Hardware Prototyping & Lab Lead

At Sonatus, we’re driving the transformation to AI-enabled software-defined vehicles. Traditional automotive software methods can’t keep pace with consumer expectations shaped by the mobile industry—where features evolve rapidly, update seamlessly, and improve continuously. That’s why leading OEMs trust Sonatus to accelerate this shift. Our technology is already in production across more than 6 million vehicles on the road today and rapidly expanding.

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, with 250+ employees worldwide, Sonatus combines the agility of a fast-growing company with the scale and impact of an established partner. Backed by strong funding and proven by global deployment, we’re solving some of the most interesting and complex challenges in the industry. Join us and help redefine what’s possible as we shape the future of mobility.

As our Hardware Prototyping & Lab Lead, you will be the cornerstone of the physical engineering environment where the future of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV) comes to life. While Sonatus is a software-first company, our breakthrough technology requires a world-class hardware foundation to bridge the gap between code and the road.

You won't just be managing a lab; you’ll be a critical enabler for our engineering teams, ensuring they have the infrastructure, prototypes, and technical support needed to deploy AI-enabled software into vehicles worldwide. This role offers the unique opportunity to blend administrative leadership with deep hands-on technical execution, managing the transition of high-precision diagnostic tools and gateways from prototype to specialized, low-volume production. Given the highly collaborative and physical nature of our engineering labs, this role is 100% onsite at our Sunnyvale headquarters. You will report directly to our Senior Manager of Hardware Engineering.

Highlights & Learning Opportunities:

• Scale the Future of SDV: Play a hands-on role in supporting prototypes that are redefining automotive architecture and rapid feature evolution.
• Multi-Disciplinary Impact: Bridge the gap between hardware, software, and QA by collaborating across teams to solve complex integration challenges.
• Lead Lab Innovation: Take full ownership of procurement and lab infrastructure, evolving our Sunnyvale headquarters into a state-of-the-art hardware development hub.
• Deepen Technical Mastery: Enhance your expertise in failure analysis, custom harness design, and automation-integrated testing within a Linux-based environment.

Roles & Responsibilities

Lab Administration & Operations:

• End-to-End Lab Management: Oversee the organization, inventory, and lifecycle management of all lab equipment, electronic components, and consumable supplies.
• Infrastructure Excellence: Lead the procurement, installation, and optimization of lab infrastructure to meet evolving engineering needs.
• Compliance & Maintenance: Coordinate the rigorous calibration, maintenance, and repair schedules for specialized test equipment.
• Operational Support: Manage the Engineering Hardware Lab Jira ticketing system to prioritize and resolve technical requests efficiently.

Prototype Development & Specialized Production:

• Low-Volume Production Support: Execute programming for critical devices (CPLDs, Flash, EEPROMs) and perform mechanical integration for specialized system builds.
• Harness Architecture & Design: Translate system-level block diagrams into detailed wiring schematics and harness drawings, including connector selection, pin-out definitions, and wire gauge calculations for power and high-speed data.
• Functional Validation: Perform comprehensive functional testing and mechanical integration for early-stage prototypes and low-volume production units.
• Root Cause Analysis: Conduct deep-dive debugging and failure analysis on non-functional units to drive design and manufacturing improvements.
• Custom Interconnects: Design and fabricate custom cable harnesses and specialized wiring solutions for vehicle integration and diagnostic testing.
• Automation Synergy: Utilize and interpret code/scripts from QA automation to streamline testing processes within a Linux-based environment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Engineering Partnership: Act as a key technical collaborator for hardware, software, and QA engineers on complex development tasks.
• Environment Stewardship: Ensure a safe, orderly, and highly productive hardware lab environment that reflects Sonatus’ high standards.

Requirements

• Proven Expertise: Extensive experience in hardware lab management and technical support, ideally within a fast-paced R&D or development environment.
• Harness Design Expertise: Proven experience using CAD or specialized wiring tools (e.g., RapidHarness, Visio, or AutoCAD Electrical) to design complex automotive or aerospace cable assemblies.
• Technical Literacy: Advanced ability to read and interpret complex schematics and high-density PCB layouts.
• Hands-on Debugging: Expert-level proficiency in electronic test and debug using DMMs, oscilloscopes, and regulated power supplies.
• Networking Fundamentals: Solid understanding of basic networking concepts, including LANs, subnets, TCP/IP, and automotive interconnect standards (1000baseT1 & CAN).
• Software Fluency: Familiarity with coding concepts and the ability to navigate Linux environments and read basic scripts.
• Physical Capability: Ability to lift and move equipment up to 25 pounds.

Benefits Offered:

• Competitive compensation and equity program
• Health care plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Flexible and Dependent Care Expense program
• Retirement plan (401k)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Unlimited paid time off per year, 15 paid holidays
• Hybrid office work arrangement/flexibility

Perk Offerings include:

• Complimentary lunches, snacks, and beverages during on-site working days
• Wellness benefit allowances (towards gym membership and fitness programs)
• Internet reimbursement
• Computer Accessory Allowance

Employee Engagement Offerings:

• Departmental team building and outings
• Employee Referral Program
• Culture/Employee Satisfaction Surveys - Feedback matters!