Founding Hardware and Embedded Engineer

Scion Staffing has been engaged to conduct a search for a Founding Hardware & Embedded Engineer for our partner, an early-stage technology company developing advanced industrial sensing solutions for demanding real-world environments. This is a direct-hire, onsite position in San Francisco, California.

The Founding Hardware & Embedded Engineer will help build, test, and improve rugged sensing hardware designed for deployment in maritime environments. Initially, this individual will assemble and prepare an existing sensor fleet for customer pilots before taking ownership of new sensor development across electronics, firmware, and physical integration. This is an excellent opportunity for an emerging engineer with significant hands‑on project experience to influence product direction and grow into a senior product leadership position.

• Competitive base salary of up to $150k/yr.
• Potential equity participation (1-1.5%) and a meaningful opportunity to grow into product leadership.
• Direct influence over the development of innovative sensing and autonomous hardware.
• Hands‑on startup environment offering significant ownership, learning, and career growth.

• Assemble, wire, solder, test, and prepare existing sensor systems for deployment in paid customer pilots.
• Own the hardware development lifecycle, including schematic capture, PCB design, component selection, assembly, and bench testing.
• Integrate accelerometers, thermal cameras, IMUs, and other sensors with microcontrollers and embedded platforms.
• Develop and update firmware for platforms such as ESP
  32 and Raspberry Pi.
• Troubleshoot field issues and improve hardware based on performance data and operator feedback.
• Develop new sensing systems and contribute to future autonomous maritime vehicle prototypes and overall product direction.

• At least two years of hands‑on hardware development experience gained through personal projects, freelance work, internships, research, or professional employment.
• Bachelor’s degree completed or in progress in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.
• Demonstrated experience designing schematics and PCBs and taking personally owned projects from concept through working hardware.
• Experience with embedded systems, microcontrollers, firmware development, and sensor integration.
• Practical ability to assemble, wire, solder, troubleshoot, and bench-test electronic devices.
• Knowledge of power regulation, connectors, component selection, and enclosure integration.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status is required due to eligibility requirements connected with government and defense‑related work; experience with industrial IoT, robotics, marine, automotive, or rugged hardware is a plus.

This direct-hire opportunity offers an anticipated base salary up to $150k/yr (DOE) plus equity (1-1.5%).