Hardware Prototyping & Lab Lead

Job Description

Job Description

At Sonatus, we're driving the transformation to AI-enabled software-defined vehicles. Traditional automotive software methods can't keep pace with consumer expectations shaped by the mobile industry—where features evolve rapidly, update seamlessly, and improve continuously. That's why leading OEMs trust Sonatus to accelerate this shift. Our technology is already in production across more than 8 million vehicles on the road today and rapidly expanding.

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, with 250+ employees worldwide, Sonatus combines the agility of a fast-growing company with the scale and impact of an established partner. Backed by strong funding and proven by global deployment, we're solving some of the most interesting and complex challenges in the industry. Join us and help redefine what's possible as we shape the future of mobility.

As our Hardware Prototyping & Lab Lead , you will be the cornerstone of the physical engineering environment where the future of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV) comes to life. While Sonatus is a software-first company, our breakthrough technology requires a world-class hardware foundation to bridge the gap between code and the road.

You won't just be managing a lab; you'll be a critical enabler for our engineering teams, ensuring they have the infrastructure, prototypes, and technical support needed to deploy AI-enabled software into vehicles worldwide. This role blends administrative leadership with deep hands-on technical execution — including scripting and automation work — managing the transition of high-precision diagnostic tools and gateways from prototype to specialized, low-volume production. Given the highly collaborative and physical nature of our engineering labs, this role is 100% onsite at our Sunnyvale headquarters.

• Scale the Future of SDV: Play a hands-on role in supporting prototypes that are redefining automotive architecture and rapid feature evolution.
• Multi-Disciplinary Impact: Bridge the gap between hardware, software, and QA by writing scripts and tools that connect lab equipment, test automation, and engineering workflows.
• Lead Lab Innovation: Take full ownership of procurement and lab infrastructure, evolving our Sunnyvale headquarters into a state-of-the-art hardware development hub.
• Deepen Technical Mastery: Enhance your expertise in failure analysis, custom harness design, and building automation scripts and instrument-control code within a Linux-based environment.

Lab Administration & Operations:

• End-to-End Lab Management: Oversee the organization, inventory, and lifecycle management of all lab equipment, electronic components, and consumable supplies.
• Infrastructure Excellence: Lead the procurement, installation, and optimization of lab infrastructure to meet evolving engineering needs.
• Compliance & Maintenance: Coordinate the rigorous calibration, maintenance, and repair schedules for specialized test equipment.
• Operational Support: Manage the Engineering Hardware Lab Jira ticketing system to prioritize and resolve technical requests efficiently.

Prototype Development & Specialized Production:

• Low-Volume Production Support: Execute programming for critical devices (CPLDs, Flash, EEPROMs) and perform mechanical integration for specialized system builds.
• Test Automation & Scripting: Write, adapt, and maintain Python/Bash scripts to drive lab instruments (DMMs, power supplies, CAN/Ethernet analyzers), automate repetitive test sequences, parse and log test data, and integrate with QA automation frameworks in a Linux-based environment.
• Tooling Development: Build small internal tools and scripts (e.g., for inventory tracking, test-result reporting, or equipment control) to improve lab efficiency and repeatability.
• Functional Validation: Perform comprehensive functional testing and mechanical integration for early-stage prototypes and low-volume production units.
• Root Cause Analysis: Conduct deep-dive debugging and failure analysis on non-functional units to drive design and manufacturing improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Engineering Partnership: Act as a key technical collaborator for hardware, software, and QA engineers on complex development tasks, including reviewing and extending test scripts and automation code.
• Environment Stewardship: Ensure a safe, orderly, and highly productive hardware lab environment that reflects Sonatus' high standards.

• Proven Expertise: Extensive experience in hardware lab management and technical support, ideally within a fast-paced R&D or development environment.
• Software Scripting Proficiency: Hands-on coding experience in Python and/or Bash for test automation, instrument control, and data processing; comfortable writing, debugging, and maintaining scripts rather than just running them.
• Linux & Automation Fluency: Strong command of Linux environments (shell navigation, permissions, package management) and the ability to read, modify, and write scripts for QA automation and CI-style test pipelines.
• Version Control: Familiarity with Git or similar version control tools for managing and sharing scripts and automation code.
• Hands-on Debugging: Expert-level proficiency in electronic test and debug using DMMs, oscilloscopes, and regulated power supplies, including scripting automated measurement and data-capture routines.
• Networking Fundamentals: Solid understanding of basic networking concepts, including LANs, subnets, TCP/IP, and automotive interconnect standards (1000baseT1 & CAN).
• Physical Capability: Ability to lift and move equipment up to 25 pounds.

Benefits Offered:

• Competitive compensation and equity program
• Health care plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Flexible and Dependent Care Expense program
• Retirement plan (401k)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Unlimited paid time off per year, 15 paid holidays
• Hybrid office work arrangement/flexibility

Perk Offerings include:

• Complimentary lunches, snacks, and beverages during on-site working days
• Wellness benefit allowances (towards gym membership and fitness programs)
• Internet reimbursement
• Computer Accessory Allowance

Employee Engagement Offerings:

• Departmental team building and outings
• Employee Referral Program
• Culture/Employee Satisfaction Surveys - Feedback matters!

The posted salary range is a general guideline and represents a good faith estimate of what Sonatus ("Company") could reasonably expect to pay for a base salary for this position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs. The Company reserves the right to modify this range in the future, as needed, as market conditions change.

Base Salary Pay Range

$131,500—$166,500 USD