategy with business priorities. This role requires a leader who can operate at both a strategic and operational level, with a clear focus on execution, accountability, and results.

What You’ll Do

  • Design and Development leadership of global HW engineering team
  • Hands-on engagement with Software & Product leads for hardware architecture definition, including silicon selection & system power/thermal/mech decisions in line with target COGs 
  • Drive multi-disciplinary functions with a broad view of hardware development across all facets – board & system design, Power, SI, ECAD, Mech/Thermal, Validation, Compliance
  • Experience evaluating trade-offs in design for manufacturing, reliability, quality
  • Working knowledge in high-speed network interfaces (25Gbps+), PCIe gen3+, DDR4+, CPU (x86 or ARM) subsystems, WiFi, Cellular technologies
  • Provide visibility to executive leadership on performance, risks, and priorities
  • Advocate and drive career planning, compensation, and employee development across hardware org.  Drive hiring and resourcing plans (headcount & budget)

Qualifications

  • BS degree in EE or CE, with 15+ years of technical experience
  • Minimum 10+ years of technical & people leadership experience
  • Relevant experience in design of hardware products, with expertise in architecture, design tools & ecosystems such as PCB design, power management, logic design
  • Experience supporting new product introductions and influencing cross-functional decisions
  • Experience driving hardware development in both internal & JDM/ODM models
  • Ability to operate effectively at the executive level, internally and externally with JDM & supply chain execs
  • Experience building and leading high-performing teams
  • Strong strategic communication, with solid operations & financial acumen

Preferred

  1. Experience with servers, network security, firewall, and/or edge networking products
  2. Deep understanding of platform software requirements & ability to drive architectural decisions for well-integrated systems/solutions
  3. Ability to drive decisions across hardware functions including Mech/Thermal, SI, ECAD, Diagnostics, Validation, Compliance
  4. Familiarity with global JDM/ODM ecosystems, especially in Asia
  5. Trusted partnership with Software, Marketing & Supply Chain leadership for successful GTM & product lifecycle for high volume product families

Why This Role

This is a critical leadership role with direct impact on hardware product strategy & roadmap definition, revenue, cost structure, and customer delivery. You will shape how the company develops and delivers products at scale while partnering closely with executive leadership to drive business outcomes.

#LI-KB7

#LI-Hardware

#LI-Remote

Additional Content

About the Role

The Senior Director, Hardware/Architecture role requires a dynamic R&D professional to lead the research, design, & execution of multi-disciplinary development of hardware systems, including servers/firewalls, security appliances, switches, & access points.  Scope includes management of cross-geo teams & driving development with JDM/ODM partners, primarily in Asia.

As a member of the hardware & operations leadership team, you will work closely with Software, Product, Finance, & Operations to align hardware strategy with business priorities. This role requires a leader who can operate at both a strategic and operational level, with a clear focus on execution, accountability, and results.

What You’ll Do

  • Design and Development leadership of global HW engineering team
  • Hands-on engagement with Software & Product leads for hardware architecture definition, including silicon selection & system power/thermal/mech decisions in line with target COGs 
  • Drive multi-disciplinary functions with a broad view of hardware development across all facets – board & system design, Power, SI, ECAD, Mech/Thermal, Validation, Compliance
  • Experience evaluating trade-offs in design for manufacturing, reliability, quality
  • Working knowledge in high-speed network interfaces (25Gbps+), PCIe gen3+, DDR4+, CPU (x86 or ARM) subsystems, WiFi, Cellular technologies
  • Provide visibility to executive leadership on performance, risks, and priorities
  • Advocate and drive career planning, compensation, and employee development across hardware org.  Drive hiring and resourcing plans (headcount & budget)

Qualifications

  • BS degree in EE or CE, with 15+ years of technical experience
  • Minimum 10+ years of technical & people leadership experience
  • Relevant experience in design of hardware products, with expertise in architecture, design tools & ecosystems such as PCB design, power management, logic design
  • Experience supporting new product introductions and influencing cross-functional decisions
  • Experience driving hardware development in both internal & JDM/ODM models
  • Ability to operate effectively at the executive level, internally and externally with JDM & supply chain execs
  • Experience building and leading high-performing teams
  • Strong strategic communication, with solid operations & financial acumen

Preferred

  1. Experience with servers, network security, firewall, and/or edge networking products
  2. Deep understanding of platform software requirements & ability to drive architectural decisions for well-integrated systems/solutions
  3. Ability to drive decisions across hardware functions including Mech/Thermal, SI, ECAD, Diagnostics, Validation, Compliance
  4. Familiarity with global JDM/ODM ecosystems, especially in Asia
  5. Trusted partnership with Software, Marketing & Supply Chain leadership for successful GTM & product lifecycle for high volume product families

Why This Role

This is a critical leadership role with direct impact on hardware product strategy & roadmap definition, revenue, cost structure, and customer delivery. You will shape how the company develops and delivers products at scale while partnering closely with executive leadership to drive business outcomes.

#LI-KB7

#LI-Hardware

#LI-Remote