Demo

Founding Hardware Design Engineer

Scion Staffing
San Francisco, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 1/4/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 2/10/2026
Scion Technology has been engaged to conduct a search for an experienced Founding Hardware Design Engineer for our client, a cutting-edge AI startup in San Francisco, CA! This is a full-time, direct hire position based onsite in San Francisco.

Position Overview

This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to join an innovative company at the ground floor and shape the future of AI-powered hardware from day one. This isn't just another job—it's an opportunity to leave your mark on the AI revolution and be part of a founding team that's building the next generation of intelligent hardware systems. If you're passionate about AI, thrive in ambiguous environments, and want to transform bold ideas into tangible products, this is your moment!

PERKS

  • Competitive annual salary of $180k-225k base (depending on experience) equity
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Unique opportunity to build something extraordinary from scratch, working alongside world-class engineers and visionaries who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in AI
  • Great professional growth and continued learning potential

Responsibilities

  • Lead the 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

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field (Master's degree 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

Compensation & Benefits

This full-time position offers an annual base salary range of $180k-225k, commensurate with experience. The organization provides a robust benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage in addition to paid time off.

About Our Firm

Scion Staffing is a national award-winning staffing firm! Since 2006, we have had the pleasure of successfully placing thousands of talented professionals with amazing career opportunities. Through our innovative team building and recruiting solutions, we bridge the gap in executive leadership searches, direct hire recruiting, interim leadership placement, and temporary professional staffing. We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm as well as a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm can also be found online.

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 are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent. For opportunities located in a region that have enacted fair chance, arrest or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Staffing proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.

Salary : $180,000 - $225,000

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