Staff Electrical Engineer

San Jose (Remote first, then on-site)

I’m currently partnered with a rapidly growing defense technology startup developing next-generation autonomous systems designed to operate in highly dynamic real-world environments. The company vertically integrates hardware and software to build advanced robotic platforms leveraging computer vision, embedded systems, controls, and electromechanical design to solve complex national security challenges.

Backed by highly technical founders with multiple successful exits, the team operates with a deeply engineering-first culture focused on speed, technical excellence, and deploying systems that have real-world impact.

They are seeking a highly skilled Electrical Engineer with strong expertise across schematic design, PCB layout, embedded systems, electrical simulation, and real-time firmware development. This individual will play a critical role in developing robust, high-performance electrical systems for advanced autonomous robotic platforms operating in demanding environments.

The position will initially begin remotely, before transitioning into a full-time on-site role based in San Jose as the team continues building out its local engineering presence.

What You’ll Do

Design and develop embedded and power electronics systems for autonomous robotic platforms

Create detailed electrical schematics and PCB layouts focused on reliability, signal integrity, power distribution, and manufacturability

Develop real-time embedded software in C++ and Python for robotics and autonomous systems applications

Perform simulation, validation, testing, and debugging across electrical and embedded systems

Work closely with mechanical and software engineering teams on full electromechanical system integration

Optimize embedded systems for low-latency, real-time performance under hardware and power constraints

Support hardware bring-up, troubleshooting, field testing, and system validation efforts

What They’re Looking For

Strong background in electrical engineering and embedded systems development

Experience with microcontroller-based systems, power electronics, motor drives, and embedded control systems

Expertise with schematic capture and PCB layout tools such as Altium, OrCAD, or similar

Strong C++ experience within embedded or real-time systems environments

Experience integrating sensors, actuators, communications interfaces, and robotic hardware systems

Familiarity with communication protocols such as CAN, UART, SPI, I2C, TCP/IP, or UDP

Hands-on experience with testing, debugging, and validation of embedded hardware/software systems

Experience working on robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace, defense, or other highly constrained embedded platforms is highly preferred

Nice to Have

Embedded Linux or RTOS experience

Thermal management or high-power systems experience

Experience optimizing systems for low-latency or real-time performance

Prior experience operating within startup or fast-moving engineering environments

What’s Offered

Competitive salary

Meaningful equity package

Health, dental, and vision insurance

PTO

Opportunity to work on highly advanced autonomous systems alongside a deeply technical engineering team