Systems Engineering Lead

Liminal; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health benefits

401(k) with employer matching

Flexible working hours

Generous time-off

Parental leave

Job summary

Liminal Insights is seeking a technically exceptional engineering leader to own the architecture and execution of inspection systems that integrate electromechanical assemblies, ultrasonics, software, and machine learning. You will stay hands-on while guiding a multidisciplinary team toward robust, scalable solutions.

You will lead system-level tradeoffs, drive cross-functional reviews, mentor engineers, and partner with customers to translate requirements into reliable products that accelerate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience developing complex hardware-enabled systems.
• 3+ years of experience leading engineering teams or managing technical projects.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a systems engineer, technical lead, or engineering lead responsible for integrating multiple engineering disciplines into a complex product.
• Hands on experience with systems, mechanical, mechatronics and ultrasonic engineering
• Demonstrated ability to make system-level technical tradeoffs involving electromechanical, software, controls, manufacturing, and reliability.
• Experience developing complex electromechanical systems with tightly coupled hardware and software, industrial automation systems, capital equipment, metrology or inspection systems, medical devices with motion and sensing, scientific instrumentation.
• Proven track record of delivering products from concept through validation, deployment, and customer support.
• Strong technical problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively engage technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience leading engineering teams in environments characterized by rapid iteration, evolving and ambiguous product requirements, and limited resources.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary hardware engineering team spanning systems, mechanical, mechatronics, and ultrasonic engineering.
• Own the overall system architecture rive system-level requirements, interface definitions, verification strategies, and technical decision-making across disciplines.
• Exercise sound engineering judgement when making tradeoffs at all stages of technology development, from R&D to production
• Lead cross-functional technical reviews that span mechanics, electronics, software, controls, algorithms, and manufacturing.
• Lead root-cause investigations and resolution of complex technical issues encountered during development, manufacturing, and customer deployments.
• Work directly with customers, partners, and suppliers to synthesize requirements, evaluate potential solutions, and support strategic initiatives.
• Identify technical risks and drive mitigation strategies throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Develop pragmatic engineering processes and best practices that improve execution while maintaining startup agility.
• Communicate technical plans, project status, risks, and recommendations to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Mechanical engineering

Electrical/electronics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline

Advanced degree in Engineering, Physics, or related field

Tools

Ultrasonic engineering tools

Job description

About Liminal Insights

Liminal’s mission is to accelerate the clean energy transition by improving the cost, quality, and reliability of battery manufacturing. We do this by providing customers with better analytics and insights during production. Our breakthrough EchoStat® platform uses ultrasound and machine learning technology to supply customers with the information needed to accelerate production ramp-up, improve productivity and reliability, and detect critical defects early. Liminal has active product evaluations with major cell manufacturers and EV OEMs, and is poised to rapidly expand its product portfolio and installed base.

Our Culture and Values

• We are dedicated to building a world-class, world-positive company.
• We work closely on a foundation of mutual trust and informed decisions.
• Our core values are trust, empathy, and curiosity.
• We encourage personal growth, continuous learning, and safety.
• We believe the most innovative teams are inclusive of and celebrate all forms of diversity.

Role

We are looking for a technically exceptional engineering leader to own the architecture and execution of complex inspection systems that integrate precise electromechanical assemblies, motion control, ultrasonics, software, and machine learning.

This role is ideal for someone who has grown from a systems or multidisciplinary engineering background into engineering leadership. You enjoy solving difficult cross-functional technical problems, making system-level tradeoffs, and leading teams through ambiguity — not simply managing projects.

As an engineering leader in a startup, you will be expected to remain hands‑on in technical discussions while helping engineers grow and delivering products to customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary hardware engineering team spanning systems, mechanical, mechatronics, and ultrasonic engineering.
• Own the overall system architecture rive system-level requirements, interface definitions, verification strategies, and technical decision-making across disciplines.
• Exercise sound engineering judgement when making tradeoffs at all stages of technology development, from R&D to production
• Lead cross-functional technical reviews that span mechanics, electronics, software, controls, algorithms, and manufacturing.
• Lead root-cause investigations and resolution of complex technical issues encountered during development, manufacturing, and customer deployments.
• Work directly with customers, partners, and suppliers to synthesize requirements, evaluate potential solutions, and support strategic initiatives.
• Identify technical risks and drive mitigation strategies throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Develop pragmatic engineering processes and best practices that improve execution while maintaining startup agility.
• Communicate technical plans, project status, risks, and recommendations to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience developing complex hardware-enabled systems.
• 3+ years of experience leading engineering teams or managing technical projects.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a systems engineer, technical lead, or engineering lead responsible for integrating multiple engineering disciplines into a complex product.
• Hands on experience with systems, mechanical, mechatronics and ultrasonic engineering
• Demonstrated ability to make system-level technical tradeoffs involving electromechanical, software, controls, manufacturing, and reliability.
• Experience developing complex electromechanical systems with tightly coupled hardware and software, industrial automation systems, capital equipment, metrology or inspection systems, medical devices with motion and sensing, scientific instrumentation.
• Proven track record of delivering products from concept through validation, deployment, and customer support.
• Strong technical problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively engage technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience leading engineering teams in environments characterized by rapid iteration, evolving and ambiguous product requirements, and limited resources.

Nice to haves

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• Experience with ultrasound, sensing, imaging, inspection, or nondestructive evaluation technologies.
• Familiarity with product development processes including requirements definition, design reviews, risk management, verification, and validation.
• Experience supporting customer deployments and field issue resolution.
• Demonstrated success building engineering organizations and developing technical leaders.
• Knowledge of battery manufacturing, quality inspection systems, or advanced manufacturing technologies.

Benefits

• Annual salary of $140,000 to $210,000 plus stock options, based on skill level and experience, to help you and your family build a healthy and secure future.
• Group health benefits that provide support for employee well‑being and preventative care, including comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• A retirement program that helps build future financial security through both traditional and Roth 401(k) options with employer matching.
• Flexible working hours so you can be productive at the times that work best for you.
• Generous time‑off policy to allow you to renew and refresh through vacation, personal leave, and holidays.
• For new parents, 12 weeks of fully‑paid parental leave that you can take at any point during the first year.

Liminal is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate all forms of diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. However you identify or whatever your path here, please apply if this job excites you. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment.