Hardware Engineer (founding) Job at Needl, San Francisco, CA

VkxBWEVHVFFhN1VsRU5ZTDMyNTdnSm5sTWc9PQ==
  • Needl
  • San Francisco, CA

Job Description

Founding Hardware Engineer (Stealth Robotics Startup)

On-Site • San Francisco, CA

About Us

We’re a tiny, fast-moving team building autonomous systems for heavy industrial machines. We retrofit existing equipment with a plug-and-play autonomy kit that taps directly into machine controls and layers on a full perception + connectivity stack: multi-sensor vision, LiDAR, high-precision GNSS, IMU, and a low-latency tele-operation network.

In just a few months, we’ve gone from first prototype to real machines operating on active job sites, with early recurring revenue and a growing pipeline of paid pilots. We’re backed by top-tier early-stage investors along with a group of founder-operators who know what it takes to build in the real world.

Our founding team has built and shipped hardware, software, and robotics systems before. We thrive where physical machinery, harsh environments, and rapid iteration collide.

Why Join Us

  • You want to work on problems that actually matter — fixing how the world builds things. Construction is the backbone of civilization, and it’s currently broken. We’re here to change that.
  • You don’t want a cushy robotics lab job. You want to build robots in the mud, on real sites, under real constraints. You’d rather spend a week living out of a dusty RV next to a machine you’re debugging than polishing a slide deck.
  • You want to see your designs move 20–50 tons of real hardware. You want to feel the stakes.
  • You want teammates who operate at founder-level intensity and ownership.

About You

  • You’re a hacker at heart — the kind of person who gets a prototype working before most people finish their planning doc.
  • You’ve built something from scratch: a company, a product, a robot, a system — success not required, agency absolutely required.
  • You work extremely hard, laugh often, and don’t mind chaos. You prefer “figure it out now” to “wait for perfect requirements.”

What You’ll Own

As a founding Hardware / Mechatronics Engineer, you’ll design and build the core systems that enable remote operation, sensing, and autonomy assistance on industrial machines. You’ll work across mechanical, electrical, and embedded disciplines, often all in the same day.

System Design & Prototyping

  • Architect and build tele-operation hardware systems, including power, compute, and control modules for machine retrofits.

Sensor Integration

  • Integrate and calibrate cameras, LiDAR, radar, GNSS, IMUs, and other sensors using interfaces like GMSL, CAN, and Ethernet.

Electrical & Mechanical Integration

  • Design robust wiring harnesses, brackets, mounts, and enclosures that survive real-world abuse.

Communication Interfaces

  • Implement and validate CAN, LIN, J1939, Serial, and Ethernet connections with both existing ECUs and custom control hardware.

Manufacturing & DFM

  • Work with vendors to bring designs from scrappy prototypes to reliable production, including DFM, testing, and validation.

Testing & Validation

  • Lead machine bring-up, HIL testing, and on-site debugging alongside software and autonomy engineers.

Documentation & Design

  • Produce schematics, harness drawings, CAD models, assembly docs, and anything else needed to build and scale the hardware.

Compensation & Support

  • Base: ~$250–380k
  • Equity: ~1–3%
  • Full health/dental/vision, relocation + visa support, downtown SF workspace with full electronics/mech prototyping tools, 401(k), high-spec laptop, and budget for any gear you need.

Job Tags

Live out, Remote work, Visa sponsorship, Relocation package,

Similar Jobs

Heyden Supply

Outside Sales Representative Job at Heyden Supply

 ...long-lasting relationships and delivers outstanding results. Role Description This is a full-time on-site role for an Outside Sales Representative located in Duluth, GA. The Outside Sales Representative will be responsible for identifying and developing new... 

Silver Star Construction

Dump Truck Driver Job at Silver Star Construction

 ...Silver Star Construction as the right company for you! Dump Truck/CDL A Driver 2401 S. Broadway Ave. Moore, OK 73160, USA - *Full-Time...  ...Must have CDL A (at least 2 yrs required w/ verifiable DOT experience). Must have a good driving record (2 points or less).... 

Pop-Up Talent

Apartment Maintenance Technician Job at Pop-Up Talent

 ...Apartment Maintenance Technician Mountain View, CA 94041 (servicing Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara) POSITION OVERVIEW:...  ...focused, self-motivated, and experienced in apartment maintenance, repairs, and unit turnovers. This role requires strong technical... 

Medical Services of America

Speech Therapist Home Health Part-Time/PRN Job at Medical Services of America

 ...Empower Communication. Deliver Care Where It Counts. Speech Therapist Home Health | Roanoke, VA Employment Type: Part-Time/PRN Pay Range: $55.00-$60.00 At Medi Home Health and Hospice , a division of Medical Services of America, Inc. , we believe care...