Senior Hardware Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

For a century, the answer to “what’s in the pipe right now” was a grab sample to a lab with results back hours later. We answer it every second. 

Laminar is building human-centric self-driving factories: the ones made of stainless steel pipes and reactors, that make what the world eats, uses, and wears. Proprietary inline sensors read the chemistry in the pipe. Foundation models grounded in physics and chemistry reason about how close the process is to its target. Process control software acts on the answer through the plant’s automation system in real time. Laminar Insights shows what happened, why, and what it saved. 

A Laminar line uses about 20% less water and 20% fewer chemicals and runs 15% faster, with quality protected. Productivity and sustainability improve together. We run across six continents at manufacturers like Coca-Cola, Unilever, and AB InBev, backed by tier-1 investors in Physical AI. 

We’re a polymathic team of 50 in Somerville: hardware and software engineers, chemists, AI researchers, factory operators, and go-to-market wizards under one roof. Nobody here is waiting to be asked what to do. You’ll see the problem, propose the fix, and own the outcome. We believe in autonomy, ownership, and demanding excellence, and we hold each other to it. If that’s how you want to spend your time, come build the self-driving factory with us.

 

We’re seeking a senior-level Hardware Engineer whose work will focus on new sensor system Research and Development. You will work closely with other engineers across both the Hardware and Embedded Systems teams to rapidly evaluate new technologies, test performance of sensing systems, and integrate them into field prototypes. This role will directly perform circuit and PCB design and evaluation, sensor experimental design and data analysis. You will work closely with colleagues to fabricate R&D systems and implement them for field trials. We value a self-sufficient, hands-on engineer who isn’t afraid to ask questions and learns new skills quickly. Your work will directly impact our hardware product design, improve prototype iteration speed, and help Laminar to save more resources every day.   

What You Will Do

• Design and protype PCBs from commercially available and custom sensors using KiCAD, SolidWorks, and simulation software such as PSPICE 

• Design mechanical housings using Solidworks tailored to difficult industrial deployment environments 

• Develop and implement test strategies alongside the Laminar Data Analysis team. Collect and present this data in informal and formal reviews to allow for rapid analysis and sensor comparisons.  

• Lead internal teams working on new system design, with a focus on quick evaluation and an extremely high level of system ownership.  

• Integrate sensors to established testing platform using Zephyr RTOS 

• Bring new ideas and creatively pursue new approaches to product sensing to solve critical problems for our clients.  

• Contribute to the overall hardware team by providing design, assembly, and debug assistance on multiple projects.  

About You

Required 

• 5+ years (senior level) experience in electronics design, mechanical design, and data analysis 

• Significant Electrical OR Mechanical Experience along the following tracks 

• Electronics experience: PCB SMD and THT soldering, rework, troubleshooting, oscilloscope use, digital signal analysis, switch mode power supply design, EMI troubleshooting 

• PCB design experience with advanced microcontrollers, low noise analog sensor systems, industrial comms protocols and high density design 

• Mechanical Experience: Generalist design principles for CNC machined housings, watertight sealing and customer UX in industrial products 

• Significant product development experience, with a focus on new product bringup and R&D. Expect to talk about previous design projects in your interviews with the team 

• Embedded system coding experience, preferably in Zephyr RTOS or similar 

• Generalist mindset: comfortable working with all parts of electromechanical assemblies, data logging, as well as system-level topics 

• Clear, efficient, and respectful communicator, good at balancing multiple projects and shifting priorities 

Preferred 

• Significant Electrical AND Mechanical Experience 

• Full stack product development experience. Have taken multiple products from concept through to volume production and sunsetting and comfortable working throughout that lifecycle.  

• Experience working with PCB contract manufacturers, machine shops both domestic and international, and a strong level of experience with DFM concepts 

• Significant prior experience navigating the balance between “move fast and break things, but not the important things” 

• Mechanical design experience in difficult environments: Sensor housings in ATEX zones, automotive or similar 

• Experience with Zephyr RTOS 

• RF experience, especially around antenna design and tuning or RF spectroscopy 

Benefits

• Direct impact on product and culture.
• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Disability, Transportation benefit, Health and Wellness benefit, and more.
• 401k plan with employer matching
• Equity
• Competitive salary and bonus opportunities.
• Dynamic and inclusive work environment.
• Opportunities for growth and professional development.
• Access to Greentown Labs' extensive network of cleantech startups.

Learn How We Think

• Learn about our startup journey: Our Journey 

• How we're combating climate change: AI-Powered Climate Tech 

• A customer story: Ben & Jerry's uses H2Ok's precision automation to cut time & water usage 

Our pay ranges are established per Pave Compensation Software. We’re also proud to offer equity in our fast-growing startup and one of the most comprehensive benefits packages among startups at our stage. Laminar pays 100% of the individual health insurance premium for HMO medical, vision, and dental, offers flexible PTO, a $90/month transportation benefit, a $65/month health and wellness benefit, FSA, 12 company-paid holidays, an employer-matching 401(k) (unheard of at this stage!), and Greentown Labs membership, among other valuable resources. (*subject to change)

Why You'll Love it Here

• A front-row seat at Greentown Labs, North America's largest cleantech innovation hub, in a Somerville neighborhood ranked one of the coolest in the world

• Real recognition: 2026 World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, Gold 2026 Edison Award, Unilever Startup of the Year, Innovator Awards by both Coca-Cola and ABInBev, and more

• A team that celebrates together from rooftop lunches, ping pong matches, Lunch & Learns, and regular team events

• Competitive salary, equity, and a 401(k) with company match

• Health, dental, and vision coverage, plus short- and long-term disability and life insurance

• Flexible time off and 12 company-paid holidays

• A conference and learning budget to keep growing your craft

• Greentown Labs membership and a transportation benefit for your commute

Our Interview Process

1. Phone screen with Laminar Head of Ops or Recruiter (15-20 minutes)

2. Intro call with Hiring Manager (30 minutes)

3. On-site interview, including short tour of GTL, overview of tech, and interview/presentation with the Hiring Manager and a few team members. Depending on the role, a skills exercise that should take no longer than an hour to prep, would be sent ahead of time. We record your skills exercise to share with any team members who could not join the interview and/or with Founder's ahead of their Founder's Interview. If you are not local, we can conduct this virtually.

4. Finalists for Full-Time positions will have a Founder’s Interview in-person

Final steps:

Two professional references are requested, ideally one from your current organization and one who served as your Manager

If an Offer Letter is extended, a Background check is conducted

A  recent study from LinkedIn showed that most women apply to jobs only when they meet 100% of the requirements, whereas men will hit the apply button if they hit 60%. Laminar (formerly H2Ok) is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. So, to the women and nonbinary folks out there feeling unsure if you're a perfect fit, we strongly encourage you to apply! If you're ready to play a key role in scaling a game-changing company that’s transforming the industrial sector and advancing sustainability, we want to hear from you!

* We recently updated our domain to runlaminar.com. Please ensure you add the runlaminar.com domain to your safe senders list to ensure you receive our communications.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.