Founding Hardware Engineer

Bellhop Labs is hiring its first hardware engineer to own its screenless, voice-first AI hardware from early prototypes through manufacturing. The role includes designing and debugging electronics, building and validating prototypes, preparing for FCC testing, and supporting production and supplier selection.

Responsibilities:

• You will own hardware end-to-end, from early prototypes through manufacturing
• Electronic architecture and component selection
• PCB design and board bring-up
• Microphones, speakers and audio electronics
• Buttons, sensors, LEDs and other physical interfaces
• Power systems
• Embedded hardware
• Prototype assembly and debugging
• Wiring and internal mechanical integration
• Rapid prototyping and 3D printing
• Test fixtures and validation
• DFM and manufacturing
• Working directly with industrial designers and suppliers
• Get up to speed on our current prototype and help lock the enclosure design
• Finalize the parts list and order components, with overseas parts ordered well ahead of Chinese New Year
• Prepare the device for FCC testing and work with the test lab
• Build, assemble and test our first units with the team
• After that, you'll help us choose a contract manufacturer and design the product for production
• As we grow, you'll have the chance to build and lead our hardware team

Requirements:

• Has 4+ years of hands-on hardware/product-development experience
• Is comfortable with soldering, oscilloscopes, multimeters and lab equipment
• Has personally brought PCBs to life
• Can debug problems without waiting for another team
• Enjoys rapidly building and modifying prototypes
• Can operate across disciplines rather than staying inside a narrow specialty
• Writes and speaks clear English
• Is authorized to work in the US
• Wants significant ownership in an early-stage company
• Experience with consumer electronics, embedded systems, audio products, robotics, IoT or electromechanical products is particularly relevant
• So is experience with procurement and sourcing from overseas suppliers, FCC testing and small-batch production
• Experience at a large company is welcome, but we're especially interested in people who have built complete things themselves