Electrical Engineer, Hardware

About Subsense

Subsense is a deep-tech company developing the world’s first non-surgical, bidirectional brain-computer interface powered by plasmonic and magnetoelectric nanoparticles. Our mission is to unlock direct communication between the human brain and AI - starting with medical applications such as stroke recovery and moving toward cognitive enhancement for healthy users. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Subsense brings together leading scientists and engineers to redefine the future of human–machine interaction.

The Opportunity

Design, develop, and integrate electronics and hardware for emerging neurotechnology, biotechnology, and medical-device systems. You will contribute to the development of experimental platforms, proof-of-concept devices, data acquisition systems, and integrated hardware supporting a range of research and development activities. Projects may involve electronics for optical, magnetic, sensing, and other biomedical technologies as technical needs evolve.

This role offers an opportunity for an early-career engineer to gain hands-on experience across electrical engineering, biomedical instrumentation, and multidisciplinary system development. You will work on hardware from initial concepts and circuit designs through prototyping, integration, characterization, and testing, with opportunities to independently develop electrical subsystems and experimental solutions.

Working closely with specialists in engineering, neuroscience, biology, and software, you will help translate experimental requirements into functional hardware systems. The ideal candidate is curious, enjoys building and troubleshooting physical systems, and has a strong interest in applying engineering principles to biotechnology, biomedical research, and neurotechnology.

What You'll Own

• Assist engineers with the assembly, integration, and testing of electronic circuits and hardware prototypes for biomedical instrumentation and neurotechnology applications.
• Build and modify circuits, cables, and test assemblies using schematics, wiring diagrams, and team guidance, including soldering, component installation, and basic rework.
• Support PCB bring-up and debugging by performing initial checks, taking measurements, recording results, and helping investigate issues.
• Assist with schematic updates, circuit simulation, component research, and straightforward PCB layout tasks under engineering supervision.
• Help set up and operate data acquisition systems, including connecting sensors, configuring equipment, and checking acquired signals.
• Support the integration of sensors, actuators, power supplies, embedded controllers, and other components into team-developed experimental platforms.
• Write or modify small scripts for instrument control, data collection, and test automation using existing code, examples, and team guidance.
• Perform electrical measurements using oscilloscopes, multimeters, function generators, and bench power supplies, following established procedures.
• Help troubleshoot circuit and system issues, document observations, and work with engineers to identify next steps.
• Apply basic signal analysis and filtering techniques to review measurement quality and help identify noise or unexpected behavior.
• Assist with the assembly and modification of fixtures, enclosures, mounts, and other mechanical components used in laboratory setups.
• Maintain clear records of hardware configurations, wiring, test procedures, measurements, and changes to support repeatable experiments.
• Follow laboratory safety practices and team procedures for handling, powering, and testing electronic hardware.
• Participate in design reviews and team discussions, communicate progress and questions, and incorporate feedback into your work.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline with coursework in electronics.
• 0–2 years of relevant experience. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply. Coursework, academic research, internships, laboratory work, and personal projects all count as relevant experience.
• Foundational understanding of circuit analysis, analog and digital electronics, and basic electronic components.
• Hands-on experience assembling and testing circuits through coursework, laboratory work, or projects.
• Basic ability to read circuit schematics and use common laboratory equipment, such as multimeters and oscilloscopes.
• Some experience with soldering, wiring, or electronic assembly, and a willingness to develop these skills.
• Basic programming experience in Python, C, or C++, with a willingness to learn tools used for hardware control and data acquisition.
• A methodical approach to troubleshooting, including taking measurements, recording observations, and asking for guidance when needed.
• Ability to follow test procedures, maintain clear technical notes, and communicate results and questions.
• Willingness to learn from feedback and work collaboratively with engineers and scientists from different backgrounds.
• Interest in biomedical engineering, biotechnology, neurotechnology, or scientific instrumentation.

Nice to have

• Exposure to schematic capture, circuit simulation, or PCB layout tools through coursework or projects.
• Experience with microcontrollers, development boards, or basic embedded programming.
• Familiarity with communication interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, or USB.
• Experience using Python to collect, plot, or analyze experimental data.
• Exposure to sensors, signal conditioning, data acquisition, or basic signal processing.
• Experience with 3D CAD, 3D printing, or assembling mechanical fixtures and enclosures.
• Introductory knowledge of optics, electromagnetics, bioelectrical signals, or biomedical instrumentation.
• Familiarity with version control or collaborative technical documentation.
• Academic research, internships, or personal projects involving electronics, robotics, biomedical devices, or laboratory equipment.
• These are helpful starting points, not expectations that you have experience in every area.

Why You’ll Thrive at Subsense

You'd be joining a small team developing a non-surgical, bidirectional brain-computer interface powered by plasmonic and magnetoelectric nanoparticles. You’ll help translate early research into working technology, with the opportunity to influence both the platform and how we build it.

A few things that make this different

• Own meaningful technical work: Take projects from early R&D through functional prototypes, with room to test ideas, solve complex problems, and shape design decisions.
• Build across disciplines: Work hands-on with ultrasound, electronics, and instrumentation alongside scientists and engineers in neuroscience, nanotechnology, and AI.
• Help shape a novel platform: Contribute to technology with the potential to restore neurological function and, over time, enable direct brain-to-AI communication.
• Make a visible impact: Join a team where your contributions directly influence technical progress, with equity that lets you share in the company’s growth.

Benefits that support life beyond work

• Health coverage with meaningful employer support – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Time to rest and recharge – 15 vacation days, 7 sick days, and 10 paid holidays, plus a company-wide winter shutdown from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.
• An easier commute – Commuter benefits to help make getting to work a little easier.
• Support for growing families – Paid parental leave includes 4 weeks of maternity disability leave and 8 weeks of baby-bonding leave, subject to eligibility.
• Time together as a team – Team outings, lunches, happy hours, and celebrations that create opportunities to connect beyond day-to-day work.

Help build what comes next

If you’re drawn to hard problems, hands-on discovery, and the opportunity to turn research into working technology, we’d like to hear from you.

Subsense is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.