Electrical Engineer, Tactile/Hand Sensor

Foundation; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health, vision, dental, 401k

Job summary

Foundation is building the next generation of general purpose robotics to address labor shortages. We seek highly technical engineers and scientists who can design reliable hardware and contribute to a culture of excellence in San Francisco.

Your work will span sensors, embedded systems, and motor control, collaborating with silicon partners and firmware teams. We value hands-on problem solving, practical design instincts, and a drive to deliver products that work in the real world.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in embedded systems design and debugging in compact, high-reliability hardware.
• Experience integrating sensors (IMUs, tactile, encoders) and power electronics.
• Familiarity with signal integrity, thermal management and EMI/EMC considerations.

Responsibilities

• Develop new custom force and tactile sensors for robotics with aggressive size and reliability targets.
• Design and evaluate embedded systems and mixed-signal circuits (MCUs, FPGAs, sensors, power, comms).
• Collaborate with silicon partners to evaluate/implement cutting-edge chips (encoders, IMUs, tactile sensors).
• Board bring-up, validation, and debugging using lab instruments and test infrastructure.
• Mentor junior engineers and review schematic/layout for performance and reliability.
• Drive DFM, DFT, and EMC improvements across designs.
• Coordinate with firmware/software to define board APIs and hardware abstraction.
• Support transition from prototypes to production with contract manufacturers and testers.
• Stay current with embedded electronics, robotics sensing, and motor control tech.

Skills

Sensor integration

Embedded systems

Motor control

Power electronics

Embedded C/C++

ECAD tools

Signal integrity

EMC testing

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

KiCad

Cadence

JTAG

Job description

Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the goal to address the labor shortage.

Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries.

We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite - it's your talent and determination that truly count.

We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.

Our Culture:

We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here https://foundation.bot/culture.

Who should join:

• You like working in person with a team in San Francisco.
• You deeply believe that this is the most important mission for humanity and needs to happen yesterday.
• You are highly technical - regardless of the role you are in. We are building technology; you need to understand technology well.
• You care about aesthetics and design inside out. If it's not the best product ever, it bothers you, and you need to "fix" it.
• You don't need someone to motivate you; you get things done.

Why We Are Hiring for This Role:

• Develop new custom force and tactile sensors for robotics with aggressive size and reliability requirements.
• Design and evaluate embedded systems and mixed-signal circuits (MCUs, FPGAs, sensors, power, communications).
• Collaborate with silicon partners to evaluate and integrate cutting-edge chips (e.g. encoders, IMUs, tactile sensors).
• Perform board bring-up, validation, and debugging using lab instruments and test infrastructure.
• Guide junior engineers and review schematic/layout work to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance.
• Drive continuous improvements in design for manufacturability (DFM), testability (DFT), and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
• Interface with firmware/software engineers to define board-level APIs and support hardware abstraction.
• Support the transition from prototypes to production, working with contract manufacturers and test engineers.
• Stay up to date with emerging technologies in embedded electronics, robotic sensing, and motor control.

What Kind of Person We Are Looking For:

• Experience with sensor integration (IMUs, force/tactile, encoders), motor control (BLDC, brushed, stepper), and power electronics.
• Proven track record designing embedded systems (MCUs, DSPs, or FPGAs) in compact, high-reliability systems.
• Strong debugging skills with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG tools.
• Proficiency in ECAD tools such as Altium Designer, KiCad, or Cadence.
• Solid understanding of signal integrity, thermal management, and power distribution for compact electronics.
• Familiarity with firmware interactions and embedded C/C++ is a plus.
• Experience working on robotics, prosthetics, or haptics-related hardware.
• Knowledge of silicon evaluation and working with early-stage chip vendors.
• Experience with wireless communication (BLE, Wi-Fi, etc.) and secure hardware design.
• Exposure to safety standards (IEC, ISO) and EMI/EMC compliance testing.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering or a related field.

Benefits

• We provide market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k, etc.) and equity. Join us for the culture and the mission, not for the benefits.

Salary

• The annual compensation is expected to be between $180,000 - $300,000. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.