Nautilus Defense LLC Senior Electrical Engineer Pawtucket, RI · Full time

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Rhode Island based Nautilus Defense builds state-of-the-art textile-integrated systems for monitoring high-value assets and their environments. Our technologies enable the broad distribution and interconnection of electronics in textiles without detracting from their mechanical properties. We leverage these technologies to develop systems of immediate value to our customers while continuously advancing their readiness for manufacturing and use at scale.

Nautilus is a small interdisciplinary team structured to facilitate the rapid experimental development of novel integrated systems. Nautilus team members all demonstrate high levels of technical leadership and personal autonomy. The ideal candidate for this position has experience working both independently and as a member of a fast-moving, high-performing team. Technical craftmanship and integrity are paramount to success in this position.   

Nautilus is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to lead the design and development of low-power, compact embedded electronics for textile-integrated systems. The ideal candidate has deep experience architecting embedded systems that involve sensors, digital interfaces, and real-time data acquisition and processing in constrained environments. 

This role spans the full embedded hardware lifecycle—from early concept and architecture to schematic capture, PCB layout, testing, and system-level integration. You’ll collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to prototype and productize systems where power efficiency, physical footprint, and robust communication protocols are critical.

This position requires US Citizenship.

We are open to flexible working arrangements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop embedded PCBs integrating microcontrollers, SoCs, sensors, and power management circuits
• Own schematic capture and PCB layout, balancing electrical performance, mechanical constraints, and manufacturability
• Debug and validate prototype and production PCBs using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other lab equipment
• Perform board bring-up and support system-level integration and test
• Implement and verify digital interfaces such as I²C, SPI, UART, and GPIO-based control schemes
• Collaborate with firmware engineers to ensure reliable hardware/software integration
• Support rapid prototyping, board revisions, and design-for-manufacture (DFM) activities
• Document hardware designs, test procedures, and revision history to ensure traceability and reproducibility
• Participate in design reviews and contribute to architecture decisions for textile-integrated embedded systems
• Lead or support R&D efforts to evolve core technology capabilities and extend their application

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience designing and debugging embedded PCBs, from concept through production
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g., Altium Designer, KiCad, OrCAD)
• Strong understanding of PCB design best practices for signal integrity, power distribution, grounding, and EMI/EMC
• Hands-on experience with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, power supplies) for board bring-up and debugging
• Experience integrating microcontrollers, SoCs, sensors, and wireless modules into compact, low-power designs
• Familiarity with common embedded interfaces and protocols (I²C, SPI, UART, USB, GPIO)
• Experience collaborating with firmware engineers on hardware/software integration and debugging
• Understanding of design-for-manufacture (DFM), design-for-test (DFT), and working with contract manufacturers
• Excellent documentation skills for hardware designs, test results, and revision control
• Ability to take initiative, solve problems, work independently, and self-motivate to meet project milestones in a fast-paced environment  
• Ability to work on small teams pursuing ambitious technical development goals