| Location | San Francisco, CA |
Founding Hardware and Embedded Engineer
Location San Francisco , CA 94107 Date Posted October 12, 2026 Job ID 15740 Employment Type Direct Hire
Scion Staffing has been engaged to conduct a search for a Founding Hardware & Embedded Engineer for our partner, an early-stage technology company developing advanced industrial sensing solutions for demanding real-world environments. This is a direct-hire, onsite position in San Francisco, California.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Founding Hardware & Embedded Engineer will help build, test, and improve rugged sensing hardware designed for deployment in maritime environments. Initially, this individual will assemble and prepare an existing sensor fleet for customer pilots before taking ownership of new sensor development across electronics, firmware, and physical integration. This is an excellent opportunity for an emerging engineer with significant hands-on project experience to influence product direction and grow into a senior product leadership position.
PERKS:
Competitive base salary of up to $150k/yr.
Potential equity participation (1-1.5%) and a meaningful opportunity to grow into product leadership.
Direct influence over the development of innovative sensing and autonomous hardware.
Hands-on startup environment offering significant ownership, learning, and career growth.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assemble, wire, solder, test, and prepare existing sensor systems for deployment in paid customer pilots.
Own the hardware development lifecycle, including schematic capture, PCB design, component selection, assembly, and bench testing.
Integrate accelerometers, thermal cameras, IMUs, and other sensors with microcontrollers and embedded platforms.
Develop and update firmware for platforms such as ESP32 and Raspberry Pi.
Troubleshoot field issues and improve hardware based on performance data and operator feedback.
Develop new sensing systems and contribute to future autonomous maritime vehicle prototypes and overall product direction.
QUALIFICATIONS:
At least two years of hands-on hardware development experience gained through personal projects, freelance work, internships, research, or professional employment.
Bachelor's degree completed or in progress in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.
Demonstrated experience designing schematics and PCBs and taking personally owned projects from concept through working hardware.
Experience with embedded systems, microcontrollers, firmware development, and sensor integration.
Practical ability to assemble, wire, solder, troubleshoot, and bench-test electronic devices.
Knowledge of power regulation, connectors, component selection, and enclosure integration.
U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status is required due to eligibility requirements connected with government and defense-related work; experience with industrial IoT, robotics, marine, automotive, or rugged hardware is a plus.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
This direct-hire opportunity offers an anticipated base salary up to $150k/yr (DOE) plus equity (1-1.5%).
HOW TO APPLY: For immediate consideration, please submit your resume here!
ABOUT OUR SEARCH FIRM:
Scion Staffing is a national award-winning staffing firm! Since 2006, we have had the pleasure of successfully placing thousands of talented professionals with amazing career opportunities. Through our innovative team building and recruiting solutions, we bridge the gap in executive leadership searches, direct hire recruiting, interim leadership placement, and temporary professional staffing. We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm as well as a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm can also be found online.
Scion Staffing, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation or belief, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent. For opportunities located in a region that have enacted fair chance, arrest or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Staffing proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.