Senior Hardware Engineer, Robotics

Robust.ai•San Carlos, CA

5d•$160,000 - $200,000

About The Position

Robust AI is a fast-growing, early-stage robotics and AI startup founded in 2019. The Senior Electrical Engineer will join a small, fast-paced team designing and deploying warehouse robotic systems. The role owns schematic capture and PCB layout for custom boards, performs hands-on hardware debugging and bring-up on the current robot fleet, and contributes to the electrical design of the next-generation robot. The successful candidate is comfortable with ambiguity, rapid iteration, and shifting priorities in a startup environment. The engineer will collaborate with mechanical, firmware, and software colleagues to meet performance requirements and improve hardware/firmware interfaces. The role also includes creating design documentation, leading design reviews, supporting firmware integration, and working with fabrication houses and contract manufacturers to move boards from prototype to production.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or equivalent.
At least 5 years of experience in electrical or hardware engineering.
Strong electrical and embedded systems fundamentals.
Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout.
Track record of releasing boards to production, with designs that meet EMC compliance requirements.
Hands-on experience debugging complex electromechanical hardware using tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and DMMs.
Familiarity with communication protocols such as USB, I2C, SPI, UART, and RS485.
Comfort working in a fast-paced, early-stage startup environment and adapting to changing priorities.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to technical and cross-functional audiences.

Nice To Haves

Altium experience.
Firmware development in C.
Python scripting and comfort working in Linux environments.
Proficiency with microcontrollers, preferably the STM32 family.
Familiarity with BLDC motors and motor control.
Background in robotic or mechatronic systems.

Responsibilities

Design, prototype, and iterate custom robot PCBs, from schematic capture through board layout.
Bring up, debug, and test electrical hardware on the current robot fleet.
Collaborate on electrical architecture and inform next-generation robot design.
Generate design documentation and lead design reviews.
Perform bench modifications and rapid hardware prototyping to unblock development.
Work with mechanical, firmware, and software team members to meet and improve performance requirements while optimizing hardware/firmware interfaces.
Support firmware integration, testing, and debugging as needed.
Work with fabrication houses and contract manufacturers to take boards from prototype through production.