Hardware Engineer (San Francisco) Job at Stealth Startup in San Francisco

Hardware Engineer Handson Hardware

Were a stealth hardware startup based in San Francisco on a mission to unlock new energy for frontier applications from physical AI and robotics to connected devices and mobility. Our technology turns everyday surfaces into power sources, reshaping how energy is generated and delivered to where electrons are needed most. Were a small, focused team with an unfair edge: an exited founder, deep Big Tech and robotics experience, and more than 30 years of handson hardware supplychain expertise.

Role

Were hiring a handson hardware engineer who loves building, breaking, and iterating. Youll own rapid prototyping and customerfacing demo assemblies, taking concepts from sketch to parts to onbench bringup to fieldready units. Youll also serve as a technical point of contact for pilots, helping customers integrate our modules into real products (devices, sensors, drones, vehicles, etc.).

What youll do

• Rapid prototyping: Design and assemble electromechanical demos, fixtures, and test jigs (3D print, lasercut, machine, wire, crimp, solder).
• Electrical integration: Select and integrate MPPTs, DCDCs, BMS/chargers (incl. USBC PD), and protection circuits; PCB edits when needed.
• Firmware bringup: Configure microcontrollers/embedded dev boards for telemetry, logging, and powerpath control.
• Validation & test: Plan and run bench, environmental, and abuse tests; characterize power under varied spectra/angles; track data and report results.
• Customer integration & field work: Support pilots from scoping to install; travel onsite to debug; create clear install guides and wiring diagrams.
• Sustaining & support: Triage field issues, perform rootcause analysis, drive corrective actions, and own repair processes when needed.
• Documentation: Keep BOMs, CAD, wiring, and test procedures tidy and versioncontrolled; write howtos.
• Safety & quality: Follow best practices for ESD, batteries, lab handling, and materials safety.

What youll bring

• 4+ years in hardware, prototyping, or product integration (startup, labs, skunkworks, consultancy, or field engineering).
• Comfort with fabrication & tools: 3D Printing, cutting equipment, soldering, crimping, harness building, DMM/oscilloscope, power supplies, thermal cameras, hand tools.
• Electrical fundamentals: Power electronics basics (MPPT, DCDC, BMS/charging, protection), lowvoltage analog/digital, communications, sensors.
• CAD & layout: SolidWorks/Fusion and KiCad/Altium for light PCB edits; can read schematics and update them.
• Prototyping mindset: You ship scrappy v1s fast, then harden to v2/v3; excellent at documenting and handing off.
• Communication: Clear written and verbal updates to customers and internal teams; comfort interfacing with nonengineers.
• Ability to lift ~30 lbs, stand for extended bench sessions, and travel 2030% for installs, tests, and events.
• BS or MS/PHD in EE/ME/Mechatronics (or equivalent experience).

Nicetohaves

• Energy harvesting background (solar/photovoltaics etc.), or battery systems (Liion charging, USBC PD).
• Experience designing and shipping edge devices (sensors, cameras, beacons), autonomous robotics (incl. drones) and/or mobile consumer/enterprise electronics (tablets, phones, audio).
• Data logging/telemetry pipelines (e.g., Python for quick plots; Grafana/Influx or similar).
• Vendor wrangling and quickturn fabrication.
• Equity package.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits coverage.
• Workspace setup stipend.
• Meal stipend.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Limitless growth opportunity as you join and help shape a generational company.
• Build frontier hardware that unlocks power where its never been available.
• Own endtoend builds and see your work in customer hands quickly.

This role requires 34 days per week inoffice in San Francisco and limited travel (less than 10%).

Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we are growing fast and hire opportunistically.

We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our employees is critical to our success as a company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Selection for employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.