Founding Hardware Engineer
clera · San Francisco ·
- Work mode
- Onsite
- Employment
- Full time
- Category
- Hardware
- Visa sponsorship
- Yes
- Salary
- USD 70,000 – 80,000 / year
Clera is hiring a Founding Hardware Engineer to own the hardware of a compact AI wearable, from the next PCB revision through manufacturing — improving layout, power, and RF, validating boards, and driving prototype-to-production. On-site in San Francisco; visa sponsorship available.
About the Role
Join an early-stage consumer AI hardware team as its Founding Hardware Engineer. You will own the hardware from the next board revision through production, helping develop a compact wearable for private interaction with computers. The device is at the prototype stage, and your work will shape its reliability and path to manufacturing.
What You'll Do
Improve PCB layout and optimize power, RF performance, size, reliability, and cost.
Validate board revisions on real hardware through bring-up and real-world testing.
Guide the device from prototype toward production, including design for manufacture, testing, supplier coordination, and assembly.
Identify hardware risks early and resolve issues during development and manufacturing.
Own hardware decisions and the quality of finished units.
What We're Looking For
Hands-on experience personally designing PCBs that shipped in a real product.
Experience taking hardware from prototype to production, or strong early-career fundamentals and demonstrated ability to work quickly with AI tools.
Ability to take ownership across board layout, power, RF, testing, suppliers, and assembly.
Background in compact wearables, IoT devices, or consumer electronics is useful; expertise in a specific application domain is not required.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range: $70,000 to $80,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is available.
Location
This is a full-time, on-site role in San Francisco, United States. Candidates willing to relocate are welcome.