Founding Hardware Engineer

• Designing and building the hardware device in-house PCB design, embedded firmware, component selection, and supplier management to replace current off-the-shelf integrations
• Writing embedded firmware so device components communicate seamlessly (Bluetooth, Starlink, audio capture) and streaming high-fidelity telemetry and audio data to the cloud
• Owning the full hardware vertical: sourcing suppliers, managing contractors, making architecture and material decisions, and shipping units to flight schools at scale
• Collaborating cross-functionally with the CTO and software/ML engineers to ensure the device captures exactly what the intelligence layer needs for automated flight debriefs
• Shaping the long-term hardware strategy and eventually hiring and leading a hardware team as the company grows toward Series A

We are looking for a Founding Hardware Engineer with 7+ years of experience to own and build client next-generation cockpit device in-house from PCB design through embedded firmware to fleet deployment. You'll be the first dedicated hardware hire at a seed-stage company already deployed at 10+ leading US flight schools and the US Air Force, building the sensor device that captures everything a pilot sees and hears. This role grows into hardware leadership as the company scales, so we need someone who can ship today and build a team tomorrow. If you're a hands-on tinkerer who has taken a sensor/IoT product from zero to production and thrives in high-autonomy, high-velocity environments, this is your role., 5 - 10 years of experience in embedded systems/firmware engineering, shipping physical hardware products

Work experience

Has shipped a sensor/IoT hardware product end-to-end (not just prototyped)

Experience at a startup or 0-to-1 environment

Background in aviation, space, or defense hardware (e.g. SpaceX, Skydio, avionics companies)

Embedded C/C++, Python, PCB Design, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Cellular, RTOS, Embedded Linux, Starlink, Cursor, Claude Code, AI-assisted development tools

Education

BS/MS in EE, CE, or related field from accredited university

Degree from top engineering school (e.g. MIT, Stanford)

Hard skills

PCB design and embedded firmware (C/C++) hands-on expertise

Wireless comms experience (Bluetooth, cellular, Wi-Fi)

Actively uses AI tools (Cursor, Claude Code) in workflow

Soft skills

Demonstrates entrepreneurial ownership sources suppliers, debates architecture, ships without being told