Embedded Hardware Engineer (PCB)

Job Title

Embedded Hardware Engineer (PCB)

Role Summary

The Embedded Hardware Engineer will design and deliver PCB-based systems and the accompanying low-level software to validate and showcase an ultra-low-power programmable processor. You will create bring-up test hardware, customer evaluation development kits (EDKs), boot firmware, and a low-level SDK, and you will work across digital design, compiler, and customer teams to debug and validate silicon.

Work includes pre-silicon validation with RTL simulators and FPGA emulators, first-silicon bring-up, and supporting customers with board reviews and development. Compensation range: $160,000–$210,000 annually plus equity and benefits.

Experience Level

Senior — expects 8+ years of relevant experience (see Requirements for specifics).

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include developing hardware and firmware to validate and demonstrate new processors, and supporting customer hardware efforts.

• Design and develop bring-up test hardware and customer evaluation development kits (EDKs).
• Engage and manage relationships with PCBA vendors and manufacturing partners.
• Perform board bring-up, lab debugging, and prototype validation.
• Execute pre-silicon validation using RTL simulators and FPGA emulators.
• Develop secure boot ROMs and low-level firmware for processors.
• Perform first-silicon bring-up and checkout; collaborate with digital design and compiler teams to debug silicon issues.
• Build and maintain a low-level SDK and standard libraries for the processor platform.
• Support customers with board design reviews and recommended solutions.
• Deploy and validate applications across simulation, RTL emulation, and silicon.

Requirements

Candidates should meet the must-have technical and practical requirements below; a few preferred skills follow.

Must-have:

• 8+ years of PCB board design experience.
• 8+ years developing software for embedded systems.
• Experience debugging new silicon and hardware prototypes in the lab.
• 5+ years of experience with C and/or C++.
• Deep knowledge of at least one embedded platform (examples: MSP430, STM32, Ambiq Apollo, PIC32, or similar).
• Experience with industry-standard embedded development and debugging tools.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to manage multiple projects, and solid problem-solving and communication skills.
• Comfortable working at a fast start-up engineering pace.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with Altium Designer.
• Solid grasp of computer architecture principles.

Education Requirements

Not specified.

About the Company

Company: Efficient Computer

Headquarters: Austin, TX, USA

Developer of ultra-low-power general-purpose processors using patented technology that can consume up to 100x less energy than comparable ultra-low-power processors. Their programmable platform supports standard high-level languages and AI/ML frameworks to enable long-lived, battery-powered edge devices and energy-efficient SoCs for IoT and edge AI applications.