Hardware Systems Engineer

NextSense, Inc; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Travel for sync-ups

Impactful product work

Job summary

NextSense, Inc. in Mountain View, CA, is seeking a hardware systems engineer to own the EEG earbud as a complete system. You will manage hardware integration, validation plans, and production health while acting as the primary interface to our China-based ODM.

Expect cross-domain debugging, on-site builds, and regular travel to China to coordinate with suppliers. The role requires 5+ years in hardware engineering for consumer electronics, strong root-cause skills, and Mandarin proficiency for

Qualifications

• 5+ years in hardware systems engineering for consumer electronics.
• Strong root-cause analysis across electrical, mechanical and RF domains.
• Experience coordinating with ODMs/CMs in China and travel ~25%.
• Proven ability to own schedules, deliverables and test programs.

Responsibilities

• Own EEG earbud as a system: hardware integration, validation and production health.
• Lead cross-domain debugging across mechanical, acoustics, battery, Bluetooth and EEG chain.
• Define and review EVT/DVT/PVT test plans with ODM; drive corrective actions.
• Support on-site builds and monitor yields, test data, and field returns.
• Manage program schedule, BOM/PO, vendor payments, risk flags, and weekly updates.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, and multi-geo teams; travel to China regularly.

Skills

Hardware systems

Root-cause analysis

Program management

Cross-functional collaboration

China ODM coordination

Communication skills

Job description

About NextSense

At NextSense (https://nextsense.io/), our mission is to restore energy, joy, and purpose to daily life through clinically validated brain-sensing technology. Based in Mountain View, CA, our multi-modal smart earbud platform is designed to enhance sleep at night and boost energy throughout the day. Join us in shaping the future of wearable EEG and machine learning-driven insights.

Your Role

• We are a close-knit team of experts in hardware, software, algorithms, and neuroscience.
• Your mission is to own our EEG earbud as a system (hardware integration, design validation, and production health) and to be our primary technical interface to our ODM partner in China.
• You will lead cross-domain debugging and root cause across the full device: mechanical fit and enclosures, acoustics, battery and charging, Bluetooth/RF, and the EEG sensing chain (electrodes, coatings, analog front end).
• You will own design validation: define and review EVT/DVT/PVT test plans with the ODM, judge results, and drive open issues and corrective actions to closure.
• You will support builds on-site at the factory and monitor production health (yields, test-station data, and field returns), translating factory and field data into engineering action.
• You will run the program: master schedule, deliverables and open-issue tracking, BOM/PO and vendor payment status, risk flagging, and crisp weekly updates to leadership.
• Reporting to the VP of Engineering, you will collaborate with engineers, scientists, and multi-geo teams across US and Asia time zones.
• Experience: 5+ years in hardware systems, electrical, or hardware integration engineering for consumer electronics; you have taken at least one product through EVT/DVT/PVT into mass production.
• Mandarin: Professional fluency (spoken; written strongly preferred), required for daily communication with our China-based ODM and suppliers.
• China experience: Direct, hands-on experience working with Chinese ODMs/CMs, and willingness to travel to China regularly (~25%, including multi-week on-site stays during builds).
• Systems debugging: Strong root-cause skills across electrical, mechanical, and RF domains. Comfortable with schematics, mechanical drawings, bench instrumentation, and structured failure analysis.
• Program management: Highly organized; proven ability to own schedules, track deliverables across vendors and internal teams, and turn test and factory data into actionable reports and decisions.
• Collaboration: Excellent communication skills and experience working with cross-functional, distributed teams.
• Startup Mindset: Adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; comfortable wearing multiple hats.
• At this time, we're only able to consider applicants who are legally authorized to work in the United States.

Desired: Familiarity with any of the following

• TWS earbuds / hearables subsystems: acoustics, antenna and Bluetooth RF (SoC platforms e.g., Airoha, BES, Qualcomm), battery and charging, small enclosures
• Biosignal hardware: EEG/PPG analog front ends, dry electrodes, coatings and surface treatments, impedance measurement
• Reliability testing and returns/RMA failure analysis
• Manufacturing test: test station and fixture design, yield analysis

Company Culture and Values

At NextSense, we value hard work but also believe in enjoying the journey. Our fast-paced environment is balanced with a fun, collaborative atmosphere that fosters innovation and creativity. We are hands-on, often wearing multiple hats to drive our mission forward. There is ample room for professional growth, with opportunities to learn, take on new challenges, and make a significant impact. Our culture proceeds from our core values: Conviction, Connection, Curiosity, Compassion, Candor, and Co-Founder Mentality.

Benefits and Perks

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision
• Collaborative Work Environment: Supportive, cross-functional teams with opportunities to travel for sync-ups
• Make a Real Impact: Work on a mission-driven product that restores joy, energy, and purpose