Sr Electrical Engineer

About the role

This role is critical to the design, development, and productization of compute modules, RF systems, camera systems, and BLDC motor controllers. It involves leading the electrical design of complex multi-layer HDI PCBs, performing detailed power delivery network (PDN) analysis, transient analysis, and high-speed signal integrity simulation. The role also includes driving and managing design reviews, selecting, validating, and integrating ICs, power systems, sensors, radios, and other components. Collaboration with mechanical engineers and suppliers is essential, along with interfacing with suppliers and fabrication/assembly partners on production readiness.

Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical design of complex multi-layer HDI PCBs, compute modules, and custom edge AI platforms
• Perform detailed power delivery network (PDN) analysis, transient analysis, and high-speed signal integrity simulation
• Drive and manage design reviews (initial, intermediate, and final), documenting all design decisions and review outcomes in Confluence
• Own the full product development lifecycle from schematic capture to production release
• Select, validate, and integrate ICs, power systems, sensors, radios, and other components
• Collaborate closely with mechanical engineers to ensure seamless integration into enclosures, thermals, shielding, and interconnects
• Develop validation plans, bring-up guides, and work with firmware/software teams during prototype and EVT/DVT phases
• Maintain clean revision control, documentation, and BOMs across development and production
• Author thorough documentation in Confluence: schematics, reviews, test plans, bring up notes, etc.
• Interface directly with suppliers and fabrication/assembly partners on production readiness
• Drive validation and bring up of new hardware platforms, working closely with firmware and test teams
• Proactively manage project scope, priorities, and deliverables with minimal oversight
• Serve as the primary electrical point of contact for external manufacturers and suppliers, supporting hardware bring-up, first article builds, and sustaining engineering tasks
• Develop per-unit electrical test plans and oversee the design and validation of custom test fixtures for production environments, ensuring repeatable and scalable test coverage
• Support customers through hands-on electrical integration of our modules into their systems, including design reviews, bring-up assistance, and technical validation to ensure successful adoption of development kits into production designs
• Willingness to travel periodically throughout the year to support key product milestones and collaboration efforts

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering or equivalent technical discipline
• 6+ years experience in electrical product development, including shipping real products
• Expert in KiCad (mandatory), with working knowledge of Altium or similar tools
• Demonstrated experience with HDI board design, controlled impedance, microvias, blind/buried vias
• Strong skills in PDN, SI, and EMI analysis
• Experience integrating PCBs into mechanical systems (e.g., stackups, grounding/shielding, mounting, thermal)
• Fluent in Confluence, Git, and structured engineering documentation practices
• Proven track record of managing full product lifecycles from concept to production
• Strong DFM/DFT understanding and supplier/CM collaboration
• Proficiency in power systems design, regulators, battery management, and protection circuits
• Proficiency with soldering irons, hot air rework, multimeters, power supplies, and other common lab equipment
• Comfortable with fine-pitch rework, jumper wiring, and component replacement on dense PCB layouts
• Familiarity with firmware bring up tools, test instruments (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers), and embedded Linux platforms
• Proven experience working directly with customers or OEMs to support hardware or module integration, including reviewing schematics, layout, and test plans as part of the pre-sales and design-in process
• Familiarity with product regulatory and compliance factors (FCC/CE/UL desirable)
• High ownership mentality – must be self managed, organized, and quality obsessed

Qualifications

• Experience working in a startup or fast-paced product company environment
• Prior experience in RF system design, antenna tuning, or wireless regulatory compliance testing (FCC/ISED/CE)
• Experience designing with high-power or high-current motor controllers (BLDC, ESCs)
• Familiarity with wireless communication modules including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or 5G
• Hands-on experience with EMC/ESD mitigation techniques and compliance testing
• Proficiency in Python or Bash for test automation or bring-up scripting
• Experience in troubleshooting embedded Linux systems and navigating Linux terminals
• Direct experience in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) or robotics industry
• A U.S. Military Veteran experienced with tactical equipment from a user or developer perspective
• An active security clearance
• Prior experience in a fast-paced, Series A or Series B startup environment, specifically building hardware departments from the ground up

Skills

• Strong skills in power systems design, regulators, battery management, and protection circuits
• Experience with HDI board design, controlled impedance, microvias, blind/buried vias
• Expertise in PDN, SI, and EMI analysis
• Strong skills in power systems design, regulators, battery management, and protection circuits
• Experience with RF system design, antenna tuning, or wireless regulatory compliance testing (FCC/ISED/CE)
• Experience designing with high-power or high-current motor controllers (BLDC, ESCs)
• Familiarity with wireless communication modules including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or 5G
• Hands-on experience with EMC/ESD mitigation techniques and compliance testing
• Proficiency in Python or Bash for test automation or bring-up scripting
• Experience in troubleshooting embedded Linux systems and navigating Linux terminals
• Direct experience in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) or robotics industry
• A U.S. Military Veteran experienced with tactical equipment from a user or developer perspective
• Active security clearance
• Prior experience in a fast-paced, Series A or Series B startup environment, specifically building hardware departments from the ground up

Benefits

Darkhive Offers Comprehensive medical plans
100% employer paid dental and vision insurance premiums
Automatic 401k employer contribution with vesting
Paid vacation and personal time off
11 Paid holidays
5 days of sick leave
Stock options
Welcoming and friendly work environment
Respect of work-life balance