Sr Robotics Engineer

Techounds•Irvine, CA

About The Position

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in embedded electronics, power systems, underwater hardware challenges, and a passion for precision engineering in mission-critical environments. Hardware Design & Development Design, prototype, and test electronic systems for professional underwater ROVs, including power electronics, motor controllers (ESCs), sensor interfaces, and communication systems Develop and maintain PCB schematics and layouts using industry-standard EDA tools (e.g., Altium or equivalent) Select and evaluate components for reliability, availability, and cost-effectiveness in marine/underwater environments Design and troubleshoot battery management systems (BMS), including charging, protection, and state-of-charge monitoring circuits Embedded Systems & Firmware Collaborate with software engineers to define hardware/firmware interfaces and ensure seamless system integration Develop and debug low-level firmware for microcontrollers and FPGAs used in ROV systems Implement and validate communication protocols including RS-232, RS-485, CAN bus, I2C, SPI, and Ethernet/tether communication Underwater & Marine Systems Design electronics for operation in pressure-rated, waterproof enclosures rated to depths exceeding 1000 meters Work with acoustic systems, including acoustic beacons, modems, and USBL positioning systems Ensure compliance with EMI/EMC requirements and underwater safety standards Testing, Validation & Documentation Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, including environmental, pressure, and operational testing Investigate and resolve field failures, ESC anomalies, sensor faults, and integration issues through systematic root cause analysis Create and maintain thorough engineering documentation including schematics, BOMs, assembly drawings, and test reports Support production team with manufacturing documentation and quality review processes Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with mechanical engineers, software developers, and production staff to deliver fully integrated ROV systems Support sales and customer service with technical documentation, product demonstrations, and field issue resolution Contribute to product roadmap discussions and new product development initiatives

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or a closely related field
Minimum 5 years of professional experience in electronics design and development
Proven experience with power electronics design, including motor drive circuits, ESCs, and DC power management
Proficiency in PCB design using Altium Designer, KiCad, or equivalent EDA software
Hands-on experience with embedded microcontrollers (ARM Cortex, AVR, PIC, or similar)
Strong understanding of analog circuit design, signal conditioning, and sensor interfacing
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex electronic systems using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other lab instrumentation
Experience with technical documentation: schematics, BOMs, engineering change orders, and test procedures
Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to explain technical concepts clearly

Nice To Haves

Experience with underwater marine electronics systems or similar.
Knowledge of Linux and embedded programming is a plus.
Familiarity with acoustic systems: underwater acoustic beacons, transponders, modems, or USBL/LBL positioning systems a plus.
Knowledge of brushless motor drive systems and ESC tuning for underwater thrusters
Experience with tether communication systems (fiber optic, twisted pair, or coax) for ROV applications
Experience with waterproofing, conformal coating, and potting techniques for marine-grade electronics
Knowledge of relevant standards: MIL-SPEC, IPC, or IEC marine electronics standards

Responsibilities

Design, prototype, and test electronic systems for professional underwater ROVs, including power electronics, motor controllers (ESCs), sensor interfaces, and communication systems
Develop and maintain PCB schematics and layouts using industry-standard EDA tools (e.g., Altium or equivalent)
Select and evaluate components for reliability, availability, and cost-effectiveness in marine/underwater environments
Design and troubleshoot battery management systems (BMS), including charging, protection, and state-of-charge monitoring circuits
Collaborate with software engineers to define hardware/firmware interfaces and ensure seamless system integration
Develop and debug low-level firmware for microcontrollers and FPGAs used in ROV systems
Implement and validate communication protocols including RS-232, RS-485, CAN bus, I2C, SPI, and Ethernet/tether communication
Design electronics for operation in pressure-rated, waterproof enclosures rated to depths exceeding 1000 meters
Work with acoustic systems, including acoustic beacons, modems, and USBL positioning systems
Ensure compliance with EMI/EMC requirements and underwater safety standards
Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, including environmental, pressure, and operational testing
Investigate and resolve field failures, ESC anomalies, sensor faults, and integration issues through systematic root cause analysis
Create and maintain thorough engineering documentation including schematics, BOMs, assembly drawings, and test reports
Support production team with manufacturing documentation and quality review processes
Work closely with mechanical engineers, software developers, and production staff to deliver fully integrated ROV systems
Support sales and customer service with technical documentation, product demonstrations, and field issue resolution
Contribute to product roadmap discussions and new product development initiatives