Electrical Engineer – Tactile Sensors for Robotics

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

Job summary

Foundation Robotics Lab is seeking an Electrical Engineer to advance tactile/hand sensor technology and embedded electronics for advanced robots. The role emphasizesSensor integration, motor control, and compact, high-reliability systems.

You will work closely with firmware, hardware, and production teams in a hands-on, collaborative environment. Applicants should have strong experience in ECAD tools and RF/secure hardware design.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Sensor integration

Motor control

Embedded systems

Debugging skills

ECAD tools

Signal integrity

Firmware interaction

Wireless tech

Safety standards

Chip vendors

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

KiCad

Cadence

Job description

Foundation Robotics Lab is seeking an Electrical Engineer to advance tactile/hand sensor technology and embedded electronics for advanced robots. The role emphasizesSensor integration, motor control, and compact, high-reliability systems.

You will work closely with firmware, hardware, and production teams in a hands-on, collaborative environment. Applicants should have strong experience in ECAD tools and RF/secure hardware design.