Embedded Systems Engineer – IoT Hardware
📍 Lisbon, Portugal (Hybrid/Flexible)
💼 Full-time | Experienced | R&D + Product
🚀 Start: ASAP
About PaperWeight AI
At PaperWeight AI, we're transforming retail infrastructure with ultra-thin, intelligent shelf sensors. Our paper-based, camera-free platform turns every shelf into a data generating IOT device and delivers real-time inventory visibility—without shelf replacements, environmental compromise, or complex installs. We’ve launched pilots with leading retailers and are preparing for our global expansion.
We’re looking for an Embedded Systems Engineer with a strong hands-on background in Electronics, who thrives on building, optimizing, and iterating in a high-velocity R&D environment.
What You’ll Do
You’ll work closely with our Head of Engineering, and expert technical advisors to bring our core sensing devices from lab to scale. You will take ownership of electronics development across prototyping, optimization, validation, and manufacturing-readiness.
Your Core Responsibilities
* Design and optimize low-power analog and digital circuits
* Hands-on prototyping, soldering, and bring-up
* Develop, lay out, and iterate on custom PCBs
* Select and source components with performance, cost, longevity, and power in mind
* Collaborate on sensor integration (force, pressure, weight, etc.)
* Debug hardware in the lab (oscilloscopes, multimeters, logic analyzers)
* Develop test jigs and validation routines for QA and reliability testing
* Interface with mechanical, firmware, and manufacturing partners
* Support transition from R&D to DFM/DFA-ready product
* Understand IoT system architecture and ability to interface with firmware and cloud teams for end-to-end device functionality
* Participate in field installations
What You Bring
* BSc or higher degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field
* 3+ years of experience in electronics design in an R&D or prototyping environment
* Strong background in PCB layout, power management, and component selection
* Experience with sensor interfaces, signal acquisition, and calibration
* Comfortable debugging hardware and building quick iterations in the lab
* Willingness to travel internationally
Bonus points for experience with:
* Embedded electronics or hardware systems development
* BLE/LoRa and embedded communication protocols
* Low-power design principles (especially battery-powered systems)
* Flexible or printed electronics
* Ultra-thin or space-constrained product design
* Manufacturing hand-off and working with fabrication houses
Who You Are
* You thrive in a startup R&D setting
* You can own your domain and work across disciplines
* You’re curious, pragmatic, and biased toward real-world performance
* Proficient in English – oral/written
* Able to work and interface with other disciplines, production partners, and technical mentors
* Strong project management capabilities
What We Offer
* A chance to build cutting-edge hardware in a live, scaling product
* A small, fast-moving team with full ownership and deep domain expertise
* Compensation includes salary + equity
* Flexible working style, based in Lisbon/Caparica
* A direct role in building the future of real-time retail sensing