Founding Engineer

Role details

ABOUT THE ROLE This is a founding engineering role at a seed-stage hardtech startup building an AI-assisted PCB design and EDA automation platform. You'll own core tooling and manufacturing pipeline integrations from the ground up, working directly with the founding team to shape both the product and technical strategy. The work sits at the intersection of software craft and real-world electronics — it matters because the tools you build go straight into the hands of engineers shipping physical products. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Build and ship AI-assisted PCB design tools and EDA automation features used by real customers. - Integrate manufacturing pipelines and own the full hardware-to-production workflow. - Tackle full-stack problems across backend systems and user-facing tooling. - Collaborate closely with the founding team to define product direction and technical strategy. - Ship fast, iterate on user feedback, and clear whatever technical blockers emerge. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR - 3+ years shipping software products, with at least one physical or hardware product shipped to end users. - Hands-on PCB design experience — KiCad, schematic review, or comparable EDA tooling. - Proficiency in at least one systems or low-level language: C, C++, Rust, or Go. - Strong software engineering fundamentals — algorithms, data structures, and systems design. - Embedded systems or firmware development experience. - An active portfolio of side projects, open-source contributions, or personal hardware builds that demonstrates genuine craft obsession. - Comfort with startup-style ambiguity and the ability to wear many hats; prior startup or founder experience is a plus. - Familiarity with EDA tooling, manufacturing pipelines, hardware supply chain integration, or AI/ML applied to design automation is a bonus. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Salary: $120,000 – $150,000 USD annually. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role. LOCATION On-site in San Francisco, California, United States.