Lead Embedded Electrical Engineer - US - 1099

About Very
(Remote – USA)

Very is a fully distributed technology firm led by expert problem-solvers who create efficient, scalable solutions that move commercial, industrial, and consumer products from pilot to production in record time.

We believe that real innovation happens in the grind — working shoulder to shoulder with clients who are building the future. Our team thrives on that energy. When we’re not helping clients deliver business-critical outcomes, we’re refining our craft and celebrating what it means to do hard things well.

We’ve built a collaborative, tight-knit culture that thrives in both remote and in-person settings. We’ve won numerous workplace awards over the years, including Great Place to Work certification and recognition from Parity.org as a Best Company for Women to Advance.

Our clients include well-known brands like Vizio, Peloton, Clear, iHeart Radio, and Fellowes — all determined to leverage connected devices and AI to drive meaningful impact. Our job is simple: help them win.

About This Role

As a Lead Embedded Electrical Engineer at Very, you will work closely with our Software, Hardware, and Product Design teams to deliver full-service solutions for our clients. We specialize in end-to-end hardware and software systems that solve real business problems, with electrical design and system reliability at the core of our work.

The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in electrical system architecture, schematic design, and board-level development, along with a strong understanding of how electrical decisions impact manufacturability, reliability, and product performance. You will be expected to communicate effectively across disciplines, clearly presenting design decisions, tradeoffs, and risks to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Successful candidates will have experience translating business and product requirements into robust electrical designs, collaborating in interdisciplinary teams, and supporting designs from early concept through production and scale.

This role focuses on embedded electronics and PCB development for connected devices, not large-scale electrical infrastructure such as substations, building electrical systems, or industrial power distribution.

What You’ll Be Working On

In this role, you can expect to work with the following technologies:

• Embedded microcontrollers such as ARM Cortex platforms or ESP32
• Embedded hardware interfaces and digital communication protocols (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART)
• Wireless communication hardware (Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular, subGig)
• AC and DC power, as well as battery power (including low power design for batteries
• Familiarity with embedded firmware environments (Bare Metal C, RTOS, or embedded Linux) is helpful but not required.

Additionally, Very leverages the following tools for hardware engineering:

• Altium
• PCB mill
• Electrical diagnostic tools (oscilloscopes, DMMs, logic analyzers, etc)

 

Responsibilities

• Personally bringing up, debugging, and validating hardware prototypes
• Designing custom PCBAs from concept through production
• Performing thorough electrical validation and troubleshooting
• Using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other diagnostic tools to debug and validate hardware designs
• Ensuring designs are production-ready before handoff to manufacturing
• Architecting the electrical sub-system on new IoT products
• Interacting with contract manufacturers to get your designs into mass production
• You will own hardware designs end-to-end, from early architecture through prototype validation and production readiness.

Minimum Qualifications

Technical Experience

• 6+ years of experience
• BS or higher in Electrical Engineering or closely related field
• Expert-level proficiency in electrical schematic capture (preferably Altium)
• Proven ability to perform complex PCB layout, including high-speed signal integrity and power delivery network (PDN) analysis
• Deep experience with embedded systems design, including microcontroller selection and peripheral integration
• Hands-on experience with hardware bring-up, debugging, and validation using standard lab equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.)
• Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) principles
• Experience with power supply design (AC/DC, DC/DC conversion) and low-power battery-operated designs
• Knowledge of common wireless communication protocols (BLE, Wi-Fi, cellular) and RF design considerations (matching networks, antenna integration)
• Experience ensuring products meet regulatory compliance standards (e.g., FCC, CE, UL)

Nice-to-have/Additional Technical Skills

• Working knowledge of signal processing and sensor interfacing techniques
• Experience designing products for hazardous or harsh environments
• Background in optimizing products for extreme low power consumption (e.g., energy harvesting, deep sleep modes)
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS IoT, Azure IoT, Google Cloud) and how electrical design impacts device-to-cloud communication
• Experience with embedded security considerations (secure boot, encryption, anti-tamper)
• Prior experience working in a regulated industry (e.g., Medical, Automotive, Industrial Control)

 

Skills:

In addition to experience, these are the critical skills we look for in all technical roles, and how they should be demonstrated at the Lead level.

• Client Obsessed: Keeps the client’s success front and center. Measures technical choices by their business impact.
• Communicates Effectively: Expert communicator who informs, engages, and aligns diverse audiences.
• Sets the Bar: Holds themselves and others to exceptionally high technical and delivery standards.
• Thrives in the Grind: Finds energy and satisfaction in complex, high-stakes work — and helps others do the same.
• Leads Through Complexity: Brings clarity and direction when projects are messy, high-pressure, or uncertain.

Compensation

Compensation: USD $90 per hour

**Note: This role is based in the United States, you must have a valid work permit.

Contract

This role is structured as a (1099) engagement, as an ad-hoc hourly contract.

You must have access to your own computer/device and reliable internet. 

Why Work for Very

We do not promise an easy ride — we promise meaningful work.

We work hard because our clients’ success depends on it, and we take pride in delivering when others can’t. We collaborate closely, move fast, and stay grounded in results. We take joy in the process — in the problem-solving, the iteration, and the shared wins that come from doing the hard things well.

If you’re looking for a place where every project matters, where the standards are high, and where you’ll grow by pushing yourself and others — welcome to Very.

IMPORTANT:

1. We don't currently provide Visa Sponsorship. Don't apply if you require this.

2. This job is remote but if you’re not located in the region or country mentioned in the post’s title, do not continue. Your application won’t be reviewed.

Interviewing for a new company is a serious time commitment for all parties involved. Please take the time to read this and thoughtfully consider if we would be a good fit for one another. No contractors or agencies. Seriously. #LI-Remote

The region/country on the post's title is not related to the location of the clients you'll be serving. It's a reference to the place of residence of the applicant! All of Very's clients are North America-based.