Robotics / Mechanical / PCB Design Engineer

Sentala builds an AI-enabled drone system to protect wildlife reserves and ecosystems. Our drones combine real-time autonomy, ecological monitoring, and rapid response to serve as a “ranger multiplier” for understaffed conservation and anti-poaching teams. Sentala is a tech-first, 501(c)(3) R&D startup based in Palo Alto, California, created by some of the tech world’s foremost experts. We’re a fast-moving, hardware-focused team working at the intersection of robotics, autonomy, and field conservation. Currently in our second year with around 10 full-time employees, our drone systems have begun deployment across three partners and we are actively scaling.

About the Role

We need a hands-on hardware engineer who can contribute PCB design, mechanical/CAD design, and hardware integration for our UAV systems. This role is critical as we scale up and deploy. You should have demonstrated experience on a real project (prior job, shipped product, or personal projects) and be comfortable taking hardware from prototype through production. While software experience is not critical, you must be comfortable collaborating with systems and autonomy engineers. The role is collaborative, primarily with a team of 2-3 other hardware engineers, but you will own your own projects and timeline. This is an independent role where you will design and execute high-level goals rather than be micromanaged.

Responsibilities

• PCB Design & Electrical: Schematic design, PCB layout, and validation for avionics, sensor boards, and power systems.
• Hardware bring-up, debugging, and field validation.
• Work with vendors/manufacturers to get boards built, tested, and into production.
• Mechanical & CAD Design: Use Onshape (preferred) or similar tools to design housings, mounts, and enclosures for UAV hardware.
• Rapid prototyping (3D printing, machining, composites) and iteration for weight, strength, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with local and international test teams to refine designs after flight/field trials.
• RF & Systems Integration: Support integration of long-range radios and wireless systems into drones.
• Productization & Reliability: Transition prototypes into manufacturable, reliable hardware.
• Design for environmental resilience (dust, heat, vibration, moisture).
• Document designs, test procedures, and release notes.

Qualifications

• A few years in hardware engineering (robotics, aerospace, consumer electronics, or related), preferably with experience in a deployed product.
• Demonstrated real-world project experience (e.g., shipped product, deployed system, or substantial personal project—must be able to show results).
• PCB design skills (Altium, KiCad).
• CAD experience (Onshape, SOLIDWORKS, etc).
• Hands-on prototyping and lab/debug skills.
• Experience bringing hardware into production.
• Strong problem-solving and iteration mindset.
• Thrives in proactive and autonomous working environments.
• Willing to relocate to Palo Alto / SF Bay Area or travel regularly.
• Willing to travel internationally for weeks at a time, 2-3x/yr.
• Willingness to work outside of job description.

Nice to Have

• UAV experience.
• Field work experience.
• Projects (electronics / robotics / mechanical) to show off.