Electrical Systems Engineer (Hardware)

What we’re building

Our vision is to electrify all waterborne vessels, and we're starting with electric water sport boats.

Gas boats dominate today’s marine industry not because of great product offerings but because of a lack of better alternatives. Boaters have grown accustomed to vehicles that feel stuck in the 1980s: unreliable, expensive, loud, noxious, and a nightmare to own and operate. They’re also awful for the water and air they reside in.

By contrast, electric boats are superior in nearly every way: not only are they far more reliable and less costly to operate, but they’re also quieter, quicker, and cleaner, with no fumes or pollutants. However, they’ve been held back by both the technology and the talent to make them truly competitive with gas alternatives. That’s Arc’s opportunity.

Using modern, aerospace- and automotive-inspired techniques, we’re building our hulls, batteries, cooling systems, firmware, and software together to deliver the next generation of watercraft.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who’s fired up by our mission and ready to build. You’ll thrive here if you adapt quickly, take ownership, and care about the details.

This is a full-time, on-site role at our Los Angeles headquarters. You’ll report to the manager, Electrical Systems Engineering and work closely with a lean, high-trust team where everyone’s work matters.

Core responsibilities

• Defining system requirements, interfaces, and architecture for Arc’s electrical subsystems.
• Developing and maintaining system diagrams, including I/O maps and electrical/communication topology.
• Leading hardware trade studies and evaluating electrical/HMI components and suppliers.
• Working closely with all engineering teams to ensure cross-domain alignment.
• Participating in system-level integration and validation on full-boat builds.
• Leading troubleshooting for HV/LV systems, cooling systems, sensors, and communication networks.
• Supporting DFMEA activities, functional safety discussions, and design reviews.
• Contributing to next-generation electrical architecture planning and platform scalability.

Basic qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in electrical systems integration, hardware development, or system-level engineering
• Strong understanding of HV/LV electrical systems, power distribution, sensors, cooling systems, and communication networks (e.g., CAN)
• Hands-on experience debugging HV/LV systems, cooling loops, harnesses, and embedded hardware interactions
• Experience developing system requirements, interface definitions, and architectural documentation
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to take ownership of problems, drive them to closure, and adapt quickly in a dynamic environment

Bonus qualifications

• Experience with EMC/EMI pre-compliance testing, certification processes, or external test labs
• Familiarity with functional safety concepts (e.g., hazard analysis, safety goals, fault handling), even if not formal ISO certification work
• Experience with trade studies or vendor evaluations for electrical components, power electronics, or HMI hardware
• Familiarity with EV, marine, robotics, or aerospace electrical architectures
• Experience with simulation or system modeling tools (e.g., Vector, Simulink, PLECS, LTSpice)
• Experience with DFMEA, reliability engineering, or design review processes
• Experience with HMI or user-input devices (joystick, throttle, buttons, panels)
• Familiarity with OBCs, chargers, or HV device integration

At Arc, we encourage diversity and consider all qualified applicants equally for employment, regardless of background, identity, or status. You’re always welcome to reach out even if you don’t meet many of these qualifications. Passion and aptitude make up for a lot.

What we value

We value these five things above all else:

• Ownership over both your work and the company’s success
• Empathy for colleagues and for customers
• Humility in problem solving and collaboration
• Pragmatism for navigating ambiguity quickly and sensibly
• Inclusion of different backgrounds, opinions, cultures, etc.

Given that we work in a sometimes intense or stressful environment, it’s vital that our values align. We’d be happy to elaborate on any or all of these during the interview process.

What you’ll get

• Talented teammates that challenge you to be better
• Access and often input to a wide range of business activities
• Salary P3: $170,000  P4: $190,000
• Semi-annual bonuses tied to impact
• A meaningful equity stake
• An opportunity to have an outsized impact on industry-defining vehicles
• The ability to drive positive environmental change through your work
• Nearly free health insurance (we cover 99%) and a 401k
• Generous parental leave
• Daily lunches, plenty of snacks, lots of swag, and more
• Boat rides!

Hope to hear from you soon!

The crew at Arc