The Role
Integrates and validates vehicle subsystems including sensors, controllers, and actuators. Develops test plans and procedures, documents results, diagnoses hardware/software issues, and leads cross-disciplinary root-cause investigations through resolution. The role supports engineering builds and field troubleshooting, requiring hands-on hardware bring-up, communication protocol debugging, electrical test equipment, Python automation, and technical collaboration across electrical, embedded software, and controls teams.
Summary Generated by Built In
Overview
Lightship is the first American all-electric recreational vehicle manufacturer currently developing an aerodynamic, battery-powered trailer for the electric age. As the macro transition to an all-electric transportation ecosystem accelerates, Lightship is bringing the increased convenience and superior performance that electrification offers to a pastime enjoyed by over 11 million American families.
Honoring Diverse Perspectives
Lightship is committed to hiring and developing top talent from diverse backgrounds. We believe representing and supporting diverse groups is key to the success of our team members, customers, shareholders and the achievement of our mission and vision. We operate in a collaborative environment with a flat organizational structure and expect a high degree of integrity, autonomy and creativity from all members of the team.
About the Role
Lightship’s mission to modernize and electrify RVs demands building cutting edge electronics and controls.
As a Senior Hardware/Software Integration Engineer, you will work hands-on with vehicle hardware and software to bring new components and features to life, troubleshoot complex issues, and ensure systems function reliably together. You will collaborate closely with electrical, embedded software, controls, and other engineering teams to integrate and validate vehicle subsystems, investigate issues across hardware and software boundaries, and drive problems through resolution. The ideal candidate is a resourceful, self-directed engineer who enjoys hands-on problem-solving, communicates effectively across disciplines, and thrives in a fast-paced development environment.
Responsibilities
- Integrate and validate vehicle subsystems, including sensors, controllers, and actuators.
- Lead development and execution of integration and validation test plans with subsystem owners.
- Develop and maintain test procedures and document results to support repeatability and traceability.
- Clearly document and communicate technical issues, including diagnostic data, to support efficient resolution.
- Lead cross-disciplinary troubleshooting and root-cause investigations, including engineering fleet issues, and drive fixes with the responsible teams.
- Travel up to 20% to support engineering builds and troubleshooting in the field
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in hardware/software integration, hardware bring-up, and troubleshooting of electromechanical systems
- Experience debugging communication protocols, including CAN and UART.
- Proficiency with electrical test equipment, including multimeters and oscilloscopes.
- Ability to read electrical schematics and datasheets.
- Experience writing Python for testing, automation, or diagnostics.
- Experience using command-line tools for software debugging and system diagnostics.
- Strong technical documentation and cross-functional communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leveraging AI tooling to accelerate scripting and tool development
- Experience with automotive electrical systems, including high-voltage systems and vehicle networks.
- Ability to read and reason about embedded C/C++ for debugging.
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and automation.
- Experience with hardware prototyping, building test fixtures, and wiring harnesses.
- Familiarity with Git and software development workflows.
- Experience with technical vendor management during development cycles
Employee Benefits & Philosophy - Applies to Full Time Employees only
- Healthcare, Dental, Vision
- 401k
- Flexible Paid Time Off - that we actually want you to use!
- 13 Company Holidays: 8 throughout the year + the company observes a week of scheduled downtime during the end of the year, allowing all employees to enjoy a break
- 12 weeks paid parental leave
- Yearly LightTrip stipend for an RV trip &/or professional development opportunities
Lightship offers all of its full time employees and their dependents full benefits including health, dental and vision insurance. We are on a mission to create a more healthful all-electric experience for a pastime that millions of families enjoy and believe strongly that our team should not have to worry about quality healthcare for themselves or their loved ones along the way.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in hardware/software integration, hardware bring-up, and electromechanical systems troubleshooting
- Experience debugging CAN and UART communication protocols
- Proficiency with multimeters and oscilloscopes
- Ability to read electrical schematics and datasheets
- Experience writing Python for testing, automation, or diagnostics
- Experience using command-line tools for software debugging and system diagnostics
- Strong technical documentation and cross-functional communication skills
- Experience using AI tooling to accelerate scripting and tool development
- Experience with automotive electrical systems, high-voltage systems, and vehicle networks
- Ability to read and reason about embedded C/C++ for debugging
- Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing and automation
- Experience with hardware prototyping, test fixtures, and wiring harnesses
- Familiarity with Git and software development workflows
- Experience with technical vendor management during development cycles
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The Company
What We Do
Lightship is an early-stage hardware startup launched in 2020 by Tesla alumni that is bringing the $26B recreational vehicle industry into the electric age. Based in San Francisco and Broomfield, Colorado, Lightship is designing and producing an aerodynamic, battery-powered trailer that liberates travelers from the noise, emissions, and range anxiety of gas RVing
