Founding Engineer
About the Role
This is a founding engineering role at a early-stage hardware-meets-software startup building AI-assisted PCB design tooling and EDA automation. You'll own core product development from day one - shaping both technical strategy and product direction alongside the founding team. If you love electronics and want your code to directly influence how circuit boards go from idea to production, this role is built for you.
What You'll Do
Build and ship AI-assisted PCB design tools and EDA automation features used by real customers.
Integrate manufacturing pipelines and manage the full hardware-to-production workflow.
Own full-stack problems across the platform, from backend systems to user-facing tooling.
Collaborate closely with the founding team to define product direction and technical strategy.
Ship fast, iterate based on user feedback, and clear blockers as they arise.
What We're Looking For
3+ years shipping software products, with at least one physical or hardware product shipped to end users.
Hands-on experience with PCB design, schematic review, KiCad, or electronics hardware work.
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.
A demonstrable obsession with craft: active side projects, open-source contributions, or personal hardware builds.
Experience building or shipping embedded systems or firmware.
Comfort with ambiguity and the pace of an early-stage startup; prior founder or startup experience is a plus.
Familiarity with EDA tools, manufacturing pipelines, or hardware supply chain is a bonus.
Experience integrating AI or machine learning into tooling or design automation is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary: $120,000 - $200,000 USD annually. Equity is available as part of the founding team package. Visa sponsorship is not available at this time.
Location
On-site in San Francisco, California, United States.