Electrical Engineer (San Francisco)

At Ouster, we design and manufacture LIDAR sensors for precision mapping, robotics, automotive, security systems, smart cities and various industrial solutions. We’ve transformed LIDAR from an analog device with thousands of components to an elegant digital device powered by one chip-scale laser array and one CMOS sensor. The result is a full range of high‑resolution LIDAR sensors that deliver superior imaging at a dramatically lower price. If you’re motivated by solving big problems, we’re hiring key roles across the company and need your help!

The Role

We're seeking a proactive and skilled engineer who thrives in a dynamic, fast‑paced, hands‑on environment and is ready to contribute directly to our hardware team, based here in the heart of San Francisco.

What You’ll Do

• Contribute to the design, simulation, and optimization of complex electrical systems and circuits for cutting‑edge industrial and automotive LIDAR applications.
• Drive component selection, schematic capture, and PCB layout, ensuring optimal signal integrity, power integrity, EMC/EMI performance, and manufacturability (DFM).
• Hands‑on bring‑up and debugging of prototype hardware, efficiently identifying and resolving electrical issues.
• Collaborate closely with firmware, mechanical, optical, and software engineering teams to ensure robust design and seamless system integration and performance.
• Document and execute comprehensive engineering verification and validation (EVT) test plans that operate within design parameters and meet product requirements.

What You’ll Bring (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with 3+ years of experience, OR Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) with 1+ years of experience in relevant hardware product development (e.g., industrial, automotive, robotics, etc).
• Understanding of hardware evaluation methodologies, including development of test cases/suites, performance monitoring, test automation, and data analysis.
• Familiarity with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers and data acquisition systems.
• Solid understanding and practical experience in high‑speed digital and analog circuit design, signal integrity, power delivery, and noise suppression techniques.
• Proficiency with processor architectures, digital logic, and common communication interfaces (e.g., I2C, UART, SPI, USB, MIPI, Ethernet).
• Experience driving the full design cycle: from schematic capture and PCB layout (Cadence, Altium, or similar) through to assembly and validation.

Bonus Points

• Experience in a high‑volume manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with automotive qualification processes and standards (e.g., AEC‑Q100/200).
• Knowledge of Python or other scripting languages for test automation.

A Note on Experience

• We acknowledge the confidence gap at Ouster. You do not need to meet all of these requirements to be the ideal candidate for this role. We encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills and passion to succeed.

The base pay will be dependent on your skills, work experience, location, and qualifications. This role may also be eligible for equity & benefits. ($107,000–$200,000)

Ouster is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that pursues and hires a diverse workforce. Ouster does not make employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender‑identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military status, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. Ouster also strives for a healthy and safe workplace, and prohibits harassment of any kind. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Ouster considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.