Embedded Systems Engineer

Job Title: Embedded Systems Engineer
Company: HyperKelp
Location: San Diego, CA (hybrid with field testing)

Overview

HyperKelp builds low-cost, long-endurance ocean sensing platforms that operate in contested and remote environments. The Kelp Smart Buoy (KSB) is a modular, solar-powered system supporting ISR, environmental monitoring, and defense applications.

This role focuses on designing, building, and deploying embedded systems that power persistent maritime sensing at the edge.

Responsibilities

  • Design and develop embedded firmware for KSB platforms (MCUs, sensor interfaces, power systems)

  • Integrate and optimize sensors (acoustic, RF, EO/IR, environmental)

  • Implement low-power architectures for long-duration deployments

  • Develop communication interfaces (SATCOM, cellular, WiFi, LoRa)

  • Support edge processing and AI/ML deployment on constrained hardware

  • Work closely with mechanical and software engineers on hardware integration

  • Debug and validate systems in lab and real-world maritime environments

  • Support rapid prototyping, iteration, and field deployments

  • Contribute to system architecture and product roadmap decisions

Required Qualifications

  • BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

  • 3+ years of embedded systems experience

  • Strong python embedded software development skills

  • Familiarity with hardware interfaces (I2C, SPI, USB)

  • Understanding of power management and low-power design

  • Experience with embedded Linux.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with maritime, aerospace, or ruggedized systems

  • Familiarity with RF systems or software-defined radio

  • Experience deploying edge AI/ML models

  • Experience with satellite or long-range communications

  • Exposure to defense or dual-use technologies

  • Ability to work across hardware, firmware, and systems

What You’ll Work On

  • Persistent ocean sensing platforms operating for months to years

  • Distributed sensor networks supporting maritime domain awareness

  • Edge AI systems for real-time classification and alerting

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive salary, equity and benefits.

  • Opportunity to work on high-impact national security applications

  • Small, high-ownership team with rapid iteration cycles

  • Access to advanced prototyping and testing facilities

Apply

HR@hyperkelp.com