Founding Hardware Engineer

San Francisco, CA, United States

$70,000 to $100,000 USD / year

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Job details

Pay: $70,000 to $100,000 USD / year
Experience: Typically 2 to 7 years of hardware engineering experience, including hands-on individual-contributor work.
Posting language: English
Posted: Nov 4, 2026

Original job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

Join an early-stage consumer AI hardware team as its Founding Hardware Engineer. You will own the device hardware from the next board revision through manufacturing, helping build a compact wearable designed for private interaction with computers.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Improve PCB layout and optimize power, RF performance, size, reliability, and cost.
Move prototype hardware toward production by addressing design for manufacture, testing, suppliers, and assembly.
Identify and resolve issues during hardware bring-up, real-world testing, and manufacturing.
Make hardware decisions and maintain quality across shipped units.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Typically 2 to 7 years of hardware engineering experience, including hands-on individual-contributor work.
Personal experience designing PCBs that shipped in a real product.
Prototype-to-production experience, or strong early-career fundamentals and demonstrated ability to work quickly with AI tools.
Ability to take ownership across layout, power, RF, testing, suppliers, and assembly.
Experience with compact wearables, IoT devices, or consumer electronics is particularly relevant.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Base salary: $70,000 to $100,000 USD annually. Visa sponsorship is available.

LOCATION

On-site in San Francisco, United States. Candidates willing to relocate are welcome.