Principal Hardware Engineer / Director of Hardware

What You Will Do

• Lead hardware engineering throughout product lifecycle from concept to production
• Manage domestic and offshore manufacturing operations
• Oversee and validate ODM designs to meet Arable’s quality standards
• Develop technical documentation for designs, testing, and support
• Lead prototyping efforts for new hardware products and features
• Participate in product validation and testing with QA teams
• Collaborate with product management, software, operations, and customer success
• Manage key vendor relationships and component selection
• Coordinate bug tracking and resolution for hardware issues
• Support manufacturing test fixtures and processes
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, helping to influence technology direction and build long-term organizational capability

What you bring: Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
• 6+ years of hardware engineering experience with full PCB design lifecycle
• Proficiency with schematic capture, PCB layout, and board bring-up, and lab equipment
• Knowledge of regulatory testing (FCC, CE) and NPI processes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Self-starter who works well in fast-paced environments
• Excellent communication and organizational skills

Preferred

• Advanced technical degree
• 8+ years bringing multiple hardware products to mass production
• Experience managing or collaborating with offshore teams
• Knowledge of C programming for embedded systems
• Wireless product design (WiFi, BLE, cellular) and/or RTOS experience
• Background in agricultural or environmental sensor technology
• Prior experience building and leading engineering initiatives, teams, or processes
• Expertise in low-power system design, particularly for solar-powered and battery-powered devices

Qualities for Success

• Passion for Sustainability: Care deeply about global food systems and environmental impact
• Startup Mindset: Thrive in fast-paced environments with multiple responsibilities
• Technical Leadership: Ownership of projects and influence on technology roadmap
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Effective communication across different teams
• Resourcefulness: Design cost-effective solutions and troubleshoot in field
• Adaptability: Stay current with emerging technologies and navigate new challenges
• Leadership Potential: Ability to inspire, mentor, and elevate peers and partners