Principal Electrical Engineer (Hardware Design)
About the role
The Principal Electrical Engineer (Hardware Design) at Freeform plays a critical role in the design and development of custom electronics and compute systems that enable complex autonomous systems to perform reliably, repeatedly, and at scale. This position requires a strong background in electrical engineering, with experience in fields such as high-performance compute, high speed communications, embedded hardware, motion control, autonomous robotic systems, and more. The ideal candidate is capable of leading projects from concept to implementation, driving technical direction, and ensuring continuous innovation.
Responsibilities
- Rapidly design, develop and test highly reliable electronics and compute systems that enable complex autonomous systems to perform reliability, repeatedly, and scalable
- Serve as the senior engineer on the team, driving technical direction, electrical architecture, product requirements, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, prototyping, bring-up, debugging, documentation, productization, manufacturing, and testing
- Challenge assumptions and learn new design approaches
- Drive component selection, analysis, schematic capture, prototyping, bring-up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, and test
- Act as a technical lead, driving schedule and ensuring a continuous rate of innovation
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or similar engineering discipline
- 15+ years of professional experience designing and delivering complex electrical hardware
- Broad electrical engineering background; well versed in electrical engineering fundamentals and comfortable taking a first-principles approach to solving problems
- Experience operating as a technical lead and system owner, responsible for architectural decisions, execution quality, and technical accountability across the full lifecycle
Qualifications
- Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in electrical engineering preferred
- Experience with heterogeneous compute environments, including FPGA, GPU, and mixed architecture systems, with the ability to make thoughtful tradeoffs across performance, latency, and system complexity
- Experience with sensors, high speed cameras/imaging systems, and similar physical telemetry systems
- Experience with embedded microcontroller design and firmware
- Experience with high-speed data acquisition systems, high-accuracy motion systems, high-speed scanning systems, optomechanical assemblies, and complex electromechanical systems
- Familiarity with industrial automation technologies and robotics
Skills
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Ability to work effectively with other engineering disciplines
- Proficiency in electrical engineering tools and techniques
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
Benefits
- Significant stock option packages
- 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (premium PPO and HMO options)
- Life insurance
- Traditional and Roth 401(k)
- Relocation assistance provided
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays
- Generous Paid Parental Leave and extended transition back to work for the birthing parent
- Free daily catered lunch and dinner, and fully stocked kitchenette
- Casual dress, flexible work hours, and regular catered team building events
Pay
Our intent is to offer a salary that is commensurate for the company’s current stage of development and allows the employee to grow and develop within a role. In addition to the significant stock option package, the estimated salary range for this role is $160,000-$300,000. The upper end of the range is reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional experience, deep domain mastery, and a proven history of high performance and impact.
Schedule
Full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions.