Electrical Engineer

Location: Santa Clara, CA

Department: 1600 - Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Electrical Engineer

Board Design, Flow Control, Firmware Development, Schematic, Microcontroller

We are seeking a skilled Electrical Engineer to join our team, specializing in board design, flow control, firmware development, schematic creation, and microcontroller integration. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing and developing printed circuit boards (PCBs), creating and interpreting electrical schematics, and programming firmware for embedded systems. This role requires expertise in microcontroller selection and configuration, as well as implementing flow control strategies to optimize system performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and lay out printed circuit boards (PCBs) from concept through production, ensuring compliance with applicable standards.
• Create, review, and maintain electrical schematics, drawings, specifications, and related documentation.
• Define and implement the system electrical architecture and support overall system integration.
• Select, configure, and integrate microcontrollers and supporting circuitry based on project requirements (e.g., STM32 or similar platforms).
• Develop, test, and debug embedded firmware for microcontroller-based systems; design hardware to support firmware and control loops.
• Implement and support mass-flow-control electronics and strategies to improve reliability and efficiency.
• Perform hands-on bring-up, troubleshooting, and debugging; support prototyping, validation, and production/manufacturing readiness.
• Plan and execute engineering tests, analyze results, and generate test reports and technical presentations for design reviews.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (firmware, systems, manufacturing, suppliers) to resolve issues and ensure seamless hardware/software integration.
• Provide technical leadership, including mentoring junior engineers and leading/participating in design reviews as needed.
• Ensure compliance with safety requirements, standards, and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field (or equivalent practical experience) with 3+ years of experience in the Industry.
• Experience with PCB design and schematic capture tools (e.g., Altium, Eagle, KiCad).
• Proficiency in embedded firmware development for microcontrollers (e.g., ARM, PIC, AVR, MSP430).
• Strong understanding of mass flow control principles in embedded systems.
• Comfortable using lab equipment: oscilloscope, DMM, power supplies, function generator; logic analyzer experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across disciplines.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and in collaborative environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Precision analog / low-noise design (TIA, photodiode front-ends, ADC/DAC interfaces, reference/clock design).
• Power architecture experience (switching regulators + LDOs, grounding strategy, ripple/noise control, sequencing, protection).
• Experience with embedded hardware interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, USB, Ethernet) and supporting firmware teams during integration.
• EMC/EMI and compliance awareness; experience designing for noisy environments and mixed analog/digital layouts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate complex topics and build consensus.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $115K to $120K. Our total compensation packages include base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals. 

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at [email protected] for assistance.