Needl · 1 week ago
Hardware Engineer (founding)
San Francisco Bay Area
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$200K/yr - $300K/yrNeedl is a stealth robotics startup focused on building autonomous systems for heavy industrial machines. They are seeking a founding Hardware Engineer to design and build core systems for remote operation and autonomy assistance on industrial machines, working across mechanical, electrical, and embedded disciplines.
ConsultingRecruitingStaffing Agency
Hiring Manager
Rob Shannon
Responsibilities
Architect and build tele-operation hardware systems, including power, compute, and control modules for machine retrofits
Integrate and calibrate cameras, LiDAR, radar, GNSS, IMUs, and other sensors using interfaces like GMSL, CAN, and Ethernet
Design robust wiring harnesses, brackets, mounts, and enclosures that survive real-world abuse
Implement and validate CAN, LIN, J1939, Serial, and Ethernet connections with both existing ECUs and custom control hardware
Work with vendors to bring designs from scrappy prototypes to reliable production, including DFM, testing, and validation
Lead machine bring-up, HIL testing, and on-site debugging alongside software and autonomy engineers
Produce schematics, harness drawings, CAD models, assembly docs, and anything else needed to build and scale the hardware
Qualification
Required
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.'
Architect and build tele-operation hardware systems, including power, compute, and control modules for machine retrofits
Integrate and calibrate cameras, LiDAR, radar, GNSS, IMUs, and other sensors using interfaces like GMSL, CAN, and Ethernet
Design robust wiring harnesses, brackets, mounts, and enclosures that survive real-world abuse
Implement and validate CAN, LIN, J1939, Serial, and Ethernet connections with both existing ECUs and custom control hardware
Work with vendors to bring designs from scrappy prototypes to reliable production, including DFM, testing, and validation
Lead machine bring-up, HIL testing, and on-site debugging alongside software and autonomy engineers
Produce schematics, harness drawings, CAD models, assembly docs, and anything else needed to build and scale the hardware
Benefits
Full health/dental/vision
Relocation + visa support
Downtown SF workspace with full electronics/mech prototyping tools
401(k)
High-spec laptop
Budget for any gear you need
Company
Needl
Needl (fka Martinsen Mayer) is a specialist recruitment agency helping venture-backed startups and scaleups build out their orgs.
Founded in 2013
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase