Efficient Computer is seeking a Lead Applications Engineer to bridge the gap between our groundbreaking hardware and real-world customer applications. You will design and implement embedded computing solutions spanning system architecture, board and module design, component selection, and full-stack systems integration - enabling customers to fully leverage Efficient's architecture.
This role sits at the intersection of systems engineering, rapid prototyping, and customer collaboration. You'll work hands-on across hardware and software to quickly turn concepts into functional reference designs and demos that prove out what's possible with our platform. Depending on experience, you may also help shape the direction and practices of the solutions engineering function as a whole.
Key Responsibilities
Systems Engineering & Integration
- Own end-to-end system architecture and integration for customer-facing solutions, ensuring hardware, firmware, and software subsystems work together reliably
- Partner directly with customers to understand their requirements and architect board- and module-level solutions from concept through deployment
- Drive system topology definition, component selection, and design trade-off analysis focused on delivering integrated, working systems
- Identify and resolve cross-domain integration issues spanning electrical, thermal, mechanical, and software boundaries
Rapid Prototyping & Hardware Development
- Rapidly prototype board- and system-level solutions to validate concepts and accelerate customer design cycles
- Lead schematic capture, component selection, and BOM development for reference designs and application-specific boards
- Work with multi-layer PCB designs across signal integrity, power integrity, and DFM requirements; collaborate with layout engineers to ensure designs meet thermal and mechanical constraints
- Evaluate and select processors, SoCs, power delivery architectures, memory subsystems, and peripheral interfaces for each application
Firmware, Drivers & Software
- Develop and optimize firmware and software across embedded computing platforms
- Find, evaluate, adapt, or develop drivers for target hardware; perform driver testing and validation to ensure reliable operation
- Work across the full embedded stack — board design, firmware, drivers, and software — to deliver robust, efficient solutions
Solution Delivery & Customer Enablement
- Develop reference designs, demos, and technical collateral showcasing Efficient's technology in real-world scenarios
- Support customers throughout the development lifecycle, from initial design to final deployment
- Provide field feedback to guide future product improvements and feature development
Team Leadership & Development
- Mentor engineers on systems design, component selection, and customer engagement best practices
- Help define engineering processes, design review standards, and documentation practices
- Contribute to hiring, onboarding, and the technical growth of the team
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
- 8+ years in embedded systems development spanning hardware design, firmware, and software
- Demonstrated ability to architect, integrate, and validate complete embedded systems across hardware and software boundaries
- Hands-on rapid prototyping experience — comfortable moving from concept to working hardware quickly
- Experience with multi-layer PCB design, signal integrity, power integrity, schematic capture, BOM management, and working with layout engineers
- Strong understanding of SoC/processor selection, power delivery, memory architecture, and peripheral interfaces
- Experience finding, adapting, or developing hardware drivers and performing driver validation
- Proven track record in application engineering or customer-facing technical roles
- Excellent communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
- Willingness to travel up to 30%+ of the time
- Note: Certain customer assignments may require U.S. citizenship
Desired Qualifications
- Experience in a prototyping lab or advanced development environment where speed and iteration are paramount
- Background leading or mentoring engineers in customer-facing or cross-functional settings
- Track record building reference designs, developer kits, or evaluation platforms for embedded products
- Deep familiarity with thermal management, mechanical constraints, and DFM/DFA considerations
- Familiarity with performance, power, and efficiency trade-offs in embedded computing
- Ability to work independently in fast-moving, ambiguous environments
Competitive salary generally ranging from $160,000 to $220,000, plus meaningful equity and comprehensive benefits. Final package based on experience and location.