Volunteer Position: Hardware Integration Engineer

The LoopRoots Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to supporting justice-impacted families through transportation, therapy, and technology-driven programs. Our mission is to remove the physical, financial, and emotional barriers that prevent families from maintaining meaningful connections with incarcerated loved ones, accessing mental health care, or navigating reentry.Founded in 2025, the LoopRoots Foundation operates nationally, with an initial focus on underserved communities in Maryland, Arizona, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, California, and Virginia.

Our key initiatives include

• LoopConnect A ride credit sponsorship platform that provides free or subsidized rides to prison visitation facilities, allowing families to stay in contact during incarceration.
• LoopTalk A HIPAA-compliant virtual therapy program offering trauma-informed mental health care to justice-impacted individuals and caregivers, including children.
• LoopTroop Rideshare Partnership We collaborate with the LoopTroop Rideshare platform to ensure families have access to safe, reliable, and culturally competent transportation services.
  
  

The LoopRoots Foundation is committed to using community-based, technology-enabled tools to restore dignity, promote healing, and reduce generational harm. All of our programs are offered without discrimination to build a truly supportive ecosystem for families across the U.S.

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Organization LoopRoots Foundation (in partnership with LoopTroop Inc.)

Location Remote / Hybrid (collaboration via video and shared design platforms)

Commitment 10–15 hours per week (Volunteer – MVP Phase)

About The Role

LoopRoots Foundation is seeking a Hardware Integration Engineer to assist with the development and testing of the LoopTroop in-car vending system, which allows riders to purchase snacks and essentials directly from vehicles.

This role focuses on building, testing, and refining hardware prototypes, including sensors, vending mechanisms, and connectivity systems that link the vending unit to the LoopTroop mobile app and LoopLocker hubs.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the product and software teams to design and prototype the in-car vending machine hardware.
• Assist in selecting and testing sensors, microcontrollers, and vending components.
• Support hardware-software integration with the app (QR code/PIN unlocking, payment trigger).
• Help design safe, compact layouts suitable for vehicle installation.
• Participate in testing cycles for power, connectivity, and inventory sensors.
• Provide documentation for the final MVP hardware build.
  
  

Ideal Skills

• Experience with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or similar microcontrollers.
• Knowledge of IoT (Internet of Things) systems and hardware integration.
• Familiarity with electrical prototyping, sensor configuration, and data transmission (Bluetooth, WiFi).
• Strong problem-solving and collaboration skills.
• Background in mechanical or electrical engineering preferred but not required.
  
  

What You’ll Gain

• Real-world hardware engineering experience in a social impact tech startup.
• Portfolio and resume credit for an innovative smart vending mobility system.
• Potential for a paid contract role after MVP launch.
  
  

To Apply

Please send your resume, LinkedIn, or portfolio link to

info@looproots.org

Subject “Hardware Integration Engineer – In-Car Vending System”