Senior Hardware Systems Engineer

Engtal; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Year-end bonus

Medical, health and dental plans

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Engtal in Austin, TX is seeking a Hardware Systems Engineer who operates between hardware and software, from PCB design to lab bring-up and scaling tests for high-volume production. You will write code, wire fixtures, and ensure each unit ships as intended.

As the day-to-day liaison to the contract manufacturer, you will manage build readiness, transfer test procedures, perform first-article inspections, and address yield and quality issues while qualifying second sources for parts and driving

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering or CS; hardware experience required.
• 5–10 years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience with hardware, firmware, and software.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers through NPI and production.
• Hands-on EMC/FCC pre-compliance testing and design-for-compliance fixes.

Responsibilities

• Support new product design and bring-up, including power-on, debug, and validation of prototype hardware.
• Help define and execute product test plans across engineering, pilot, and production builds.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing testers (functional, end-of-line, and in-line).
• Write test software and automation, and integrate instruments, fixtures, and DUTs.
• Perform system integration and debug across the full HW/SW stack.
• Plan FCC pre-compliance testing and drive fixes before formal certification.
• Maintain test code and documentation in GitHub.
• Use AI-assisted tooling to move faster.

Skills

C/C++

English fluency

Problem solving

Startup mindset

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering or CS

Tools

Altium

VS Code

GitHub

Oscilloscope

Spectrum analyzer

LISN

Job description

Hardware Systems Engineer - (Electrical Engineer with software/CS skills - or CS Engineer with hardware chops)

Location:

Austin, TX

Level:

Mid to Senior (5-10 years)

Salary Range:

$150-200k + year-end bonus, medical, health and dental plans, and unlimited PTO

About the Company

We are a rapidly growing startup founded by former special operators and AI experts to build next-generation positioning technology. We build an offline, GPS-free positioning system that leverages existing vehicle sensor data, maps, and a proprietary AI engine to deliver precise location tracking without relying on GPS or cellular networks. Our technology has been driven thousands of miles with zero signal and validated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. They serve the U.S. government, military, automotive manufacturers, logistics and delivery providers, and emergency services.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Systems Engineer who lives comfortably between hardware and software. You will play a hands-on role across the full product lifecycle, from early product design (PCB level and up) to lab bring-up, product testing, validation, and scaling manufacturing tests for high-volume production. You will write code, design boards, wire up fixtures, debug hardware, and ensure every unit shipped works as intended.

Additionally, you will serve as the day-to-day technical liaison to the client's contract manufacturer. This includes managing build readiness, transferring test procedures and fixtures, conducting first-article inspections, addressing yield and quality issues, and qualifying second sources for critical parts like cables and enclosures. You will also own FCC pre-compliance, running pre-scans for radiated and conducted emissions, fixing problems at the board, enclosure, and harness level, and preparing the product for formal certification at an accredited lab.

Key Responsibilities

• Support new product design and bring-up, including power-on, debug, and validation of prototype hardware.
• Help define and execute product test plans across engineering, pilot, and production builds.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing testers (functional, end-of-line, and in-line).
• Write test software and automation, and integrate instruments, fixtures, and DUTs.
• Perform system integration and debug across the full HW/SW stack.
• Run Gauge R&R studies and apply statistical methods to qualify test stations.
• Partner with HW, FW, and operations teams to root-cause issues and drive yield improvements.
• Act as the technical liaison to the contract manufacturer for build readiness, test transfer, first-article inspection, corrective actions, and second sourcing.
• Plan and run FCC (Part 15) pre-compliance testing for emissions and immunity, and drive design fixes ahead of formal certification.
• Maintain test code and documentation in GitHub.
• Use modern AI-assisted tooling (LLMs) to move faster.

Required Qualifications

• Education: BS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science (either an EE who codes or a CS engineer with hardware experience).
• Experience:
• 5-10 years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience with hardware, firmware, and software.
• Exposure to system integration and test.
• Familiarity with Gauge R&R (GR&R) and manufacturing concepts.
• Experience working directly with a contract manufacturer (CM/EMS) through NPI and production.
• Hands-on EMC/FCC pre-compliance testing (near-field probes, spectrum analyzer, LISN) and design-for-compliance fixes.
• Technical Skills:
• Familiarity with Altium schematic capture and board layout.
• Comfortable in VS Code or Antigravity, and Git/GitHub.
• Working knowledge of LLMs and AI coding assistants.
• C/C++.
• Hands-on experience with instruments, oscilloscopes, and power supplies.
• SPC and yield analysis.
• Soft Skills:
• Entrepreneurial, proactive problem-solving mindset.
• Thrives in a fast-paced startup environment where rapid iteration and bold ideas are the norm.
• Strong collaborative, cross-functional team orientation.
• Excellent communication abilities; English fluency is essential.
• Additional Requirements:
• US citizenship is strongly preferred due to government contracts, though green card holders will also be considered.