Sr Electrical Engineer

Vatn Systems; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Vatn Systems, a startup building autonomous underwater vehicles, seeks a Senior Electrical/Computer Engineer to lead electronic system design and PCB layout for our AUV platform.

You will own schematic capture, component selection, wiring harness design, and testing plans; mentor junior engineers and drive architecture decisions to improve performance, reliability, and manufacturability of our underwater systems.

Join a fast-paced team and influence hardware from concept to production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.
• 7+ years of electrical or computer engineering experience with PCB design focus.
• Proficient with PCB design tools (Altium Designer) and PCB fabrication/assembly knowledge.
• Strong analog/digital circuit design and power electronics; SPICE experience.
• Analytical problem solver with ability to work under deadlines.
• Excellent teamwork and communication; capable of mentoring.
• Experience in Marine/Robotics startup environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead electronic system design and architecture for current and future products.
• Perform schematic capture and PCB layout with focus on signal integrity and manufacturability.
• Select components and power management devices meeting performance and environmental requirements.
• Develop wiring diagrams and harness designs.
• Design and execute testing plans for electrical systems, firmware, and PCBs.
• Create detailed documentation and interface control documents.
• Collaborate with software, mechanical, and project teams; communicate clearly.
• Stay updated with tools and technologies; drive cost reduction and manufacturability.
• Handoff Engineering to Manufacturing for scalable production.
• Provide mentorship and review designs for junior engineers.

Skills

Electrical design

PCB design

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Startup adaptability

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

SPICE

Job description

About Vatn Systems

Vatn Systems is an innovative startup at the forefront of designing and manufacturing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Our mission is to revolutionize underwater security, exploration, research, and operations through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled engineering. Our AUVs are defining the next generation of underwater autonomy.

Summary

We are seeking a talented and highly motivated Senior Electrical Engineer / Senior Computer Engineer to take on a leadership role in the electronic system design & analysis, schematic capture, and PCB layout within our fast-paced and innovative AUV startup.

As a senior member of our engineering team, you will own the design, development, analysis, and optimization of electrical systems and PCBs for our cutting-edge AUV technology, while mentoring junior engineers and driving key architecture decisions that shape our undersea superiority.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and implementation of all things electronic on our present and future products, driving architecture decisions in collaboration with the Electrical Engineering team and all other engineering departments
• Complete schematic capture and layout of high-quality, complex PCBs, considering signal integrity, power distribution, thermal management, and manufacturability
• Research, evaluate, and select electronic components, including microcontrollers, sensors, connectors, and power management devices, ensuring they meet performance, reliability, and environmental requirements
• Develop wiring diagrams and harness designs for in-house and external fabrication
• Design and execute rigorous testing plans to validate the functionality, performance, and reliability of the electrical systems, firmware, and PCBs internally developed and externally procured. Identify and resolve any issues or anomalies that arise during testing.
• Create & maintain detailed documentation, including specifications, interface control documents, test procedures, and manuals
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, mechanical engineers, and project managers, to ensure successful project execution. Communicate technical concepts and ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in relevant tools, technologies, and practices. Identify opportunities to enhance system performance, reduce cost, reduce complexity, and increase manufacturability
• Responsible for a successful Engineering to Manufacturing handoff when transitioning R&D efforts into manufacturable product
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level engineers, reviewing designs and supporting their growth

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
• 7+ years of experience in electrical or computer engineering roles, with a focus on electrical system design & PCBs; experience in the Marine Industry and/or Robotics Industry highly desirable
• Strong proficiency with PCB design tools (Altium Designer) and deep familiarity with PCB fabrication/assembly processes
• Strong understanding of analog and digital circuit design as well as AC / DC power electronics. Experience with simulation tools such as SPICE
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Strong teamwork and communication skills to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment and engage with external partners and suppliers
• Comfortable working in a dynamic startup environment with changing priorities. Self-motivated with a passion for innovation and learning.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers, lead technical discussions, and drive design decisions independently

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a startup or fast-paced product development environment
• Experience with embedded firmware development (C/C++) on platforms such as Microchip dsPIC and STM STM32, and digital communication protocols (UART, SPI, I2C, CANbus, Ethernet, etc.)
• Experience with energy storage systems (such as Lithium-Ion Battery Packs) and both low & high voltage DC systems (12V to 800VDC)

Vatn is an equal opportunity employer.