We are looking for an Electrical Systems & Automation Design Engineer who bridges the gap between custom hardware design, sensor electronics, and automated manufacturing equipment. This role is built for a physical-world generalist who thrives on both designing custom circuit boards and building, deploying, and debugging custom automation systems on the factory floor.
You will own the board-level hardware from schematic capture, component sourcing, and layout, while simultaneously building custom automated test fixtures, integrating sensors and actuators, and debugging complex edge-case failures directly on the production line.
To apply for this role, please email [email protected] with a note on what project you are most proud to have worked on and apply through the posting here.
Key Responsibilities
Production Schematic & PCB Layout: Own multi-layer PCB layout (2 to 6+ layers) using Altium Designer or KiCad for both product hardware and internal factory automation tooling.
Signal & Power Integrity: Design low-noise analog front-ends, high-speed digital routing, motor drive circuits, power conversion (DC-DC, LDOs), and power management.
EMC/EMI Compliance: Design schematics and board layouts for noise immunity in high-noise factory environments, incorporating ESD protection, isolation, shielding, and filtering from day one.
Vendor Ecosystem Mastery: Evaluate components across major vendors (TI, STMicroelectronics, Analog Devices, Microchip, etc.) balancing performance, cost, footprint, and lead times.
Datasheet Deep Dives: Analyze complex IC datasheets, register maps, pin constraints, thermal limits, and application circuits before committing to a design.
BOM Optimization: Select components with long-term availability and design for second-source equivalents to protect both product delivery and factory uptime.
Automated Equipment & Fixtures: Architect, build, and deploy custom factory automation rigs, automated test equipment (ATE), and smart assembly fixtures to optimize production yield and throughput.
Actuation & Motion Control: Integrate motor drives, pneumatics, linear actuators, optical sensors, safety interlocks, and industrial communications into unified, rugged automation equipment.
- Manufacturing Diagnostics: Write firmware (C/C++) and automation scripts (Python) to drive test fixtures, interface with line sensors, log metric data, and automate line diagnostics.
Production Line Debugging: Serve as the primary technical responder for complex hardware bugs on the shop floor, isolating root causes ranging from electrical issues to systems-level bugs
Bench & Shop Floor Mastery: Utilize oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, bus sniffers, and precision multimeters to diagnose live physical signals on boards and automated rigs.
Fault-Path & Stress Testing: Inject deliberate faults (brownouts, reversed polarity, shorted sensors, stalled buses, ESD strikes) to ensure production equipment fails safely and recovers gracefully.
Passionate about ideating, architecting, and prototyping electrical systems without a documented playbook (datasheets, design notes, etc)
Can make proof-of-concept designs that help the team make decisions about the utility as well as viability of the solution
Qualifications
- Education: B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or equivalent practical experience.
- Portfolio: A portfolio highlighting hardware projects you led from concept to completion, with an emphasis on custom electronics.
- EDA Tool Proficiency: Expert-level capability in Altium Designer, KiCad, or equivalent professional EDA software.
- Automation & Mechatronics Experience: Hands-on experience developing custom automation systems, automated test fixtures, motor controls, or sensor networks for hardware assembly/testing.
- Component Sourcing Track Record: Demonstrated experience reviewing IC availability, building production BOMs, and sourcing equivalent multi-source components.
- Lab & Field Debugging: High comfort level working with bench top instruments (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers) and diagnosing live hardware on a manufacturing line.
- Embedded & Automation Software: Proficiency in C/C++ for hardware bring-up and microcontrollers (STM32, ESP32, etc.), and Python for test automation and data logging.
- The Maker Mindset: A track record of hands-on builds custom CNCs, 3D printers, DIY robotics, or automated lab setups demonstrating deep technical curiosity
Skills Required
- B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or equivalent practical experience
- Portfolio highlighting hardware projects led from concept to completion, especially custom electronics
- Expert-level proficiency in Altium Designer, KiCad, or equivalent professional EDA software
- Hands-on experience developing custom automation systems, automated test fixtures, motor controls, or sensor networks for hardware assembly or testing
- Experience reviewing IC availability, building production BOMs, and sourcing equivalent multi-source components
- Comfort using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other bench instruments to diagnose live hardware on manufacturing lines
- Proficiency in C/C++ for hardware bring-up and microcontrollers such as STM32 or ESP32
- Proficiency in Python for test automation and data logging
- Hands-on custom builds such as CNC machines, 3D printers, DIY robotics, or automated laboratory setups
What We Do
REEKON Tools is a Boston-based technology company specializing in the development of innovative hardware and software solutions for the construction industry. The company creates digital measuring and data capture tools designed to streamline operations, maximize efficiency, and reduce errors on jobsites. By integrating modern technology with traditional fabrication tools, REEKON Tools aims to digitize the built world and upgrade professional construction workflows.
