Founding Hardware Design Engineer

Founding Hardware Design Engineer – Full‑time, direct hire, onsite in San Francisco, CA.

This is a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity to join an innovative AI start‑up at the ground floor and shape the future of hardware from day one. The role demands passion for AI, the ability to thrive in ambiguous environments, and a drive to turn bold ideas into tangible products.

• Competitive annual salary of $180k‑225k base (depending on experience) + equity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Opportunity to build something extraordinary from scratch with world‑class engineers
• Great professional growth and continued learning potential

• Lead end‑to‑end design, development, and deployment of AI‑optimized hardware systems from concept to production
• Make critical architectural decisions on component selection, power management, thermal design, and system architecture that will shape the company’s technical foundation
• Drive prototyping efforts and oversee testing, validation, and iteration of hardware designs to ensure optimal performance
• Ensure seamless hardware‑software integration and conduct technical due diligence on emerging hardware technologies and AI accelerators

• Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (Master’s or PhD preferred)
• 7+ years of experience in hardware engineering with a focus on AI/ML systems, edge computing, or high‑performance computing
• Proven track record of bringing complex hardware products from concept to production
• Deep understanding of AI accelerators, GPUs, TPUs, NPUs, or custom silicon for ML workloads
• Startup experience or entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable with ambiguity and rapid iteration

The position offers an annual base salary range of $180k‑225k, commensurate with experience. Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage plus paid time off.

Scion Staffing is a national award‑winning staffing firm that has been placing talented professionals for over a decade. We focus on connecting exceptional talent with innovative companies worldwide.

Scion Staffing, Inc. is an equal‑opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation or belief, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and dedicate ourselves to making employment decisions based on merit and value.