Senior Hardware Design Engineer, RF/Analog

Elexoft is seeking a Senior Hardware Engineer to advance the design of an automotive-grade circuit board from its current schematic and layout stage to a fully manufacturable product. This role involves much more than typical PCB layout work; the board integrates an RF transmitter that must function through rubber and steel belt reinforcement, a battery, and a sensing chip designed to endure sustained heat and continuous mechanical stress from a rotating tire. The final product must meet stringent automotive reliability standards rather than consumer electronics benchmarks.

Key Responsibilities
- Take full ownership of schematic capture and PCB layout for a compact, battery-powered sensor board incorporating integrated automotive pressure, temperature, and RF sensing chips.
- Design and validate the RF antenna matching network, including conducting real-world range testing on actual tires rather than relying solely on bench tests.
- Select and specify passive components, board substrates, and potting or encapsulation materials capable of continuous operation up to 150°C, while addressing mechanical flexing and centrifugal forces unique to wheel-mounted electronics.
- Perform design rule checks and manufacturing reviews prior to prototype orders, collaborating closely with fabrication and assembly partners during prototype and pilot phases.
- Lead board bring-up activities, including functional testing against known good references, firmware flashing support, and sensor calibration using reference standards.
- Work directly from component datasheets, resolving sourcing and pinout verification issues, especially when documentation is incomplete or requires distributor access.
- Prepare designs for transition from prototype to production with an IATF 16949 certified manufacturer once finalized.

Required Qualifications
- A degree in electrical or electronics engineering or equivalent hands-on experience.
- Proven expertise in RF PCB design, including impedance control, antenna matching, trace routing, and grounding/shielding techniques. Candidates must be able to explain past RF layout decisions on real projects.
- Familiarity with IPC 2221 standards for board design and an understanding of IPC A-610 Class 3 requirements for automotive-grade assembly acceptance.
- Experience designing for harsh environments involving thermal cycling, vibration, potting or conformal coating, and low duty cycle battery-powered operation.
- Ability to work confidently with real datasheets, identifying gaps and avoiding assumptions, especially when documentation is restricted or incomplete.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills to collaborate directly with company founders and client stakeholders.

Other Technical Skills
- Hands-on bench validation skills using oscilloscopes, vector network analyzers for RF tuning, spectrum analyzers for pre-compliance emissions checks, and power analyzers or precision multimeters for current draw and battery life validation.
- Awareness of EMC and RF pre-compliance requirements such as FCC Part 15 and CE standards to identify potential emissions issues early.
- Basic firmware and embedded systems literacy to coordinate hardware decisions with firmware developers, particularly regarding power management and sampling strategies.
- Practical experience working with contract manufacturers through fabrication and assembly phases, ensuring manufacturability and quality.
- Strong datasheet literacy for MEMS and sensor ICs, with the ability to detect undocumented pin behavior or missing specifications.
- An accelerated life testing mindset, including designing and conducting thermal cycling or vibration tests on early prototypes.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits
- Prior experience with Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), automotive sensor modules, or electronics mounted on rotating or flexing surfaces.
- Experience managing the transition of a board from prototype to production with an IATF 16949 certified manufacturer.
- Familiarity with lithium thionyl chloride or similar primary battery chemistries used in long-life, low-power automotive sensors.

This position offers true ownership of the hardware product lifecycle—from schematic decisions and component trade-offs to manufacturing collaboration and field testing. It is ideal for engineers seeking a challenging role where their expertise directly impacts a robust, automotive-grade product.