Electrical Engineer

About Our Work

We are neuroscientists who build ground-breaking technology for the spatial computing era. We stimulate nerves to create artificial tactile sensations, creating new, more meaningful connections to the user for notifications, 3D digital content, physical AI, health information, and beyond. Our first products will be mobile, wearable devices that stream haptic data from multiple digital sources to create meaningful sensations of touch.

What You'll Be Doing

The Electrical Engineer is responsible for supporting the design, development, testing, and implementation of hardware and electrical systems for new and existing products. This role applies strong technical knowledge to solve engineering challenges, contribute to product development efforts, and support reliable, high-quality hardware solutions. The position works collaboratively with cross-functional teams and contributes technical expertise throughout the product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• System design and development including architecture, integration, and new technology development.
• Drive miniaturization and low power operation through custom hardware development, power modeling, and hardware/software optimization.
• Develop and manage system performance and validation plans around EMI/ESD, coexistence, and reliability.
• Ensure all electronic designs meet regulatory standards (EMC, EMI, safety certifications like FCC, CE, UL).
• Contribute to hardware design reviews, prototype development, validation testing, and system integration activities
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software, manufacturing, quality, and project management, to support product development goals and timelines
• Assist in evaluating technical solutions, components, and technologies to support product performance, reliability, and cost objectives
• Troubleshoot hardware and electrical system issues and support root-cause analysis and corrective actions
• Create and maintain engineering documentation, including schematics, test plans, reports, specifications, and design updates
• Support verification, validation, and performance testing activities to ensure products meet technical and quality requirements
• Participate in continuous improvement efforts related to engineering processes, product quality, and operational efficiency
• Work with leadership to define project planning, product roadmaps and timelines.
• Support collaboration with vendors, suppliers, and external partners as needed to assist with product development and issue resolution
• Share technical knowledge and collaborate with team members to support successful project execution
• Other duties as assigned

What You'll Need for This Position

Education

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Electrical Engineering or related field
• PhD preferred but not required

Must-Have Skills & Experience

• 5+ years of experience in hardware development, electrical engineering, or a related technology domain
• Strong expertise in electrical system design, system architecture, hardware development methodologies, and engineering analysis
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex technical projects and initiatives
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, operations, product management, and external stakeholders
• Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and apply them effectively
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills

What's in It for You

• Work closely with cutting-edge technology. You'll be hands-on with novel neural haptic technology that's defining the future of spatial computing and immersive experiences.
• Work in a close-knit, startup environment. We strive to create an intellectually stimulating and collegial working environment. Our energy for inventing, creating, and learning spans work and play: we have regular happy hours, plan field trips, play games, play music, and generally have a good time.
• An early employee experience. We are an early-stage deep tech startup company that requires all members to contribute across the entire business. On any given day, there will be new challenges and new demands to propel the business forward. We expect all employees to be able to dive into any new challenges that present themselves, even if they are beyond the job description above. If your are driven by the desire to see success and to create new tech not seen by the world previously, you will fit right in to the team's culture.

Compensation & Benefits

Afference is committed to providing the sense of touch for the evolution of the human connection to technology and the future of the digital experience. We are leading this effort through deep science and technology, which provides unique experiences compared to classical haptic technologies. Our lean team of experts demands a high level of excellence but can compensate with the commensurate upside potential of an early-growth startup in a high-growth sector of extended reality.

Compensation offers depend on skills, qualifications, and experience, and range between:

$104,861 to $157,291 per year at 100% FTE

Benefits include

• Medical, dental vision, life, STD, FSA, additional company perks
• Equity incentives
• Self-managed PTO

Location

On-site; Cleveland, OH office