Senior Hardware Systems Engineer

Stem IT; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Healthcare options

Retirement matching

Yearly bonus opportunities

Equity/ownership potential

Job summary

Stem IT in Austin, TX, is seeking a Senior Hardware Systems Engineer to drive hardware and software integration from prototype through high-volume manufacturing in a hybrid environment.

The role covers PCB/PCBA design, embedded systems, robotics platforms, and test automation. Ideal candidates have strong C/C++ with embedded systems, plus experience moving products from NPI to production within a fast-paced startup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in EE/CE/CS or related field.
• 4+ years in hardware systems or robotics.
• Hands-on PCB/PCBA bring-up and debugging.
• Strong C/C++ with embedded systems.
• Experience taking products from NPI to production and testing.

Responsibilities

• Bridge hardware and software across projects from prototyping to high-volume manufacturing.
• Lead PCB/PCBA design, embedded systems, and integration.
• Develop manufacturing test automation and testers.
• Support robotics platforms and autonomous vehicle hardware integration.

Skills

C/C++ embedded

Embedded systems

Hardware systems

PCB/PCBA bring-up

Hardware debugging

System integration

Cross-functional collaboration

Manufacturing test automation

NPI to production

DFM/SPC/GR&R

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

Altium

Job description

Robotics startup building next-generation satellite resilient positioning technology for autonomous vehicles and UGVs in Austin, Texas (hybrid) is looking to add a Senior Hardware Systems Engineer to the team. The ideal engineer will sit at the intersection of hardware and software, helping drive products from early design and prototype bring-up through testing, validation, and high-volume manufacturing. This person will work across PCB/PCBA design, embedded systems, hardware/software integration, manufacturing test automation, and robotic vehicle platforms.

Preferred Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• 4+ years of experience in hardware systems, electrical engineering, embedded systems, robotics, or a related field
• Hands-on experience with PCB/PCBA bring-up, Altium, hardware debugging, and system integration
• Strong C/C++ experience with embedded systems, firmware, or microcontrollers
• Experience developing hardware test systems, manufacturing testers, or automated test stations
• Experience taking products from NPI through production/HVM
• Familiarity with DFM, SPC, yield analysis, and Gauge R&R (GR&R)
• Comfortable working cross-functionally and owning projects in a fast-paced startup environment

Nice to Have:

• Experience with robotics, UGVs, autonomous vehicles, or automotive systems
• Experience with ROS2, embedded Linux, CAN bus, or vehicle communications
• Experience integrating sensors, compute platforms, and embedded systems
• Experience designing ruggedized hardware/compute platforms
• Experience supporting defense, government, or other mission-critical applications
• Experience with Python data stack and AI/LLM-assisted engineering tools
• Early-stage startup experience

Package:

• Full-time Direct Hire with competitive benefits
• Multiple healthcare options
• Employee retirement matching plans
• Yearly bonus opportunities
• Significant ownership and growth opportunity within a rapidly scaling startup