Founding Hardware / Embedded Engineer

About the Role

CGS is an early-stage company developing sensor technology deployed on real ships. This is an opportunity to take ownership of the entire hardware lifecycle, from circuit design and PCB development to firmware, soldering, bench testing, and real-world deployment. The company has paid pilots signed in three US locations and a government contract. You’ll join at an early stage, work directly on the existing sensor technology, and help build the hardware foundation for the company’s next phase of growth. Recent graduates and students with exceptional practical engineering skills are encouraged to apply. Your projects and ability to build working hardware matter more than the names on your CV.

Key Responsibilities

• Own hardware development from schematics and PCB design through assembly, testing, and deployment.
• Design and develop circuit boards using tools such as KiCad or Altium.
• Build, solder, debug, and bench-test electronic hardware by hand.
• Develop embedded firmware and integrate sensors, microcontrollers, and supporting electronics.
• Work with components such as accelerometers, IMUs, thermal cameras, power regulators, connectors, and enclosures.
• Test and improve sensor systems designed to operate in demanding real-world environments.
• Work directly with the founding team to solve hardware challenges and improve existing sensor products.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Hands-on experience designing your own PCBs and schematics.
• Practical soldering, electronics assembly, debugging, and bench-testing skills.
• Experience with embedded systems or firmware, ideally using ESP32, Raspberry Pi, or similar platforms.
• Evidence of having taken a hardware project from initial design to a working, tested device.
• A practical, resourceful approach to troubleshooting and building things from scratch.
• Current residence in the San Francisco Bay Area and the ability to start immediately.
• US citizenship or permanent residency (green card), required for the company's government and defense-related work.
• Experience with sensors, power regulation, connectors, enclosures, robotics, automotive systems, industrial IoT, or other harsh-environment applications is a plus.
• A personal hardware project, complete with photos, test results, or a code repository, is an excellent way to demonstrate your skills. Student robotics teams, Formula SAE, rocketry, and CubeSat projects are all relevant backgrounds.

Qualifications

• A degree in electrical engineering, electronics, embedded systems, robotics, or a related field or equivalent practical experience through personal projects and student engineering teams.

Why Join?

• End-to-end ownership: Take responsibility for the complete hardware lifecycle from day one.
• Real-world deployment: Work on sensors operating on actual ships, not just prototypes in a lab.
• Commercial traction: Contribute to a company with paid pilots across three US locations and an existing government contract.
• Meaningful equity: Receive 1–1.5% equity and share in the company's potential growth.
• Room to grow: Develop your technical responsibilities as the company scales, with opportunities earned through performance and impact.

Location and Compensation

• Location: San Francisco Bay Area, working in person at the hardware lab.
• Working schedule: A demanding 9-9-6 schedule.
• Start date: Immediately.
• Base salary: $150,000–$170,000.
• Equity: 1–1.5%.
• Eligibility: US citizens and green card holders only.

Interview Process

• Introductory conversation, ideally in person at the hardware lab.
• Practical work trial using the company's existing sensors.
• Offer.