HA
Electrical Engineer
Accepting applicationsHop Aero · Orange, CA
Full-Time Mid_senior AnalogC++EthernetFPGAI2C
Posted
9h ago
Category
Test
Experience
Mid_senior
Country
United States
About the company
Hop Aero is a venture-backed startup building the physical internet. Our mission is to enable resilient global logistics to protect and improve our way of life.
Hop Aero's founding team has founded aerospace companies, taken hardware to orbit, launched 20+ Falcon 9s at SpaceX, and led engineering across some of the world's most advanced aerospace programs. We are well-capitalized with strong venture backing and active government contracts.
We are a lean aerospace startup looking for an Electrical / Embedded Systems Engineer who is comfortable working across the full electronics development pipeline. This is not a narrow “stay in your lane” role. We need someone who can move between hardware, firmware, sensors, power systems, communications, test setups, wiring, prototyping, debugging, and system integration as needed.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on generalist: someone who has built real things, solved messy integration problems, and is comfortable learning unfamiliar tools or technologies quickly to get the job done.
Degrees, certifications, and grades are less important to us than demonstrated ability. We care most about projects, prototypes, systems you have built, and your ability to think through problems from concept to working hardware.
What You’ll Work On
You may be involved in designing, building, testing, and integrating electronics for aerospace systems, including:
Embedded control systems
Flight computers or vehicle control electronics
Sensor systems and data acquisition
Power distribution and power management
Battery systems, regulators, relays, solenoids, valves, and actuator control
RF communication systems and telemetry
Wiring harnesses, connectors, grounding, shielding, and physical integration
PCB design, board bring-up, and prototype electronics
Firmware and software for microcontrollers, SBCs, FPGAs, or custom test hardware
Ground support equipment, test stands, and lab automation
Data transmission, logging, and real-time monitoring systems
Debugging hardware/software problems at the system level
This role will likely involve both design work and hands-on build/testing work. You should be comfortable at a desk, at a bench, and around physical hardware.
We’re Looking For Someone Who
Has a background in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Software Engineering with hardware experience, or a closely related field
Ideally has at least a bachelor’s degree, though equivalent hands-on experience and strong project work can matter more
Is comfortable being a generalist across electronics, embedded systems, controls, power, communications, and integration
Has built real systems, not just completed coursework
Can design from scratch, integrate commercial components, or modify existing systems to make something work
Is comfortable soldering, wiring, testing, debugging, and building prototypes
Can read datasheets, wiring diagrams, schematics, and technical documentation
Can learn quickly when faced with unfamiliar components, tools, protocols, or design challenges
Is willing to take ownership of ambiguous technical problems
Can work in a lean startup environment where priorities shift and solutions need to be practical, not perfect
Understands that aerospace hardware requires care, documentation, testing, and disciplined engineering judgment
Project Experience We Value
We are especially interested in candidates who have built or worked on projects such as:
Custom flight computers
Drones, UAVs, RC aircraft, RC cars, robots, or autonomous vehicles
Sensor packages, telemetry systems, or data acquisition systems
Custom PCB design and board bring-up
FPGA projects
Embedded Linux, Raspberry Pi, Jetson, Arduino, Teensy, STM32, ESP32, or similar platforms
Motor control, actuator control, valve control, or relay control systems
RF systems, radio telemetry, LoRa, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NRF24, HC-12, CC1101, or similar communication hardware
Power systems, battery management, voltage regulation, current protection, or power distribution
Wiring harnesses, connectorized systems, and physically integrated electronics
Control loops, PID control, state machines, or basic real-time control systems
Custom communication protocols or implementation of protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, USB, or RS-485
Low-level programming, assembly language, bootloaders, or custom hardware interfaces
Test stands, lab automation, instrumentation, or hardware-in-the-loop systems
Personal projects, school projects, research projects, competition projects, open-source work, and independent builds all count. We would rather see a working prototype you built yourself than a perfect resume with no hands-on experience.
Useful Skills
You do not need to be an expert in all of these, but experience with several is valuable:
Circuit design and electronics prototyping
PCB design tools such as KiCad, Altium, Eagle, or similar
Embedded C/C++, Python, or Rust
Microcontrollers and single-board computers
FPGA development using Verilog, VHDL, or related tools
Sensor integration and calibration
Analog and digital electronics
Power electronics and power distribution
Battery systems and voltage regulation
RF communication and telemetry
Wiring harness design and fabrication
Soldering, crimping, connector assembly, and bench debugging
Oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, power supplies, and signal generators
Control systems and basic robotics
Data logging, telemetry dashboards, and test automation
CAD awareness for packaging electronics into mechanical systems
Aerospace, robotics, automotive, or high-reliability hardware development
Mindset
This role is best for someone who enjoys building things from the ground up. You should be the kind of person who can be given a rough objective, research what is needed, design a path forward, build a prototype, test it, break it, fix it, document it, and improve it.
We value people who are curious, practical, self-directed, and comfortable working through uncertainty. In a startup environment, there may not always be a perfect spec, a complete process, or someone who already knows the answer. We need someone who can figure things out while still being thoughtful, safe, and disciplined.
Nice to Have
Aerospace, rocketry, drones, robotics, automotive, or defense-related experience
Experience with flight hardware, test stands, telemetry, or vehicle electronics
Experience working around pressurized systems, propulsion systems, or high-energy test environments
Experience designing electronics for vibration, thermal, EMI/EMC, or harsh environments
Experience with documentation, requirements, test plans, and failure analysis
Experience taking hardware from prototype to more reliable production-ready designs
What to Submit
Please include:
Resume or summary of experience
Portfolio, GitHub, project photos, videos, writeups, or documentation
Examples of systems you personally designed, built, programmed, wired, tested, or debugged
A short explanation of one technical project you are proud of, including what you built, what went wrong, and how you solved it
We are not looking for someone who only knows theory. We are looking for someone who can build, test, troubleshoot, and learn quickly while helping develop real aerospace hardware.
Show more Show less
Hop Aero is a venture-backed startup building the physical internet. Our mission is to enable resilient global logistics to protect and improve our way of life.
Hop Aero's founding team has founded aerospace companies, taken hardware to orbit, launched 20+ Falcon 9s at SpaceX, and led engineering across some of the world's most advanced aerospace programs. We are well-capitalized with strong venture backing and active government contracts.
We are a lean aerospace startup looking for an Electrical / Embedded Systems Engineer who is comfortable working across the full electronics development pipeline. This is not a narrow “stay in your lane” role. We need someone who can move between hardware, firmware, sensors, power systems, communications, test setups, wiring, prototyping, debugging, and system integration as needed.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on generalist: someone who has built real things, solved messy integration problems, and is comfortable learning unfamiliar tools or technologies quickly to get the job done.
Degrees, certifications, and grades are less important to us than demonstrated ability. We care most about projects, prototypes, systems you have built, and your ability to think through problems from concept to working hardware.
What You’ll Work On
You may be involved in designing, building, testing, and integrating electronics for aerospace systems, including:
Embedded control systems
Flight computers or vehicle control electronics
Sensor systems and data acquisition
Power distribution and power management
Battery systems, regulators, relays, solenoids, valves, and actuator control
RF communication systems and telemetry
Wiring harnesses, connectors, grounding, shielding, and physical integration
PCB design, board bring-up, and prototype electronics
Firmware and software for microcontrollers, SBCs, FPGAs, or custom test hardware
Ground support equipment, test stands, and lab automation
Data transmission, logging, and real-time monitoring systems
Debugging hardware/software problems at the system level
This role will likely involve both design work and hands-on build/testing work. You should be comfortable at a desk, at a bench, and around physical hardware.
We’re Looking For Someone Who
Has a background in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Software Engineering with hardware experience, or a closely related field
Ideally has at least a bachelor’s degree, though equivalent hands-on experience and strong project work can matter more
Is comfortable being a generalist across electronics, embedded systems, controls, power, communications, and integration
Has built real systems, not just completed coursework
Can design from scratch, integrate commercial components, or modify existing systems to make something work
Is comfortable soldering, wiring, testing, debugging, and building prototypes
Can read datasheets, wiring diagrams, schematics, and technical documentation
Can learn quickly when faced with unfamiliar components, tools, protocols, or design challenges
Is willing to take ownership of ambiguous technical problems
Can work in a lean startup environment where priorities shift and solutions need to be practical, not perfect
Understands that aerospace hardware requires care, documentation, testing, and disciplined engineering judgment
Project Experience We Value
We are especially interested in candidates who have built or worked on projects such as:
Custom flight computers
Drones, UAVs, RC aircraft, RC cars, robots, or autonomous vehicles
Sensor packages, telemetry systems, or data acquisition systems
Custom PCB design and board bring-up
FPGA projects
Embedded Linux, Raspberry Pi, Jetson, Arduino, Teensy, STM32, ESP32, or similar platforms
Motor control, actuator control, valve control, or relay control systems
RF systems, radio telemetry, LoRa, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NRF24, HC-12, CC1101, or similar communication hardware
Power systems, battery management, voltage regulation, current protection, or power distribution
Wiring harnesses, connectorized systems, and physically integrated electronics
Control loops, PID control, state machines, or basic real-time control systems
Custom communication protocols or implementation of protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, USB, or RS-485
Low-level programming, assembly language, bootloaders, or custom hardware interfaces
Test stands, lab automation, instrumentation, or hardware-in-the-loop systems
Personal projects, school projects, research projects, competition projects, open-source work, and independent builds all count. We would rather see a working prototype you built yourself than a perfect resume with no hands-on experience.
Useful Skills
You do not need to be an expert in all of these, but experience with several is valuable:
Circuit design and electronics prototyping
PCB design tools such as KiCad, Altium, Eagle, or similar
Embedded C/C++, Python, or Rust
Microcontrollers and single-board computers
FPGA development using Verilog, VHDL, or related tools
Sensor integration and calibration
Analog and digital electronics
Power electronics and power distribution
Battery systems and voltage regulation
RF communication and telemetry
Wiring harness design and fabrication
Soldering, crimping, connector assembly, and bench debugging
Oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, power supplies, and signal generators
Control systems and basic robotics
Data logging, telemetry dashboards, and test automation
CAD awareness for packaging electronics into mechanical systems
Aerospace, robotics, automotive, or high-reliability hardware development
Mindset
This role is best for someone who enjoys building things from the ground up. You should be the kind of person who can be given a rough objective, research what is needed, design a path forward, build a prototype, test it, break it, fix it, document it, and improve it.
We value people who are curious, practical, self-directed, and comfortable working through uncertainty. In a startup environment, there may not always be a perfect spec, a complete process, or someone who already knows the answer. We need someone who can figure things out while still being thoughtful, safe, and disciplined.
Nice to Have
Aerospace, rocketry, drones, robotics, automotive, or defense-related experience
Experience with flight hardware, test stands, telemetry, or vehicle electronics
Experience working around pressurized systems, propulsion systems, or high-energy test environments
Experience designing electronics for vibration, thermal, EMI/EMC, or harsh environments
Experience with documentation, requirements, test plans, and failure analysis
Experience taking hardware from prototype to more reliable production-ready designs
What to Submit
Please include:
Resume or summary of experience
Portfolio, GitHub, project photos, videos, writeups, or documentation
Examples of systems you personally designed, built, programmed, wired, tested, or debugged
A short explanation of one technical project you are proud of, including what you built, what went wrong, and how you solved it
We are not looking for someone who only knows theory. We are looking for someone who can build, test, troubleshoot, and learn quickly while helping develop real aerospace hardware.
Show more Show less