8 jobs found

Energy is the binding constraint on human progress. Solar and storage are the lowest cost sources of new generation, but the conventional project delivery model has not changed in 30 years and deployment cannot keep pace with demand. Planted is turning power plants from projects into products. Our software turns raw land into a build-ready power plant in minutes instead of months. Our hardware delivers twice the energy on every acre. Our robots put steel in the ground so output scales with production lines instead of headcount. We're looking for a technical leader to build and scale the software organization at the center of that transition - from the autonomy stack running on our robots to the AI systems that will make deployment even faster. You will own the architecture, roadmap, and team driving Planted's next phase of growth. We don't wait for abundance. We build it. About The Role Software is both the brains of our machines and the connective tissue of Planted operations. You will lead and grow a software organization spanning three domains: autonomous robotic vehicle software, our suite of web-based power plant design, build, and operate tools, and an emerging portfolio of AI agents that automate engineering, estimation, and operations workflows. We are looking for a pragmatic technical leader with a track record of building high-performing, multi-disciplinary software teams. You must be deep enough technically to drive key architectural decisions across the vertically integrated platform, and strategic enough to drive and execute on the product roadmap. You have systems literacy (e.g., how data moves from a robot's camera into an ML pipeline) and prioritize delivery mechanics over heavy-handed project management. Our robots are building projects in the field today and our design software is in front of customers. Your mandate is to scale the product and the team to support our current 10x year over year growth in megawatts deployed. The Team: You will join a group at the intersection of deep tech and massive physical infrastructure. Our engineering core brings robotics and automation DNA from SpaceX and Tesla, working directly alongside veteran energy developers. We are led by repeat founders with a successful prior exit (Cogenra to SunPower). Planted is backed by leading investors in energy and Physical AI, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Piva Capital. The annual salary range for this full-time position is $275,000-$325,000 plus a meaningful equity stake and benefits. Pay within the range is based on candidate experience, job-specific skills, and education. The target experience for the position is 10-15+ years. We work together in person 5 days/week at our HQ in Oakland, CA. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Organizational Leadership & Talent Development: Build, scale, and mentor a high-performing, multi-level software organization, including direct management of engineering managers, principal engineers, and system architects. Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous growth. Recruit and retain top-tier software talent across cloud, spatial/CAD, embedded, and robotics domains while allowing technical experts to own the architecture. Strategic Execution & Stakeholder Management : Own the software roadmap and drive the predictable, on-time delivery of complex, multi-system software projects across multiple products. Set clear expectations, communicate progress, and align software deliverables. Collaborate seamlessly with the Commercial team, Hardware Engineering, and Project Operations. Make the build-vs-buy, stack, and platform decisions that will hold up at 100x scale. Software Product Suite Ownership: Lead development across our core platforms: Power Planter (automated layout, engineering, and costing), Build View (autonomous fleet management, field deployment, and QA/QC), and Operate View (inspection, operations, and maintenance tools for large-scale solar plants). Autonomous Robotic Vehicle Platforms: Lead the engineering teams deploying the full software stack across our autonomous field machine fleet (fleet logic, behavior trees, and path planning, modern and classical controls, ROS2, etc.). Data Flywheel: We operate our field machines like modern manufacturing lines. You will own the telemetry and data infrastructure that monitors production with statistical process control and turns every installation into training data for better models and improved machine productivity. AI Systems: Build the team and roadmap for AI agents that automate design, estimation, project delivery, and operations workflows, grounded in the data our robots and projects generate. QUALIFICATIONS 10 to 15+ years of software engineering experience, including 5+ years leading engineering teams (senior ICs and managers) shipping production systems. Deep expertise in full stack software development involving hardware and software integration like robotics, IoT, or industrial automation. Track record shipping robotics, autonomous vehicles, or hardtech software into the field at scale-with a strong focus on fleet reliability, continuous testing, and real-time observability. Broad leadership capability across platform/full-stack teams, cloud infrastructure, data systems, or applied AI/ML groups outside your core specialty. Systems architecture judgment with strong understanding of how technologies work together (e.g., middleware, pub/sub architectures, web services, and ML pipelines). You do not need to write the C++ on the robot, but you must understand edge compute, latency, and hardware-in-the-loop testing. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Field robotics : Experience in construction, agriculture, mining, defense, logistics, or autonomous vehicles operating off-pavement (e.g., Waymo, Cruise, Bedrock Automation). DevOps & Delivery: Strong understanding of modern software deployment and containerization (Docker). Experience with CI/CD, release pipelines, and edge deployment strategies, focusing on how code reliably gets to the machine. Agentic and AI-Augmented Software Engineering: Experience building, rebuilding, and managing AI-integrated software development platforms and teams. Robotics & Controls: Familiarity with the complexities of deploying field-robotics software (e.g., ROS2, vehicle navigation, and autonomy stacks). You understand the unique delivery challenges of robotics compared to traditional software. Perception & Sensing: Experience with LiDAR, stereoscopic/IR cameras, object detection, spatial mapping, and SLAM in dynamic outdoor environments. Strong understanding of middleware, pub/sub architectures alongside web services, backend technologies, and ML pipelines. Spatial / CAD Expertise: Deep understanding of software platforms working with geospatial data (GIS, CAD engines, 3D modeling, or automated parametric design). Industrial Operations: Exposure to automated manufacturing execution systems (MES) managing statistical process control, telemetry monitoring, or fleet analytics in hardtech, renewable energy environments, or advanced manufacturing. What We Offer 11 paid company holidays and flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) Company-paid in-office lunches Stock options Medical, vision, dental, and other benefits Pre-tax commuter benefits 401(k) A chance to have an empowered, meaningful, and early role in climate How This Is A Fit You want to solve challenging problems You are biased towards action and focus on the vital work that drives the most impact You prioritize the physical and psychological safety of yourself and those around you You are humble, embrace change, and deliver and receive candid feedback You are optimistic about the future and can make tough decisions to help get there You have high expectations and coach, develop, and make time to help others Planted is an equal opportunity employer committed to growing inclusively, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, medical condition, age, or veteran status. However you identify, or whatever background you bring with you, please apply. We look forward to hearing from you.

Karman is a fast-growing NVIDIA-backed AI company enabling AI data centers to dynamically orchestrate power and unlock more compute capacity from existing energy infrastructure. For over a decade, we have applied AI to the electric grid - bringing real-time visibility and power-flow control to complex energy infrastructure. Our Karman platform, built on a custom NVIDIA module, brings that same capability to AI data centers, giving operators a way to better use the power already available to them. The Power Applications team takes power control and orchestration algorithms from idea to production. We own the complete end-to-end process: developing power control and orchestration algorithms, translating them into deployable applications, and owning the deployment and maintenance of those applications in the field. As the Technical Lead, Power Applications, you will coordinate data scientists and software engineers to produce these applications, define repeatable and scalable workflows that let the team deliver efficiently, and act as the technical interface to other teams on the stack. This is a leadership role. While you will still spend meaningful time in the codebase, a large part of the work is communication, coordination, and project management. Your leverage comes from the designs you set, the standards you hold, the engineers you develop, and your ability to keep cross-functional work moving. Success in this role is measured by driving continuous delivery, building for scale and resilience, and navigating the demands of a rapidly growing company. This position works cross-functionally with product, engineering, and data science teams and is open to fully remote candidates, with periodic travel expected for company retreats and key on-site engagements. Responsibilities Enable the Power Applications team to own the end-to-end lifecycle of Utilidata's power control and orchestration applications, from algorithm development, through translation into deployable software, to deployment and ongoing maintenance in production Directly contribute to the Power Applications codebase and work with the team to define and own code quality standards and engineering workflows Serve as the senior individual contributor coordinating data scientists and software engineers, aligning the group on design and quality through architecture and code review Design continuous delivery workflows that bridge algorithm development and production, including the path from prototype code (e.g., Python) to the deployed application's language (e.g., Rust), so work moves to production smoothly and repeatably Act as the technical interface between Power Applications and other teams on the stack, establishing clear system boundaries, data contracts, and power application SLAs Contribute to system architecture discussions for the Karman platform as a whole, ensuring the subsystems that support power-flow control fit coherently into that wider architecture Build for reliability and scale so power applications run continuously across experimentation, staging, and deployed environments. Minimum Qualifications 10+ years of software engineering experience, including a track record of technical leadership on complex production systems Demonstrated ability to lead engineers through architecture, code review, and mentorship, and to raise the technical bar of a team Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with substantial experience working directly with stakeholders across teams Strong project management and technical planning skills - sequencing work, managing cross-team dependencies, translating product requirements into technical designs Strong foundation in distributed systems and reliability engineering: fault tolerance, graceful degradation, observability, and testing for systems that cannot go down Experience taking software from prototype to hardened production, ideally where the platform and requirements were still evolving Proficiency in Python and at least one systems language (C++, Rust, or Go) Willingness to travel up to 10% of time Enhanced Qualifications (Nice to Have) Hands-on experience with real-time, low-latency, or control systems : software that must respond within strict time bounds and behave predictably under load Experience with edge or embedded computing, especially on NVIDIA platforms (Jetson-class devices, CUDA, or NVML) Background in power systems, energy, industrial control, robotics, or another physical-world real-time domain) Experience productionizing ML models or algorithms in collaboration with data science teams Salary Range: $180,000 to $220,000 base compensation depending on experience and level, plus stock options. This role spans multiple job levels; final level and compensation will be determined based on the candidate's experience. Location: This position can be performed remotely from anywhere in the United States. Our Commitments: Karman values the diversity of our team. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or childbirth, sexual orientation, genetics, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. We are committed to: Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is welcoming, supportive, affirming and respectful Empowering employees to solve problems and work together to make a difference Providing mentorship and growth opportunities as part of a collaborative team A flexible work environment with flexible paid time off Competitive compensation and benefits, including health, dental, vision, and employer-match 401k

Job Description Job Description About the Team: The Sensors Division within STR focuses on the development and analysis of advanced sensor systems in the RF, acoustic, and electro-optical domains. This includes the design and development of novel sensors and advanced information processing techniques from ideation to prototype implementations. The Subsea and Seabed Systems (SSS) Group develops and delivers advanced undersea sensor and signal processing systems, including bespoke undersea vehicles to deploy those systems. We apply those products to to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and counter-ISR applications to deliver missions success to our customers. The Role: We are seeking a Principal Investigator (PI) to lead cutting edge research and development in advanced undersea sensing and robotic systems. This role is ideal for a technical leader who can originate innovative concepts, shape them into compelling customer focused proposals, architect and plan complex programs, and drive execution from initial idea through successful at sea demonstration. You will set the technical vision and lead multidisciplinary teams working on next generation Counter Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (C UUV) technologies, acoustic underwater sensing and signal processing, noise control, undersea robotics, and other advanced undersea systems. You will engage directly with U.S. Government and industry partners, define new capabilities, and deliver operationally relevant solutions. What you will do: Technical Leadership & Vision Define and lead a research agenda in advanced undersea sensing and robotics, with emphasis on C UUV, acoustic sensing, signal processing, and noise control Architect system level solutions for uncrewed undersea vehicles, sensor payloads, and command and control (C2) systems, including sensing, processing, autonomy, and communications Provide technical direction to electrical, mechanical, software, and systems engineers; ensure integration of hardware, software, and algorithms into robust undersea systems An ideal candidate need not have depth in all areas of a system (electrical, mechanical, software, etc.), but needs to understand their system-level interplay and be able to lead a team across disciplines Innovation, Capture, and Customer Engagement Generate new concepts and technology approaches that address emerging undersea mission needs and capability gaps Lead the development of white papers, proposals, and briefings; pitch ideas and technical solutions to U.S. Government and other customers Shape program scope, technical objectives, and execution plans in collaboration with business development and program management Serve as the primary technical interface to customers, communicating trade offs, risks, and progress clearly and credibly Program Execution & Team Leadership Translate concepts into executable technical plans and collaborate with a Program Manager to develop work breakdown structures, schedules, risk management, and resource planning Lead technical teams through design, implementation, integration, and test of undersea systems, from lab prototypes to at sea demonstrations Ensure rigorous system level testing (HIL, lab, pool, and at sea), and drive iterative improvement based on test data and operational feedback Mentor and develop early career engineers and researchers; foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and hands on problem solving Technical Execution (Domain Expertise) Provide technical expertise in an area of undersea research. This may include: Guide the design and integration of advanced acoustic sensing systems, including transducer arrays, front end electronics, and digital signal processing chains Lead research in C UUV detection, tracking, and defeat concepts, including sensing modalities, classification algorithms, and autonomous behaviors Direct efforts in noise control and signature management for undersea platforms and sensors Oversee embedded and real time processing architectures (e.g., FPGAs, GPUs, SBCs) supporting autonomy, signal processing, and C2 Maintain awareness of state of the art undersea technologies and incorporate relevant advances into ongoing and future programs Who you are: Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance with special access, for which U.S citizenship is needed by the U.S government Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Acoustics, Robotics, or a closely related field, and substantial experience (typically 8+ years) in undersea systems, sensing, or robotics; or equivalent combination of education and experience Experience as a technical lead on a complex R&D program, preferably in undersea or maritime domains Deep hands on experience in at least one core area: Acoustic underwater sensing and signal processing Counter UUV or undersea defense systems Undersea robotics and autonomy Noise control / signature management for undersea platforms Proven ability to: Develop innovative technical concepts and architectures Write and win competitive proposals or lead major technical captures Plan and manage technical execution for multidisciplinary teams Strong systems engineering mindset, including requirements development, architecture definition, trade studies, and verification/validation Practical familiarity with embedded systems and real time control (e.g., microcontrollers, FPGAs, SBCs) and their role in undersea platforms and sensing systems Experience with modeling, simulation, or analytical tools to set and assess performance expectations for UUVs or sensor systems Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief senior stakeholders and customers Even Better: Prior experience as a Principal Investigator or Chief Engineer on undersea robotics, UUV, advanced sensing, or complex R&D programs Experience designing electronics and systems for marine or other harsh environments (pressure, corrosion, moisture, vibration) Familiarity with robotic and autonomy frameworks (e.g., ROS, MOOS IvP, UMAA) and their integration with vehicle electronics and sensing systems Experience with advanced acoustic signal processing including array processing, detection, classification, localization, and tracking Background in control systems, sensor fusion, and their implications for hardware design, timing, and system architecture Experience with hardware in the loop (HIL) test setups, system level simulation, and at sea test campaigns, including deployment, operation, and recovery Experience interacting with the U.S. Navy or other U.S. Government organizations, including classified or special access programs Active Top Secret security clearance and prior special access program experience Experience with agile development methodologies and modern configuration management (e.g., Git) for hardware, firmware, and analysis tools This role is suited for a technical leader who thrives at the intersection of innovation, customer engagement, and hands on engineering, and who wants to shape the next generation of undersea sensing and robotic capabilities. Why Join Us? This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of groundbreaking undersea robotic and sensing systems that will shape the future of maritime autonomy. You will work alongside a passionate and talented team, tackling some of the most challenging and rewarding problems in the field. If you are a visionary roboticist with a drive to innovate and lead, we want to hear from you. Apply today and help us redefine what's possible beneath the waves. Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $220,000 - $260,000 The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions. STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, Carlsbad, CA, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us. STR is committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer. STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! Visit us at for more info. STR is an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status . click apply for full job details

Job Description Job Description About the Team: The Sensors Division within STR focuses on the development and analysis of advanced sensor systems in the RF, acoustic, and electro-optical domains. This includes the design and development of novel sensors and advanced information processing techniques from ideation to prototype implementations. The Subsea and Seabed Systems (SSS) Group develops and delivers advanced undersea sensor and signal processing systems, including bespoke undersea vehicles to deploy those systems. We apply those products to to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and counter-ISR applications to deliver missions success to our customers. The Role: We are seeking a Principal Investigator (PI) to lead cutting edge research and development in advanced undersea sensing and robotic systems. This role is ideal for a technical leader who can originate innovative concepts, shape them into compelling customer focused proposals, architect and plan complex programs, and drive execution from initial idea through successful at sea demonstration. You will set the technical vision and lead multidisciplinary teams working on next generation Counter Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (C UUV) technologies, acoustic underwater sensing and signal processing, noise control, undersea robotics, and other advanced undersea systems. You will engage directly with U.S. Government and industry partners, define new capabilities, and deliver operationally relevant solutions. What you will do: Technical Leadership & Vision Define and lead a research agenda in advanced undersea sensing and robotics, with emphasis on C UUV, acoustic sensing, signal processing, and noise control Architect system level solutions for uncrewed undersea vehicles, sensor payloads, and command and control (C2) systems, including sensing, processing, autonomy, and communications Provide technical direction to electrical, mechanical, software, and systems engineers; ensure integration of hardware, software, and algorithms into robust undersea systems An ideal candidate need not have depth in all areas of a system (electrical, mechanical, software, etc.), but needs to understand their system-level interplay and be able to lead a team across disciplines Innovation, Capture, and Customer Engagement Generate new concepts and technology approaches that address emerging undersea mission needs and capability gaps Lead the development of white papers, proposals, and briefings; pitch ideas and technical solutions to U.S. Government and other customers Shape program scope, technical objectives, and execution plans in collaboration with business development and program management Serve as the primary technical interface to customers, communicating trade offs, risks, and progress clearly and credibly Program Execution & Team Leadership Translate concepts into executable technical plans and collaborate with a Program Manager to develop work breakdown structures, schedules, risk management, and resource planning Lead technical teams through design, implementation, integration, and test of undersea systems, from lab prototypes to at sea demonstrations Ensure rigorous system level testing (HIL, lab, pool, and at sea), and drive iterative improvement based on test data and operational feedback Mentor and develop early career engineers and researchers; foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and hands on problem solving Technical Execution (Domain Expertise) Provide technical expertise in an area of undersea research. This may include: Guide the design and integration of advanced acoustic sensing systems, including transducer arrays, front end electronics, and digital signal processing chains Lead research in C UUV detection, tracking, and defeat concepts, including sensing modalities, classification algorithms, and autonomous behaviors Direct efforts in noise control and signature management for undersea platforms and sensors Oversee embedded and real time processing architectures (e.g., FPGAs, GPUs, SBCs) supporting autonomy, signal processing, and C2 Maintain awareness of state of the art undersea technologies and incorporate relevant advances into ongoing and future programs Who you are: Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance with special access, for which U.S citizenship is needed by the U.S government Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Acoustics, Robotics, or a closely related field, and substantial experience (typically 8+ years) in undersea systems, sensing, or robotics; or equivalent combination of education and experience Experience as a technical lead on a complex R&D program, preferably in undersea or maritime domains Deep hands on experience in at least one core area: Acoustic underwater sensing and signal processing Counter UUV or undersea defense systems Undersea robotics and autonomy Noise control / signature management for undersea platforms Proven ability to: Develop innovative technical concepts and architectures Write and win competitive proposals or lead major technical captures Plan and manage technical execution for multidisciplinary teams Strong systems engineering mindset, including requirements development, architecture definition, trade studies, and verification/validation Practical familiarity with embedded systems and real time control (e.g., microcontrollers, FPGAs, SBCs) and their role in undersea platforms and sensing systems Experience with modeling, simulation, or analytical tools to set and assess performance expectations for UUVs or sensor systems Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief senior stakeholders and customers Even Better: Prior experience as a Principal Investigator or Chief Engineer on undersea robotics, UUV, advanced sensing, or complex R&D programs Experience designing electronics and systems for marine or other harsh environments (pressure, corrosion, moisture, vibration) Familiarity with robotic and autonomy frameworks (e.g., ROS, MOOS IvP, UMAA) and their integration with vehicle electronics and sensing systems Experience with advanced acoustic signal processing including array processing, detection, classification, localization, and tracking Background in control systems, sensor fusion, and their implications for hardware design, timing, and system architecture Experience with hardware in the loop (HIL) test setups, system level simulation, and at sea test campaigns, including deployment, operation, and recovery Experience interacting with the U.S. Navy or other U.S. Government organizations, including classified or special access programs Active Top Secret security clearance and prior special access program experience Experience with agile development methodologies and modern configuration management (e.g., Git) for hardware, firmware, and analysis tools This role is suited for a technical leader who thrives at the intersection of innovation, customer engagement, and hands on engineering, and who wants to shape the next generation of undersea sensing and robotic capabilities. Why Join Us? This is an opportunity to contribute to the development of groundbreaking undersea robotic and sensing systems that will shape the future of maritime autonomy. You will work alongside a passionate and talented team, tackling some of the most challenging and rewarding problems in the field. If you are a visionary roboticist with a drive to innovate and lead, we want to hear from you. Apply today and help us redefine what's possible beneath the waves. Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $220,000 - $260,000 The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions. STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, Carlsbad, CA, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us. STR is committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer. STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! Visit us at for more info. STR is an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status . click apply for full job details

Job Description Job Description Company Overview Astera Neuro seeks to understand and engineer consciousness. We believe consciousness is the process by which the brain builds a coherent internal model of the world and the self. We aim to understand this model and to develop the technologies to write experience directly into the brain. By combining large-scale neural recording, causal perturbation, and brain-based AI, we seek to move neuroscience from observing correlates of experience to engineering it. The same tools carry direct therapeutic promise for neurological and psychiatric diseases that alter perception, thought, and sense of self. Because the science and tools required do not yet exist, we are assembling a founding team of neuroscientists, theorists, and engineers to create them. We do high-risk, high-reward science in a well-resourced, collaborative environment with competitive pay, and share everything openly under Astera's Open Science Policy. Position Summary Working closely with our experimental, surgical, and software teams, probe engineers here design and build the recording hardware - the probes, insertion mechanisms, and robotics that determine how much of the brain we can see, and how well. The role spans three tightly coupled problems: the probe (thin, flexible, high-density electrode arrays), the needle (the micro-machined tool that carries a probe past the meninges without damaging it or the tissue), and the robot (the precision system that places many probes quickly, accurately, and repeatedly while avoiding vasculature). You will move fluidly across mechanical design, microfabrication, and control, and you will own hardware from initial concept through benchtop validation and into the recording rig. We are hiring at multiple levels. As an Engineer, you will lead well-defined hardware projects with regular guidance. As a Senior Engineer, you will own hardware lines end-to-end, drive design decisions, and set fabrication and test strategy. As a Principal Engineer, you will define the probe and robotics roadmap, mentor engineers, and shape how mechanical, fabrication, and control work fit together at Astera. We will calibrate scope and title to your experience. What You'll Do Design flexible, high-density neural probes; thin-film polymer arrays (polyimide, Parylene C, or comparable) patterned with hundreds to thousands of microelectrodes, from layout through fabrication and encapsulation. Build probe-to-chip integration and the readout signal chain, bonding high-density electrode arrays to amplifier and acquisition electronics, and developing the low-noise front-end that amplifies, digitizes, and streams microvolt neural signals to the acquisition system. Design insertion needles and needle-pincher mechanisms; micro-machined and electrochemically etched tools that grasp, insert, and release flexible probes at micron-scale placement accuracy. Develop insertion strategies that solve the hard mechanics of putting a flexible thread into soft tissue; managing bending stiffness and buckling, temporarily stiffening the probe for insertion, and mitigating the forces that build up across many closely spaced insertions. Build a precision insertion robot; multi-axis motion, servo and linear-motor drives, and the real-time control that makes placement fast, accurate, and repeatable. Develop machine-vision guidance for the robot; imaging and computer vision that locate targets, guide the needle to them, and avoid surface vasculature during insertion. Build electrode characterization and process pipelines, impedance and electrochemistry (e.g., Pt, PEDOT coatings), yield, and reliability testing that turn a working prototype into a manufacturable part. Who You Are Required: Strong hands-on engineering across mechanical design and prototyping; you move fluently between CAD, the machine shop, and the benchtop. Experience building precision electromechanical or robotic systems (multi-axis motion, servo/linear-motor control, tight tolerance stacks). Familiarity with microfabrication and thin-film processes (photolithography, deposition, etching, cleanroom work), or a demonstrated ability to pick them up fast. Comfort with real-time control and the software that drives hardware (Python plus C/C++ or comparable; embedded, FPGA, or RTOS a plus). Working knowledge of the signal-acquisition chain - how low-level analog signals are amplified, digitized, and acquired - and comfort collaborating with electronics engineers on it. Genuine interest in building instruments for neuroscience, and in the tissue-mechanics constraints that make this problem hard. Preferred/Nice to Have: Flexible/thin-film electrode microfabrication (polyimide, Parylene C, PDMS) and electrode electrochemistry. Micro-machining and electrochemical etching of fine metal tooling (e.g., tungsten, tungsten-rhenium). Low-noise analog/mixed-signal front-end design for recording microvolt-scale signals (amplification, filtering, multiplexing, digitization). High-density interconnect and packaging; bonding fine-pitch electrode arrays to electronics (e.g., flip-chip, wire bonding, ACF, or comparable). Precision motion control, machine vision, or real-time closed-loop robotics. Surgical or medical-device hardware, including sterilization, sterile workflow, and design under regulatory constraints. Neural interfaces, MEMS sensors, or other implantable devices. Contributions to open-source hardware, instrumentation, or scientific-computing projects. Additionally Expected at Senior / Principal Level A track record of taking hardware from concept to working, validated device; owning design tradeoffs, fabrication, and test. Experience making and defending tradeoffs across precision, reliability, manufacturability, and biocompatibility. Comfort working across the stack, from mechanical design and fabrication to control software and system integration. A history of mentoring engineers or leading technical initiatives (Principal level). Education PhD with 3 to 12+ years of experience. Backgrounds in mechanical, electrical, biomedical, or materials engineering, mechatronics, robotics, applied physics, MEMS/microfabrication, or related fields are all welcome. Graduate work or research experience is a plus but not required. We value demonstrated skill and relevant experience above credentials. Compensation The posted salary range is based on location in the Bay Area. The successful candidate will receive a competitive compensation package, commensurate with their experience and location. Benefits summary Why Join Us Astera Neuro is hiring a probe engineer to design the flexible neural probes, insertion needles, and precision robotics that make large-scale recording possible: devices that place thousands of electrodes with micron precision while sparing the tissue around them. If you want to build the physical instrument at the heart of a new neuroscience, let's talk. Astera Neuro provides a comprehensive benefits package and total compensation that is competitive and commensurate with the level of experience and qualifications. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion! Compensation Range: $200K - $350K

Job Description Job Description Who We Are: Aurelius Systems is a VC backed defense tech startup building autonomous, edge deployed directed energy systems for counter-UAS. We build laser weapons to shoot down drones. We're a small team of 10 engineers, former US military operators, and subject matter experts scaling America's directed energy dominance. The first cost effective, reliable and robust laser weapon system. Our namesake isn't an accident. Marcus Aurelius wrote about doing the work in front of you, every day, without excuses. Henry Ford didn't wait for permission to reinvent manufacturing. That's how we operate - small team, unreasonable output, no hiding behind the unachievable. In addition to our San Francisco lab, we opened our Detroit manufacturing hub and field test weekly on our own 400-acre private range. The Role and Your Impact: We need a Principal Hardware Engineer to bring senior technical judgment across Archimedes hardware. You are a highly experienced builder who has seen systems go the full way. From a working prototype to hardware that ships and survives in the field. You've done it more than once. You know where systems break, where teams get stuck, and how to keep both moving. This is a technical leadership seat, not a people management seat. Your role is to raise the level of the hardware org through experience, architectural judgment, and hands-on execution. You lead by example, you unblock hard problems, and you set the technical bar for how hardware gets designed and shipped at Aurelius. You'll partner with the founders and the Director of Engineering on architecture and roadmap. You'll work directly alongside mechanical, electrical, power, embedded, and optics engineers on the hardest problems the team is facing. What You'll Own: Architectural direction across the hardware stack from mechanical, electrical, power, to embedded integration Technical decisions on the hardest problems, from concept through production readiness Pattern recognition and technical review like surfacing risk early, and catching what junior engineers miss Handson execution when the problem needs your specific experience to solve fast Design and manufacturing trades across cost, mass, reliability, schedule, and field performance Cross-team judgment when hardware, controls, optics, and software collide Setting the technical bar for design reviews, documentation quality, and release standards Mentorship by example. Engineers should learn from watching you work, not from being managed by you What We're Looking For: 10+ years designing and shipping complex hardware systems Track record taking systems the full development cycle from prototype through manufacturing and deployment Senior IC or technical leadership background at hardware companies that actually shipped Deep technical judgment across at least two of: mechanical, electrical, power electronics, embedded systems Pattern recognition from having built real systems before, especially systems that had to survive real-world conditions Comfort operating as the technical anchor on a small team, not the manager of a large one Nice to Haves: Directed energy, laser, or high-power systems experience Defense or aerospace program experience with MIL-STD or equivalent qualification Founder or founding engineer background at a hardware company Manufacturing depth as-in you've stood up production lines or worked closely with the manufacturers who do Active security clearance or ability to obtain one How You Operate: Extreme bias for action. You'd rather build a prototype tomorrow than model it for a month You characterize your own systems before the field does Comfortable with ambiguity and fast iteration in a startup environment You debug from first principles, not intuition alone Clear communicator across mechanical, electrical, optical, and software teams Self directed. You identify what needs to happen next and do it without being told Why Join Aurelius Systems: Build more in 1 month than most engineers build in 1 year. We field test weekly. Your work goes downrange, not into a filing cabinet. Career velocity is real. At 10 engineers, there are no layers between you and impact. Work on a problem that actually matters. Small cheap drones are changing warfare. Our laser systems are the asymmetric answer - infinite magazine, near zero cost per shot, scalable to every base, border, facility, and truck. Join the densest defense startup ecosystem in the country. California is where the next generation of defense companies are being built. How We Work: Core hours are Monday through Friday, 9 to 6. When we're sprinting toward a demo or field test, the team ramps up - nights, weekends, whatever it takes to ship. When the sprint lands, we ramp down. We don't manufacture intensity for show. Benefits: Competitive salary and equity United Health Care medical, dental, and vision coverage Flexible 18 days PTO plus 5 sick days Travel to field test events and range days Covered daily lunches and office snacks and drinks E-bike and scooter stipend up to $500 Direct access to leadership and real ownership over your work Export Control Notice: This role requires access to export-controlled information or items that require U.S. Person status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a U.S. Person: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Compensation Range: $255K - $305K