Principal Hardware Engineer

Arable; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a Principal Hardware Engineer to lead the development of cutting-edge agricultural technology solutions. In this pivotal role, you'll manage the entire product lifecycle, from concept through production, ensuring the highest quality standards while collaborating with diverse teams. Your expertise will help shape the future of sensing platforms that optimize food production and sustainability. Join a passionate team dedicated to making a positive impact on global food systems and enjoy a rewarding work environment that values collaboration and innovation.

Benefits

Excellent medical, dental, vision, and 401k

Flexible PTO

Focus on community involvement

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hardware engineering experience with full PCB design lifecycle.
• Proficiency with schematic capture, PCB layout, and lab equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware engineering from concept to production.
• Manage domestic and offshore manufacturing operations.
• Oversee ODM designs to meet quality standards.

Skills

Hardware Engineering

PCB Design

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Advanced technical degree

Tools

Schematic Capture

PCB Layout

Lab Equipment

Regulatory Testing Knowledge

Job description

Come work alongside some of the most talented minds in the agtech industry. We are a team of innovators who are accelerating the digitization and sustainability of our planet’s food system. At Arable, you will have the unique opportunity to build something meaningful with an amazing group of people who care about each other and their work.

What we do:

At Arable, our goal is to connect all the world’s farms to help optimize the global food system. This is an ambitious goal, but the need has never been greater to rethink how we will feed an ever-growing population and reduce our impact on natural resources. We believe the heart of the solution is digitizing the analog world with high-fidelity data to help food producers optimize their operations. We hope the impact of our work will improve the lives of farmers everywhere and be a major contribution to securing the global food supply for decades to come.

A few examples of the work we’re doing today:

1. Helping farmers in India and Mozambique adapt to the effects of climate change on their farms with novel data-driven crop insurance
2. Giving produce growers in California the tools to optimize production and minimize waste
3. Helping irrigated farms in Nebraska manage water more efficiently and sustainably to protect our water supply

As Principal Hardware Engineer, you'll spearhead the development of our hardware ecosystem, including the Arable Mark 3. This pivotal leadership position shapes the future of our sensing platforms while ensuring exceptional agricultural technology solutions worldwide.

What you will do:

• Lead hardware engineering throughout product lifecycle from concept to production
• Manage domestic and offshore manufacturing operations
• Oversee and validate ODM designs to meet Arable's quality standards
• Develop technical documentation for designs, testing, and support
• Lead prototyping efforts for new hardware products and features
• Participate in product validation and testing with QA teams
• Collaborate with product management, software, operations, and customer success
• Manage key vendor relationships and component selection
• Coordinate bug tracking and resolution for hardware issues
• Support manufacturing test fixtures and processes

Required experience and skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
• 6+ years of hardware engineering experience with full PCB design lifecycle
• Proficiency with schematic capture, PCB layout, and board bring-up, and lab equipment
• Knowledge of regulatory testing (FCC, CE) and NPI processes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Self-starter who works well in fast-paced environments
• Excellent communication and organizational skills

Preferred experience and skills:

• Advanced technical degree and 8+ years bringing multiple hardware products to mass production
• Experience managing or collaborating with offshore teams
• Knowledge of C programming for embedded systems
• Wireless product design (WiFi, BLE, cellular) and/or RTOS experience
• Background in agricultural or environmental sensor technology

Qualities for Success:

• Passion for Sustainability: Care deeply about global food systems and environmental impact
• Startup Mindset: Thrive in fast-paced environments with multiple responsibilities
• Technical Leadership: Ownership of projects and influence on technology roadmap
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Effective communication across different teams
• Resourcefulness: Design cost-effective solutions and troubleshoot in field
• Adaptability: Stay current with emerging technologies and navigate new challenges

What we offer:

At Arable, you will be joining a company of dedicated team players who bring together diverse expertise and a passion for building a more sustainable future. We are a fast-moving startup committed to providing a rewarding employee experience through the work we do, the team, compensation, and benefits, including:

• Excellent medical, dental, vision, and a 401k program
• Flexible PTO
• A focus on community involvement and career development
• Being a part of creating innovative new products that have a positive impact on the world

At Arable, we don't just accept difference—we celebrate and support it. Not only because it's the right thing to do but because we draw on the differences in who we are, what we've experienced, and how we think to make Arable thrive. Arable is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace and is an affirmative-action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.

Seniority level: Not Applicable

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Engineering and Information Technology

Industries: Farming