Founding Embedded Systems Engineer (IoT/Automotive)

At T.I.G.E.R. (Traffic Intelligence for Gridlock Elimination & Routing), we believe that traffic is not a force of nature—it is a solvable engineering problem. The current generation of navigation apps are merely reactive reporters of traffic chaos. We are building a proactive, hardware-anchored ecosystem to orchestrate traffic flow, mitigate congestion before it forms, and make driving safer, more efficient, and stress-free.

We are a well-funded, patent-pending deep-tech startup on a mission to build the future of mobility. This is your opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a company poised to redefine an entire industry.

The Mission: Your Role as the Founding Embedded Systems Engineer

We are looking for a brilliant, hands-on "Master Builder" to be our first Lead Embedded Systems Engineer. You will not just be an employee; you will be a foundational technical partner with a powerful voice in our engineering culture. You will be responsible for bringing the physical TIGER-TAG device to life—from the initial schematic to the production-ready firmware that will be deployed in thousands of vehicles.

This is a role for a builder who is obsessed with creating elegant, robust, and highly efficient hardware and firmware.

What You'll Be Doing (The Core Responsibilities):

• Own the Hardware: Take our conceptual architecture and lead the design of the TIGER-TAG hardware, including the schematic, PCB layout (in Altium/KiCad), and component selection.
• Write the "Soul" of the Device: Develop production-grade firmware on our chosen ESP32-S3 SoC using the ESP-IDF and FreeRTOS.
• Master the Sensors: Write the low-level drivers to capture and fuse high-frequency, real-time data from our sensor array (GPS, 6-axis IMU, Compass, Microphone).
• Ensure Rock-Solid Connectivity: Implement the secure and efficient communication protocols (MQTT over Cellular) to our AWS IoT backend.
• Perfect the Power: Design and implement sophisticated power management strategies to maximize the life of our 2000 mAh internal battery.
• Build for Scale: Create and manage a secure, robust Firmware-Over-the-Air (FOTA) update system.
• Lead the "Bring-Up": Take your design from a digital file to a physical, working prototype, leading the debugging and validation process.

What We're Looking For (The Must-Haves):

• 5+ years of professional experience in embedded systems design and firmware development.
• Deep, proven expertise with the ESP32 platform and the ESP-IDF framework. (This is non-negotiable).
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems.
• Hands-on experience in schematic design and multi-layer PCB layout (KiCad, Altium, or similar).
• Demonstrable experience with IoT communication protocols, especially MQTT, and connecting devices securely to cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
• Experience with real-time operating systems (FreeRTOS is a major plus).
• A deep understanding of digital and analog electronics, with the ability to debug hardware with tools like an oscilloscope and logic analyzer.

What Will Make You Stand Out (The "Wow" Factors):

• Experience designing hardware for harsh automotive or industrial environments.
• A portfolio that includes a custom PCB you have personally designed and brought to life.
• Experience with designing RF layouts for custom antennas (for Cellular, GPS, or Wi-Fi).
• A passion for building things that are not just functional but also incredibly efficient and reliable.

What We Offer:

• A competitive salary and a significant, founder-level equity stake.
• The opportunity to be the first engineering hire and shape the technical direction of a deep-tech startup.
• A complex, fascinating technical challenge with the potential for massive real-world impact.
• A fast-paced, no-bureaucracy environment where your work has immediate visibility and importance.

If you are a builder who is tired of slow, incremental projects and wants to be at the heart of a mission to change the world's cities, we want to talk to you.