Senior Electrical Engineer

Location: Mountain View, California, United States

Department: Engineering

Workplace: on_site

Description

Matternet designs, builds, and operates autonomous drone networks that enable ultra-fast, low-cost, and zero-emission package delivery. From hospitals to neighborhoods, we’re transforming how essential goods move through the world.

We’re looking for a Senior Electrical Engineer to design, prototype, and sustain the electronics that power our drone and landing station platforms. You’ll work across power distribution, communication, sensing, and RF systems, helping ensure every flight is safe, reliable, and high-performing.

This is a hands-on role that blends deep technical skill with systems thinking. You’ll collaborate closely with mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams to bring robust, production-ready designs to life.

Responsibilities:

• Design and prototype electrical systems for UAVs, docking stations, payload loading ports, covering,  power distribution, RF communication, communication buses (CAN, I2C, UART, SPI, USB) and MCU based control systems (autopilots, motion control, battery management, vision/perception, GPS/GNSS).
• Lead PCB and system-level design for mixed-signal, high-speed, and RF circuits. 
• Design for reliability, testability, manufacturing, and maintainability are required DFx on all electrical systems 
• Perform analysis and testing of electrical components to validate performance and margin to specifications, including signal integrity, EMI/EMC, and power budgets.
• Integrate electrical systems with mechanical and software components to create cohesive UAV solutions.
• Provide test procedures and fixture solutions to support manufacturing and maintenance tests for modules, sub-assemblies, major assemblies and final assemblies
• Lead troubleshooting and debugging of electrical issues during prototype development and flight testing.
• Collaborate with firmware and software engineers to implement and refine control and communication algorithms.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., FCC, CE, aviation safety) in all electrical designs.

Requirements

• 5+ years in electronics development for embedded or high-reliability systems, preferably in UAV, robotics, or aerospace sectors.
• Proficiency in circuit design, schematic capture, DFx, and PCB layout tools (e.g., Altium, Eagle).
• Experience with RF circuit design and antenna integration for telemetry, control, or video transmission.
• Experience with embedded systems, sensors, and communication protocols (e.g., I2C, SPI, CAN, UART, Ethernet).
• Familiarity with high-speed design principles (e.g., impedance control, PCB stack-up selection, signal integrity).
• Strong hands-on background in prototyping, testing, and debugging electrical systems.
• Experience collaborating with mechanical engineers 
• Experience taking products from prototype to production.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with UAV systems, autopilot hardware, and flight control.
• Experience with switching power supplies (buck/boost converters, LDOs) and power management for battery-based systems.
• Familiarity with RF compliance and test methods.
• Knowledge of software development and firmware integration.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for drone operations.

Work Environment:

• This is an onsite role with opportunities for hands-on work in a manufacturing setting.

Benefits

At Matternet, we’re advancing a new era of logistics, one where autonomous drones deliver what matters faster, cleaner, and more efficiently. We know our mission is challenging, but it's worth it, and we are committed to taking care of the people who make it possible.

• Compensation: The expected starting range for this role is $170,000–$250,000, based on San Francisco Bay Area market data. This range reflects the target starting pay for candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for the role. Final compensation will depend on factors such as your experience, skills, level, location, and potential impact.
• Total Rewards: In addition to base pay, our compensation packages include equity and benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts (FSA), unlimited paid time off, company holidays, and a 401(k) plan.