Hardware Architecture & RTL Design Engineer (MSc/PhD) — Frontier AI Research & Benchmarking

Operating at the intersection of enterprise data governance and foundation model alignment, ZR Talent Group is conducting an executive search for a distinguished Hardware Architecture & RTL Design Engineer (MSc/PhD) — Frontier AI Research & Benchmarking ($60 - $120/hour). This institutional engagement tasks qualified domain authorities in RTL, Hardware with establishing empirical benchmark standards, auditing complex model reasoning chains, and validating multi-step autonomous workflows under strict enterprise evaluation criteria.

Operational Scope & Core Responsibilities

• Use tools such as Python, MATLAB, Simulink, SPICE, Julia, C/C++, test automation platforms, or equivalent engineering software to validate results when relevant.
• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related field.
• Significant professional or research experience in hardware engineering, product development, systems integration, testing, validation, reliability, or failure analysis.
• Create technically rigorous, self-contained hardware engineering problems based on realistic industry or research scenarios.
• Develop clear reference solutions using engineering calculations, simulations, scripts, experimental reasoning, or other appropriate methods.

Professional Background & Competencies

• Complete an AI interview of approximately 30 minutes.
• Complete the hiring manager review.
• Demonstrated ownership of a substantial engineering problem—for example, a product or subsystem that reached production, a model validated against physical testing, a test system you developed, or a difficult failure you diagnosed.
• Experience working with Coding Agents is a must
• Apply to the role and complete the screening questions.

Institutional Remuneration & Contract Specifications

• Compensation Rate: $60 - $120/hour (verified contractor remuneration)
• Work Arrangement: 100% Remote / Work From Home
• Eligible Remote Countries: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa
• Core Competencies: RTL, Hardware
• Hiring Lead: Nathaniel Cross (Principal AI Placement Director) at ZR Talent Group

Direct Application Process: Click the Apply button on this page to submit your profile directly for immediate evaluation.