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Systems Hardware Engineer - Hybrid

Seattle, Washington, United States

Our mission is to be the technology backbone for strategic competition against peer adversaries. These missions – including intelligence, information operations, special activities, and perception management – are happening today and their success or failure will determine if we go to war tomorrow.

We've been on the front lines of these missions since 2019, and have grown to support a wide range of missions across all US service branches, multiple combatant commands, partner nations, interagency stakeholders, and the intelligence community. We deploy both hardware and software products to support people on the front lines that span collection, planning / assessments, and effects.

We've grown from $3M in run-rate revenue in 2021 to $80M in run-rate revenue today. We've been profitable since 2022 and have raised $91M in venture capital funding through Series B. We're valued at $1.5B as of 2025.

About the role

The sensing team at Vannevar Labs is building a new hardware product that supports a widespread need for low relative cost, attritable, and easily coordinated sensing. We’re looking for a Systems Hardware Engineer who can take ideas from whiteboard to working systems.

You’ll be the cornerstone Systems Hardware Engineer on the team — setting the tone for how we approach hardware, making key technical decisions, and helping turn rough ideas into robust, field-ready systems. You’ll be part of a cross-functional team of hardware engineers, software engineers, ML specialists, former military officers, and product strategists.

If you’re looking to build products from scratch, solve real-world problems, and have a huge impact from day one — this is your shot.

This is a hybrid role based in Seattle (3 days/week in office).

What you'll do

  • Design and integrate hardware to support sensor-driven systems and enable seamless data integration into downstream products.
  • Build test infrastructure for validation, component qualification, and system integration — and evolve it as we scale.
  • Get hands-on with prototypes and iterate quickly to solve emerging systems and electrical engineering challenges.
  • Work directly with software engineers, ML teams, product strategists, and external vendors to turn ambiguous mission needs into working systems.
  • Push back when needed to protect technical quality, schedules, and improve product outcomes.
  • Guide contract manufacturers and consultants to ensure high-quality deliverables.
  • Travel up to 20% to interface with mission owners, gather real-world feedback, and deliver hardware that works in the field.

What we look for

  • An experienced hardware systems engineer who’s taken products from concept to deployment — ideally in scrappy, ambiguous environments.
  • A builder — comfortable with prototyping, debugging, and iterating across the full hardware stack.
  • A collaborative teammate who communicates well across disciplines and contributes meaningfully to product direction.
  • A self-starter who thrives without rigid structure, brings clarity where there is none, and moves quickly without losing quality.

Must Have Qualifications 

  • Proven experience shipping complex hardware systems end-to-end.
  • 5+ years in embedded systems development with a strong focus on hardware and integration.
  • Familiarity with standard embedded interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, etc.).
  • Skilled in lab techniques, including debugging and testing with multimeters, scopes, and analyzers.
  • Excellent communication skills — written, verbal, and collaborative.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, or related Engineering field.
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Based in the Seattle area or open to relocating.

Nice to Haves

  • Experience with PCB design and board bring-up.
  • Familiarity with tools or languages like Python, Matlab or C/C++ for testing, bring-up, or basic firmware tweaks.
  • Comfort working with or around RF systems
  • Familiarity with field testing of embedded or sensor-based systems.
  • Exposure to software-defined radios and DSP.
  • Prior startup or small-team experience — or a clear appetite for it.

What we offer

The salary range for this position is $160,000 - $210,000 + equity + 401K match. Within the range, individual pay is determined by experience, relevant education, and/or training.

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Unlimited PTO including competitive vacation and holiday schedules
  • Lifestyle stipends - Monthly mental health, wellness & fitness stipend, in-home office setup stipend and family planning assistance 
  • Salary top-up during military reserve duty
  • Fully paid parental leave 
  • Child and pet care reimbursement during travel
 
Vannevar Labs is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.
 
We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply, even if you don't feel like you're a perfect fit. If you're passionate about contributing to our mission, we'd love to hear from you!
 
IMPORTANT NOTICE
We are committed to protecting the privacy of all applicants. Official emails from the company will come from an @vannevarlabs.com domain. Under no circumstances will a legitimate representative from our company contact you to request passwords, financial information, or other sensitive personal data. Please be vigilant of potential scams.

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