Director of Electrical and Firmware Engineering

Director of Electrical and Firmware Engineering

The Elevator Pitch

Join Evolv as the Director of Electrical and Firmware Engineering and be a key driver in shaping the future of safety technology. At Evolv, our mission is simple: to make the world a safer place with every product we create. As a design-driven company, we combine bold, visionary thinking with practical system improvements, human-centered design, and cutting-edge AI integration. If you're ready to push the boundaries of innovation and develop transformative solutions, we want you to be part of our team.

In this role, you'll lead a world-class team of electrical and firmware engineers, tackling exciting challenges across electronics, firmware, and system integration. You’ll work on advanced analog and digital designs, oversee PCB development from concept to production, and ensure product compliance with industry standards like FCC, UL, and environmental regulations. You’ll dive into wired and wireless communication networks, hardware diagnostics, AI accelerators, advanced sensors, RTOS, and Linux—developing intelligent hardware systems (API and HAL) that integrate seamlessly with application software, embedding real-time ML interferences and algorithms.

You will champion AI tools to push the boundaries of what’s possible in modern electrical engineering and firmware design. You’ll also guide new products through the manufacturing life cycle—from NPI and ECO management to successful product launch and high-volume production. At Evolv, your work will be instrumental in shaping cutting-edge products that truly make a difference, ensuring the safety and security of communities worldwide.

As a leader, you’ll foster collaboration and open communication across the team, creating a culture of shared goals and continuous improvement. With thoughtful guidance and mentorship, you'll ensure that the team stays aligned with broader project objectives while welcoming diverse perspectives to drive innovative solutions and successful outcomes.

Success in the Role: What are performance outcomes over the first 6-12 months you will work toward completing?

Within the First Month:

• Meet all team members and understand their roles and current projects.
• Familiarize yourself with all ongoing projects, their life-cycle stages, and immediate challenges.
• Identify all active stakeholders and their roles in the projects.
• Visit contract manufacturers and a customer site to gain context.
• Gain access to all necessary development tools.
• Learn all active processes, including ECO (Engineering Change Order), PCB release, firmware release, etc.

Within the First Three Months:

• Help oversee the transition of the second-generation (Gen2) Express product to full-capacity manufacturing.
• Support product life-cycle improvements for the first-generation (Gen1) Express product.
• Assist in the transition of upcoming new products into manufacturing.
• Review and update PCB and firmware release processes as needed.
• Provide hands-on mentorship and assistance in solving at least three significant electrical engineering challenges.

By the End of the First Year:

• Establish yourself as the trusted go-to person for all electrical hardware questions. If you don’t have the answer, you know where to find it.
• Regularly lead hardware triaging and debugging during design and deployment, and conduct daily huddles when necessary.
• Oversee the transition of Evolv Innovation Center (EIC) products from Proof of Concept (POC) to initial customer validation phases.
• Provide electrical engineering (EE) support to ensure new product launches stay on time and within budget.
• Complete at least one project that delivers a significant hardware improvement for the Express Gen1 fleet, addressing field issues or RMA returns.
• Collaborate with HR to recruit top talent in alignment with the Annual Operating Plan (AOP).
• Foster a culture of collaboration within the EE team and across R&D, exemplifying leadership best practices.
• Represent the EE team in cross-functional management discussions.
• Collaborate with the Head of Engineering (EVP) to establish 2-3 new metrics to measure EE department performance improvements.

The Work: What type of work will you be doing? What assignments, requirements, or skills will you be performing on a regular basis?

Technical Expertise

• Experience in system architecture, including translating product requirements (PRDs) into detailed design specifications.
• Contribute and review electronics and firmware design, covering areas such as analog/digital circuits, PLL/timing, low-noise PCB design, power supply, and power electronics.
• Understanding RTOS/OS/Linux, smart diagnostics, DVT, and qualification testing, focusing on executing and documenting results.
• Experience leading firmware development efforts, including code reviews, code analysis tools, managing pull requests, and ensuring high-quality code standards within CI/CD environments.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot and verify complex systems, integrating electromechanical, firmware, host software, and ML algorithms.

Leadership and Execution

• Proven experience in managing complex engineering projects, including architecting solutions, decomposing deliverables, tracking milestones, and ensuring timely execution.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of leading cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact outcomes.
• Expertise in identifying and managing project dependencies across engineering, mechanical, software, and quality assurance teams.
• Ability to autonomously remove roadblocks and mitigate risks to ensure smooth project execution.
• Experience in monitoring team performance, conducting regular reviews, and ensuring alignment with project goals.
• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements to enhance productivity and reduce costs.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills, working effectively with product, manufacturing, regulatory, service, and quality teams to align on architecture, design, and execution.
• Strong ability to facilitate discussions in cross-functional meetings, quickly identifying critical dependencies and ensuring follow-through.
• Experience collaborating with Product Management to define system integration activities and lead usability studies.
• Monitor and track dependencies across teams, obtaining support from Mechanical, software and SQA leadership as necessary.

Communication and Presentation

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to represent the team’s work in various forums and ensure alignment with broader company objectives.
• Experience preparing and participating in comprehensive technical and design reviews, presenting complex technical topics in a clear, concise manner.

  Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence

• Commitment to engineering and operational excellence, with experience establishing metrics for continuous assessment and improvement of team performance.
• Ability to drive productivity enhancements by removing distractions and administrative burdens from engineering teams, enabling a focus on core development activities.

 What is the leadership like for this role? What is the structure and culture of the team?

• You will be joining the R&D Organization and reporting to our Executive Vice President
• The R&D organization is comprised of more than 60 dedicated developers, engineers, and managers with deep expertise who are always willing to help.
• The team culture is one based on building trust, collaboration, on-going development through kindness, authenticity, courage, drive, and fun!

Where is the role located?

This role is based out of the HQ in Waltham, Massachusetts. Due to the nature of our software enabled hardware products, this position requires 80% on-site minimum.

What is the salary range?

The base salary range for this full-time position is $160,000 – $215,000, plus bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in role posting reflect the base salary only, and do not include commission, equity, or benefits.

Benefits

If you want to solve one of the most difficult issues of our time and save lives doing it, you want to work at Evolv. We are passionate, knowing that what we do and how we do it can affect life or death situations for our customers. At Evolv, you will have unparalleled exposure to all aspects of our business, working with a talented team that shares our vision for a safer world. If you are inspired by invention and gain satisfaction from seeing how your work impacts the bigger picture, Evolv will be a great fit.

• Equity is an important component of every compensation package
• Flexible work environment
• Unique culture
• Medical and dental insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Unlimited vacation policy
• $300 per quarter to spend on the perks that are most meaningful to you
• Tuition Reimbursement

Evolv Technology (“Evolv”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace, and all employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law in the locations where we operate. Evolv will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Evolv is committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of the job application process, please connect with us at [email protected].