About the Role

A fast-moving, venture-backed robotics startup in Austin, TX is looking for a hands-on Electrical Engineer to design and build the electrical backbone of next-generation ground robots. These platforms are engineered for the most demanding real-world conditions — hazardous environments, extreme temperatures, complex terrain — serving professionals in emergency response, industrial operations, and defense.

You'll be a core member of a small, high-caliber team (with roots at NASA, Lockheed Martin, and Southwest Research Institute), working across analog/digital circuits, power distribution, sensor integration, and harnessing to deliver field-ready systems. This is a deeply hands-on, full-ownership role with direct impact on product direction.

What You'll Do

Design analog and digital circuits including power regulation, signal conditioning, and sensor interfaces.
Own the full PCB development lifecycle: schematic capture, layout, and bring-up.
Define and maintain wiring diagrams, harnessing, grounding, and EMI/EMC strategies for robotic systems.
Design and fabricate cable harnesses and enclosures optimized for field reliability.
Support sensor selection and integration across thermal, gas, visual, RF, and related modalities.
Run and interpret tests for thermal load, EMI, and ruggedness of robotic electrical systems.
Run SPICE simulations for analog validation, noise analysis, and circuit stability.
Troubleshoot and debug system-level electrical issues across hardware, software, and mechanical interfaces.
Collaborate closely with mechanical and software engineers to ensure reliable system integration.
Contribute to design reviews and author documentation for key design decisions.
Help establish internal standards and test infrastructure for future product iterations.
Engage directly with end users as needed to shape engineering direction for specific features.

What We're Looking For

Required:

5+ years of hands-on electrical design experience for robotics or embedded systems (analog and digital circuits, power distribution, sensors).
Experience designing robot bus and wiring harness systems, including harness development and fabrication.
Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium, KiCad, or Eagle.
Sensor integration experience across multiple modalities (thermal, gas, visual, RF, etc.) on robotics platforms.
Demonstrated ability to perform SPICE simulations for analog validation, noise analysis, and circuit stability.
Hands-on experience with thermal, EMI, and vibration testing and debugging in robotics hardware.
Ability to define EMI/EMC strategies and maintain rigorous grounding and harnessing standards.
Strong cross-functional communication skills — comfortable working across hardware, software, and mechanical teams.

Nice to Have:

Background in aerospace, defense, or industrial robotics hardware.
Experience with UGV or unmanned systems development.
Familiarity with hazardous-environment (EX-rated) or high-temperature electrical design requirements.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $100,000 – $150,000 USD annually, depending on experience.
Visa sponsorship is available.
Opportunity for meaningful equity in an early-stage, venture-backed company.

Location

This is a fully on-site role based in Austin, TX. Candidates must be able to work in-person to support hands-on hardware development and lab work.

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