Electrical Engineer -- Embedded Systems & PCB Design
19 days ago
Austin
Job Description Contract Role with Potential Full-Time Opportunity Guinn Partners | Austin, Texas About Guinn Partners Guinn Partners is an Austin-based engineering consultancy specializing in advanced robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace technologies, and complex hardware product development. Our team works with startups, Fortune 500 companies, and government organizations to design and deliver cutting-edge technology — from early concept and prototyping through production deployment. Our engineers solve challenging real-world problems across industries including robotics, unmanned systems (UAV/UGV), aerospace technologies, and connected hardware products. We are a multidisciplinary team that works hands-on to bring new technologies from concept to production. About the Role Guinn Partners is seeking an Electrical Engineer specializing in embedded systems and PCB design to support several active engineering programs. This role is offered as a contract position with the potential to convert to a full-time role based on project needs and performance. In this role, you will contribute to the full lifecycle of embedded electronics development — from schematic capture and PCB layout through firmware development, system integration, and validation. You will work closely with mechanical, software, and systems engineers to design reliable hardware for robotics platforms, autonomous systems, and embedded devices. This is a hands-on engineering role ideal for someone comfortable working in both design tools and lab environments while helping move hardware from prototype to production. Key Responsibilities — PCB Design & Hardware Development • Design and review schematics for microcontroller-based systems, power regulation circuits, sensor interfaces, and communication buses, • Perform PCB layout using tools such as Altium Designer, KiCad, or OrCAD, including multi-layer stackups and EMI/EMC best practices, • Support hardware development for robotics systems, UAV platforms, and embedded devices, • Develop and maintain design documentation including BOMs, schematics, assembly drawings, and validation test procedures, • Work with contract manufacturers on PCB fabrication, assembly, prototyping, and production ramp, • Conduct design reviews and design-for-manufacturability (DFM) analysis, • Support board bring-up, debugging, and system validation Embedded Firmware Development • Develop embedded firmware in C/C++ for microcontrollers (STM32, NXP, TI, Renesas, or similar), • Develop and debug drivers for SPI, I2C, UART, ADC, PWM, DMA, and GPIO peripherals, • Implement RTOS-based systems such as FreeRTOS or Zephyr, • Support real-time performance, power efficiency, and hardware integration, • Develop and support hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and system validation CAN Bus & Industrial Communications • Design and implement CAN / CAN FD communication systems, • Develop and maintain DBC files and signal definitions, • Analyze CAN network performance and optimize bus utilization, • Implement higher-layer protocols such as CANopen or J1939 when required, • Use diagnostic tools such as Vector CANalyzer, PEAK PCAN, or Kvaser Qualifications — Required • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, • 3+ years of experience in embedded hardware and/or firmware engineering, • Experience designing production-ready PCBs from prototype through manufacturing, • Strong proficiency in C or C++ for embedded systems, • Hands-on experience with CAN bus communication systems, • Familiarity with lab equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and power supplies Preferred • Experience with robotics platforms, UAV systems, or autonomous hardware, • Familiarity with ISO 11898 (CAN), J1939, or CANopen standards, • Experience designing electronics for industrial or rugged environments, • Familiarity with Git-based workflows or hardware version control tools, • Python or scripting experience for test automation Employment Type This position is offered as a contract / temporary role to support current engineering programs, with the potential to transition into a full-time position based on project pipeline and performance. Work Location Austin, Texas (On-site - collaboration required for lab work and hardware testing Company DescriptionGuinn Partners is an Austin-based engineering consultancy specializing in advanced robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace technologies, and complex hardware product development. Our team works with startups, Fortune 500 companies, and government organizations to design and deliver cutting-edge technology — from early concept and prototyping through production deployment. Our engineers solve challenging real-world problems across industries including robotics, unmanned systems (UAV/UGV), aerospace technologies, and connected hardware products. We are a multidisciplinary team that works hands-on to bring new technologies from concept to production.Guinn Partners is an Austin-based engineering consultancy specializing in advanced robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace technologies, and complex hardware product development. Our team works with startups, Fortune 500 companies, and government organizations to design and deliver cutting-edge technology — from early concept and prototyping through production deployment.\r\n\r\nOur engineers solve challenging real-world problems across industries including robotics, unmanned systems (UAV/UGV), aerospace technologies, and connected hardware products. We are a multidisciplinary team that works hands-on to bring new technologies from concept to production.