Hardware Engineering - Hardware Engineer IV

Title: Prototyping Engineer IV
Location: Redmond, WA (Onsite)
Duration: 12+ Months

TOP MUST HAVEs:

• Hands-on hardware prototyping and systems integration experience with demonstrated ability to independently build and debug multi-disciplinary systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proficiency with electrical debugging tools (multimeter, oscilloscope, logic analyzer) and software debugging tools (adb, serial consoles, log analysis).
• Cross-disciplinary knowledge spanning mechanical, electrical, and software systems with ability to integrate subsystems and troubleshoot interface issues.

Preferred:

• Experience with AR/VR display systems, optical alignment, or metrology.
• Scripting/programming ability (Python, C/C++, shell) for test automation, data collection, or embedded systems work.
• Experience with PCB rework, schematic reading, and firmware debugging environments.

Description:

• Client is seeking a Prototyping Engineer to join our Advanced Development Team.
• The ideal candidate is a self-starter who thrives in ambiguity, takes initiative to identify gaps in systems and processes, and builds solutions from the ground up.
• They are someone who is naturally curious and fine tinkering with a number of components.
• This role requires a versatile engineer with a working understanding of mechanical, electrical, and software systems who can smoothly integrate various subsystems into functional prototypes.
• The position involves hands-on building, working together with AI tools, debugging, and iterating on prototype hardware systems for next-generation AR/VR devices.
• A portion of the role will also involve developing, maintaining, and refining AI workflows that improve efficiency and increase impact.

 
Responsibilities:
? Independently identify technical gaps and take initiative to design, build, and integrate
multi-disciplinary prototype systems spanning mechanical, electrical, and software domains.
? Integrate and validate subsystems (optical, electrical, mechanical, firmware) into cohesive
prototype assemblies, ensuring proper communication and functionality across interfaces.
? Debug hardware and firmware issues using lab instrumentation including multimeters,
oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and power supplies to isolate root causes at the electrical level.
? Perform software-level debugging through tools such as adb, serial consoles, and log analysis
to troubleshoot embedded systems and device firmware.
? Develop GUIs and streamline bring-up processes with AI practices.
? Develop and maintain test fixtures, jigs, and custom tooling to support prototype builds,
alignment, and validation.
? Collaborate cross-functionally with optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to
translate research concepts into working prototype hardware.
? Develop and document assembly processes, integration procedures, and debug workflows to
enable repeatable prototype builds.
? Proactively identify risks and propose solutions during prototype bring-up, driving issues to
resolution with minimal oversight.
? Support AR display system hardware integration and process development, including optical
alignment, metrology, and functional testing.
? Leverage AI methods for data analysis, data visualization, and process development.
? Develop AI model skills and recipes
? Design, develop, and maintain multi-agent AI infrastructure and automated data pipelines.
? Integrate AI agents with enterprise platforms using APIs and serverless platforms.
? Collaborate with cross-functional teams (product, design, operations, infrastructure) to build
innovative AI-native application experiences.
? Build and integrate LLM / generative AI capabilities into product surfaces, including prompt
engineering, structured prompting, and context management.
? Troubleshoot display hardware and firmware/software issues.

Minimum Qualifications

• 6+ years of hands-on experience in hardware prototyping, systems integration, or lab engineering, OR a relevant advanced degree + 3 years equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a self-starter: identifying problems, proposing solutions, and driving projects forward with minimal direction.
• Working knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, and software) with the ability to understand how subsystems interact.
• Proficiency with electrical debug tools including multimeters, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers for signal integrity and power analysis.
• Experience with embedded systems debugging using tools such as adb, UART/serial consoles, JTAG, or similar interfaces.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with hardware, firmware, and software teams to deliver integrated prototype systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AR/VR or display system prototyping, including optical alignment and metrology.
• Familiarity with PCB design review, schematic reading, and basic soldering/rework for prototype modification.
• Experience with scripting or automation (Python, shell scripting) to support test, data collection, or process automation.
• Experience with test/debug automation 
• Experience with latest AI tooling (eg: Claude, Codex, Gemini, etc.)
• Hands-on experience with mechanical assembly, including torque-sensitive and precision-alignment operations.
• Familiarity with firmware development environments, embedded Linux, or RTOS-based systems.
• Experience building and maintaining lab infrastructure, test systems, or custom instrumentation.

 
 
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 80.00/daily.