Senior Hardware Engineer

As a Senior Hardware Engineer at HyperSpectral, you will play a critical role in scaling our hardware development, optimization, and supply chain processes. Working out of our space at The MIT Engine in Cambridge, MA, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including research scientists, software engineers, and AI specialists—to refine our proprietary hardware and integrate it with our advanced spectral data analysis platform. This position is ideal for an experienced engineer who can balance hands-on, day-to-day engineering work with broader organizational support, including hardware design,QA/QC, cost optimization, and vendor coordination. You’ll help drive hardware initiatives forward in alignment with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Hardware Development & Integration
• Refine and optimize spectrographic acquisition systems (e.g., hyperspectral imagers, Raman spectrometers, microscopes, and other spectroscopic technologies), ensuring seamless integration with HyperSpectral’s AI software stack.
• Draft comprehensive hardware design verification test (DVT) plans to conduct repeatable testing and calibration to validate device reliability and data consistency, proactively identifying and addressing performance variances.
• Collaborate with research and product development teams to explore new hardware configurations and incorporate emerging technologies.


• Supply Chain & Cost Management
• Work with the leadership team to manage vendor relationships and ensure timely acquisition of hardware components.
• Identify opportunities to reduce device production costs without compromising on quality or performance.
• Develop and track key metrics around component sourcing, pricing, and quality to support data-driven decision-making.


• Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance
• Oversee hardware QA/QC protocols, including documentation of testing standards and compliance with FDA, UL, and other relevant regulations.
• Assess and mitigate risks related to hardware reliability, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Help establish best practices and SOPs that ensure consistency in hardware performance from one machine to another.
• Maintain accurate bill of materials (BOMs) and revision control to ensure traceability of all hardware revisions in the field.


• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with AI and software teams to ensure optimal integration between hardware components and HyperSpectral’s data workflows.
• Provide technical support to internal teams and external customers, troubleshooting hardware and offering guidance on best use practices.
• Work closely with the executive and product teams to align hardware milestones with company objectives and customer needs.


• Technical Leadership & Documentation
• Mentor junior engineers or technicians in practical hardware design, integration, and test.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of hardware designs, testing protocols, manufacturing guidelines, revision control, and root cause analysis[EM4] .
• Contribute to roadmapping hardware improvements and new feature development in collaboration with senior leadership.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, optical engineering, or related field. 
• 5+ years of hands-on hardware engineering experience (spectroscopy, imaging systems, robotics, or embedded systems preferred). 
• Proven track record in hardware design, integration, calibration, and troubleshooting in a lab or industrial setting. 
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance standards (FDA, UL, CE, etc.) and quality management practices. 
• Experience in cost-optimization strategies, supply chain coordination, or vendor management is a strong plus. 
• Excellent project management skills: ability to juggle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse stakeholders. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Startup or high-growth R&D environment experience.
• Familiarity with machine learning applications in hardware or spectral data.
• Understanding of advanced spectroscopic techniques (e.g., HPLC, ICP-MS, AES, hyperspectral imaging, Raman spectroscopy).
• Experience managing hardware budgets, procurement, and vendor relationships.

Physical and Work Requirements