Director of Neural Engineering

Location: Newark, NJ (Hybrid / In-Person). Role: Lead human validation of neural interfaces, direct scientific writing, and execute technical pilots. Type: Full-time. Pay: $80K-$120K per year + significant equity (0.1%-1% of company) + benefits (health insurance, 401K) Sharper Sense is a venture-backed neurotech spinout from Columbia and Cornell, funded by top-tier investors including Joyance, SOSV, Plug and Play, and Comcast NBCUniversal. We are commercializing the first single-use, noninvasive neural interface optimized for closed-loop neuromodulation via the carotid triangle. With early contracts and partnerships secured from the Air Force and Army, and efficacy validated through extensive clinical pilots, we are now transitioning from R&D to field deployment. This is a Founding Team role for a Neural Engineer with deep experience in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) or neuromodulation. You will guide the company's scientific validation and optimization strategy, acting as the critical bridge between physiological constraints and our electrical engineering team. In this role, you will architect technical pilots for government and commercial partners, translate neuroscience insights into product design requirements, and own the scientific narrative for all customer and grant engagements. Core Responsibilities Validate hardware in humans across design iterations, translating physiological data and user feedback into actionable engineering requirements for safety and efficacy. Lead scientific writing for grant and contract applications (DoD, NIH, NSF), collaborating with internal teams and managing external writers to ensure successful submissions. Serve as the Technical Point of Contact for defense and commercial partners, overseeing field deployment to ensure successful pilots and demonstrations. Manage internal and external human studies, from IRB and recruitment to data analysis. Leverage academic literature to identify and implement actionable improvements for our hardware and evaluation protocols. Qualifications Required: PhD in Neural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Neuroscience, or a related field. Proven track record of neurotech studies in human subjects. Experience with biosignal recording, neurostimulation hardware, and signal processing. Ability to write custom software for behavioral tasks and data analysis. Must be a U.S. Person (Citizen or Permanent Resident) due to government contract requirements. Preferred: Experience with wearable electronics, electrode design, electric field modeling, or embedded hardware. Prior involvement in writing successful grant proposals, technical whitepapers, or academic publications. Experience working with defense or government stakeholders. Eligibility to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance. Why Join Sharper Sense? Founding Team: Report directly to the CEO with autonomy over the scientific roadmap and major design decisions. Meaningful Ownership: Significant equity package (0.1%–1.0%) to align your upside with the company’s long-term success. The Ecosystem: Work from the SOSV HAX hub (gym, kitchen, 40+ startups) with direct access to our network of investors and advisors. Benefits: Health insurance, 401k, commuter reimbursement, and hybrid work flexibility. Note to Recruiters: We are hiring for this role directly. We do not accept unsolicited agency submissions and will not pay placement fees for uncontracted outreach. Please do not contact candidates on our behalf. #J-18808-Ljbffr