Embedded Engineer (Power Electronics / Connected Systems)

Company Description:

Sentient Industries, a start-up located in Austin, TX, accelerates mission critical technology for specialized commercial B2B, humanitarian, and national security defense applications. We develop innovative solutions that enhance operational effectiveness and reduce vulnerabilities in challenging environments.

With a focus in the defense, transportation and energy industries, our company offers exciting opportunities for growth and development. Sentient Industries supports a collaborative and dynamic work environment, encouraging employees to push boundaries and explore new ideas.

Role Description

This is a full-time role for an Embedded Engineer (Power Electronics / Connected Systems). You will be responsible for firmware development, hardware and software interface integration, control implementation, and connected-system design for advanced electronic products. In this role, you will work across architecture, development, debugging, verification, and validation, helping ensure that embedded systems are reliable, manufacturable, and aligned with both internal standards and product requirements. 

Core Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and review electronic hardware systems, including schematics, component selection, and validation support.
• Use simulation tools such as SPICE and MATLAB/Simulink to model, validate, and optimize control systems before hardware implementation.
• Work in a team environment to design, develop, debug, verify, and validate firmware and its interaction with software and hardware components.
• Participate in system architecture reviews and support firmware requirements analysis.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to engineering team members, promoting best practices and high-quality design standards.
• Develop, maintain, and update firmware design and architecture style guides, and help ensure products comply with internal policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Apply PCB design and layout best practices, including signal integrity, power integrity, EMC/EMI, and manufacturability considerations, in collaboration with the engineering team.
• Maintain version control on design documents and generate comprehensive production packages, including documentation and drawing sets.

Required Qualifications

• Strong programming background in C, C++, and scripting languages such as Python.
• Strong proficiency in embedded firmware development and hardware/software interface integration.
• 3–5+ years of experience in embedded firmware development for power electronics systems.
• Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems and experience with microcontrollers such as STM32, TI C2000, Nordic, NXP, ARM, or similar platforms.
• Experience with digital control of DC-DC converters, inverters, or power management systems, with strong understanding of analog and digital power systems.
• Familiarity with implementing control algorithms such as PID loops, including anti-windup, as well as PWM and phase-shift control for power topologies.
• Experience designing hardware and firmware systems for IoT applications, including specifying radios, antennas, and transceivers.
• Comfortable working with RF and physically connected systems.
• Ability to debug at the assembly level when necessary.
• Experience programming and designing with FPGAs.
• Hands-on experience with schematic design, debugging, and hardware validation.
• Solid understanding of PCB design principles including SI/PI, EMC/EMI, grounding, and layout constraints.
• Familiarity with PCB design tools such as Altium, OrCAD, or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with high-efficiency power design and EMI considerations.
• Background in defense, aerospace, or other regulated industries.
• Strong sense of urgency, ownership, and commitment to team success.