Founding Product Application Engineer

Empathy Talent; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Empathy Talent is seeking a Founding Product Application Engineer in San Francisco, CA, to lead end-to-end customer success for IoT and sensor products. You will enhance design, manage deployments, and play a pivotal role in product development.

The ideal candidate will have a strong electrical engineering background, 3+ years of relevant experience, and exemplary problem-solving skills in fast-paced environments. Join us to shape the future Applications/Solutions Engineering function and influence critical deployments.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in commissioning, deploying, or servicing monitoring systems.
• Strong background in electrical engineering fundamentals.
• Hands-on experience with diagnostic tools and systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead onsite deployments of monitoring systems.
• Manage pilot programs from installation to operational support.
• Provide field-driven feedback to influence product improvements.

Skills

Electrical engineering fundamentals

Troubleshooting skills

Customer communication

Ability to interpret technical diagrams

Education

B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or related discipline

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Diagnostic equipment

Job description

We’re seeking a Founding Product Application Engineer to own end-to-end customer success — from late-stage sales support through deployment and post-sale execution — while also contributing hands‑on to IoT and sensor product development.

This role sits at the intersection of product, applications engineering, and customer deployment, with direct influence over pilot success, product evolution, and commercialization strategy. The ideal candidate is highly technical, customer‑facing, and thrives in fast‑moving startup environments.

What You’ll Own

• Apply strong engineering fundamentals to improve the design, integration, scalability, and reliability of both hardware and software systems.
• Contribute to deployment workflows, usability enhancements, installation efficiency, and overall customer experience improvements.
• Provide field‑driven feedback that influences product architecture and future platform capabilities.

Pilot Deployment & Customer Success

• Lead onsite deployments of transformer and inverter monitoring systems.
• Manage pilot programs end‑to‑end, from installation through operational support.
• Deliver a high‑touch customer experience throughout onboarding, deployment, and post‑launch support.

Field Execution & Technical Problem Solving

• Troubleshoot hardware, firmware, networking, and installation challenges in live environments including utilities, renewable energy sites, substations, and data centers.
• Diagnose issues in noisy field conditions and proactively reduce deployment risk.

Customer‑Driven Product Improvement

• Translate field learnings and customer feedback into actionable improvements by partnering closely with hardware, firmware, AI, and product teams.
• Help prioritize enhancements that improve reliability, scalability, and deployment success.

Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Serve as the technical bridge between customers and internal engineering teams.
• Help establish best practices, operational processes, and the foundation for a future Applications Engineering organization.

What We’re Looking For

Core Technical Fundamentals

• Strong background in electrical engineering fundamentals, including power quality, harmonics, transient behavior, and insulation physics.
• Understanding of power systems including transformers, switchgear, inverters, and grid infrastructure.
• Ability to interpret one‑line diagrams, schematics, and wiring diagrams.

Field & Industry Experience

• 3+ years of experience commissioning, deploying, or servicing monitoring/diagnostic systems on medium- to high‑voltage assets in utility, OEM, or substation environments.
• Experience with transformer condition monitoring, including areas such as partial discharge, DGA, bushing diagnostics, and thermal monitoring.
• Familiarity with diagnostic equipment and standards such as Omicron, Doble, Megger, and related systems.
• Hands‑on experience performing electrical measurements and diagnostics using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, DAQs, and related tools.
• Experience troubleshooting signals and sensor systems in real‑world industrial environments.
• Background in product engineering or applications engineering within energy, utilities, industrial automation, or infrastructure environments.

What Makes Someone Successful Here

• Proactive and action‑oriented with a strong sense of ownership.
• Excellent communication skills with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity within a fast‑paced startup environment.
• Highly accountable with strong follow‑through and clear risk communication.
• Customer‑focused and motivated by solving real‑world operational challenges.
• Curious, growth‑minded, and adaptable.

Why This Opportunity

• Join at a critical stage where deployments directly influence revenue, customer expansion, and commercialization.
• Work closely with the founding team on both product strategy and field execution.
• Help shape the future Applications/Solutions Engineering function from the ground up.
• Contribute to next‑generation infrastructure technology solving real operational challenges across energy and industrial markets.

Education & Experience

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of relevant industry experience.