Hardware Systems Engineer

About Zadar Labs
Zadar Labs builds next-generation millimeter-wave radar sensing and perception systems for robotics, industrial automation, automotive, and smart infrastructure. Our platform delivers high-resolution, all-weather perception for physical AI systems operating in environments where traditional sensors fall short.

We work directly with customers deploying real systems in vehicles, robotics platforms, industrial sites, ports, logistics hubs, and other complex operating environments. Our technology ships into production workflows and is evaluated where performance matters immediately.

About the Role
We are seeking a hands-on Hardware Systems Engineer to help design, build, test, and scale Zadar radar products.

This is a high-ownership engineering role spanning PCB design, hardware bring-up, production support, test fixture development, failure analysis, and supplier coordination. You will work closely with electrical, RF, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing, and customer-facing teams to turn cutting edge millimeter-wave radar designs into robust, manufacturable products.

The ideal candidate is a hardware generalist who is comfortable moving between schematic design, lab debugging, production issues, mechanical fixtures, test scripts, and vendor conversations. You do not need to be an expert in every area, but you should be practical, technically curious, detail oriented, and able to drive ambiguous hardware problems to resolution.

This role is based onsite in Campbell, California (5 days/week) and includes occasional international travel supporting customer deployments and production.

Salary Range: $130,000 - $200,000

What You’ll Do
Hardware Design and Product Development
Design and review PCBAs for radar systems, compute modules, and customer support electronics
Work on high-speed interfaces such as MIPI CSI-2, DDR4/5, and Ethernet
Support EMI/EMC testing and global compliance efforts across automotive, industrial, and consumer spaces
Contribute to ruggedized and automotive-oriented designs, including connector selection, grounding, shielding, ESD, EMI, thermal, and mechanical integration considerations
Work with RF engineering teams to support integration of 60 and 77GHz radar front ends, antennas, RF boards, and system-level hardware
Work with vendors and leadership to identify opportunities to keep our hardware on the bleeding edge of performance, including new up-and-coming RF frontends, processors, and other radar-specific technologies

Bring-Up, Debug, and Failure Analysis
Bring up new hardware in the lab. Debug board-level and system-level issues across power, logic, interfaces, firmware interactions, mechanical integration, and environmental stress
Perform root-cause analysis on hardware failures from engineering builds, production, HALT, qualification testing, and customer deployments
Document findings early and drive corrective actions through design, process, supplier, or test improvements

Production Ramp and Manufacturing Support
Support prototype builds, EVT/DVT/PVT builds, and production ramp-up
Work with contract manufacturers, suppliers, and onsite manufacturing to resolve production issues
Help define assembly processes, inspection criteria, rework instructions, and production controls
Support supply chain and component selection decisions, including alternates, lifecycle risk, manufacturability, and cost
Review production data to help improve yield, quality, and repeatability

Test Engineering and Fixtures
Design and build simple electrical and mechanical test fixtures for bring-up, calibration, validation, production, and QC
Develop or modify scripts for automated test, data collection, production screening, and hardware validation
Help define test coverage, pass/fail criteria, and QC processes for radar products
Support calibration and end-of-line test workflows
Help plan, coordinate, and execute environmental and reliability testing, including HALT, thermal cycling, shock/vibe, and other related test activities

What We’re Looking For
Core Requirements
Fast learner with strong technical intuition
BS or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline
Strong hands-on hardware engineering skills
Comfortable working across PCB design, lab debug, production support, and system integration
Ability to work independently in ambiguous environments without rigid playbooks
Strong ownership, attention to detail, and follow-through

Technical Skills
Comfortable with several of the following:
Schematic design and PCB layout review
High-speed digital design and debugging
Signal and power integrity
Embedded systems hardware
Power supply design
Hardware bring-up and lab debugging
Linux-based systems and basic command-line workflows
Python scripting for test automation
Ethernet, MIPI CSI-2, PCIe, SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, and other embedded interfaces
Mechanical design in Solidworks of simple jigs, fixtures, brackets, adapters
Production test, QC processes, and manufacturing documentation

Communication and Ownership
Strong communicator with internal engineering teams, suppliers, contract manufacturers, and test labs
Ability to take ownership and drive issues to resolution independently
Attention to detail and persistence when working through integration challenges
Comfortable coordinating across electrical, RF, mechanical, firmware, software, manufacturing, and operations teams

Logistics
Based in or willing to relocate to Bay Area, CA
Full-time onsite presence at our Campbell, CA headquarters is required (5 days per week)
Occasional domestic or international travel may be required to support manufacturing and customer deployments
Valid passport and US-work authorization required

Growth Opportunity
This is a high-growth role with a path to:
Own major hardware subsystems across Zadar radar products
Grow and scale with hardware productization and ramp-up
Define next-generation radar hardware architectures
Expand into technical leadership across hardware, manufacturing, test, or systems engineering

Strong performance in this role will quickly expand scope and responsibility.

Why Zadar
Work on systems that ship and deploy at global scale
High ownership and direct customer impact
Small, focused team with fast execution
Competitive compensation and meaningful equity
Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/Dependent Care FSA, 401(k)
Daily catered lunch
Free snacks and beverages in office
Corporate housing available upon request
Discounted Bay Club gym membership
Equal Opportunity
Zadar Labs is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive and supportive workplace for all employees.
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