About Subsense
Subsense is a deep-tech company developing the world’s first non-surgical, bidirectional brain-computer interface powered by plasmonic and magnetoelectric nanoparticles. Our mission is to unlock direct communication between the human brain and AI - starting with medical applications such as stroke recovery and moving toward cognitive enhancement for healthy users. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Subsense brings together leading scientists and engineers to redefine the future of human–machine interaction.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an end-to-end Hardware Engineer with proven, hands-on experience designing and building electromagnetic actuation systems, taking products from concept to prototype through the form of medical devices. You will take the development ownership of the magnetic navigation system, coil systems, and the associated power and control electronics that bring them to life.
This is a high-ownership, strong hands-on engineering role at the intersection of magnetic field generator, electronics, embedded systems, and mechatronics, in a multidisciplinary environment where you will translate concepts into clinically viable hardware.
### Key Responsibilities
Develop and build electromagnetic actuation systems for medical applications, including magnetic navigation platforms and electromagnetic coil assemblies
Design hardware, control loops, and embedded firmware for real-time operation of high-current coil drivers.
Own the prototype development including schematic capture, PCB layout, thermal design, enclosure design, and regulatory compliance (IEC 60601, ISO 13485, EMC)
Build, bring up, integrate and iterate on prototypes and engineering platforms that leads to a medical device product including hardware, firmware, and control software into cohesive, reliable systems
Develop and execute engineering tests to validate system and subsystem performance, safety, and electromagnetic behavior
Support experimental setups, including work in biological and pre-clinical settings
Analyze results and drive design improvements, optimization, and design-for-manufacture
Document designs, verification activities, and test results to support regulatory submissions
### What You'll Bring
Must-have experience
Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, Mechatronics, Magnetic Field Systems, or a closely related field
Demonstrated experience taking an electromagnetic actuation or magnetic navigation system from concept to prototype, ideally for medical use
Strong foundation and hands-on experience in electromagnetic device design and integration such as current control, thermal management, and EMC
Working knowledge of control systems, signal processing, and closed-loop current/field regulation
Familiarity with modeling and simulation tools (MATLAB/Simulink, Python, COMSOL, ANSYS, or similar)
Able to work autonomously and take ownership of a project end-to-end
A generalist mindset, comfortable switching between hardware design, firmware, and mechanical integration
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to partner across scientific, engineering, and clinical teams
Location: Palo Alto and Mountain View lab sites (on-site)
Strong plus
Strong experience developing embedded firmware.
Experience working with microcontrollers, real-time systems, and hardware interfaces.
Experience on rapid prototyping and developing medical devices under IEC 60601 / ISO 13485
Prior work/research experience on magnetic manipulation or magnetically actuated medical device system
Exposure to engineering in biological or clinical settings
Startup mindset: adaptable, resourceful, hands-on, and highly execution-focused
Subsense is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.