Position:
Hardware Engineer / (Jr. / Sr. / Lead)
Location:
Karlsruhe, Germany (30% Hybrid)
Type:
Full-time
Salary:
depending on experience
Company:
fully funded StartUp with extensive runway
IMPORTANT - READ BEFORE APPLYING:
Due to the nature of this role, candidates must be
eligible to obtain NATO security clearance
, which typically requires:
* Citizenship of a NATO member country
(as of 2025: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States. )
* A clean criminal record
* The ability to
pass background checks
and vetting procedures conducted by national authorities
About Us
We are developing the VISSBOX - a revolutionary ultra-portable cybersecurity device that provides hardware-isolated protection, based on the patented VISS Technology.
Think "premium security hardware meets everyday carry" - a cigarette pack-sized device that delivers military-grade isolation; basically, "The Condom for your PC"
Winner German StartUp Cup for Cybersecurity.
Fully funded by German Government.
The Challenge
Design and build a production-ready hardware security appliance that combines:
* Triple-layer isolation
(physical air-gap + electrical isolation + hypervisor)
* Ultra-miniaturization
(Cigarette Pack Size)
* Premium materials
(titanium-grade aluminum, sapphire glass)
* 3+ hour battery life
in an ultra-compact form factor
* Competitive target price
at volume production
Position Overview
You will be the
hands-on lead
for the hardware development - from concept to production. This role combines deep technical expertise with product leadership, requiring someone who can both design complex isolation circuits AND drive the product to market.
Core Responsibilities
Hardware Architecture & Design (40%)
* System Architecture
: Design complete electrical isolation between three processing modules
* Power Management
: Engineer ultra-efficient power systems for 3+ hour battery life
* Miniaturization
: Achieve cigarette pack form factor without compromising security
* Isolation Design
: Implement medical-grade electrical isolation (4kV+) using optical/magnetic coupling
* Thermal Management
: Solve heat dissipation in ultra-compact enclosure
* Component Selection
: Balance performance, cost, and availability for competitive target price
PCB Design & Manufacturing (25%)
* High-Density PCB
: Design complex 8+ layer boards with isolation barriers
* Signal Integrity
: Ensure clean power and high-speed signals in compact layout
* Manufacturing Optimization
: DFM optimization for European PCB manufacturers
* Prototype Iteration
: Lead 3-4 hardware revisions from concept to production
* Supply Chain
: Establish relationships with German/EU component suppliers
Integration & Testing (20%)
* System Integration
: Coordinate hardware with firmware and software teams
* Isolation Validation
: Prove security barriers meet the specification
* Compliance Testing
: EMC, safety, and regulatory certification
* Production Testing
: Design automated test procedures for manufacturing
Technical Leadership (15%)
* Cross-functional Coordination
: Work with firmware, software, and mechanical teams
* Vendor Management
: Manage relationships with PCB houses, component suppliers, and assembly partners
* Documentation
: Create production documentation, test procedures, and compliance reports
* Technical Reviews
: Lead design reviews and risk assessments
Required Technical Expertise
Essential Hard Skills
* Advanced PCB Design
: 8+ layer boards, high-speed digital, power integrity
* Power Management
: Buck/boost converters, battery management systems, isolation
* Embedded Systems
: ARM processors, microcontrollers, system integration
* Isolation Design
: Optical isolators, isolated power supplies, safety standards
* Production Experience
: DFM, DFT, manufacturing processes, supply chain
Specific Technologies
* Design Tools
: Altium Designer or KiCad (expert level)
* Processors
: ARM Cortex-A series, Raspberry Pi Compute Module experience
* Power ICs
: TI, Analog Devices switching regulators and battery management
* Communication
: USB 3.0, HDMI, high-speed digital interfaces
* Compliance
: CE marking, EMC testing, safety standards (IEC 60950)
Security Hardware Experience
(Highly Preferred)
* Hardware security modules (HSM)
* Air-gap systems or isolated networks
* Military/aerospace security standards
* Tamper-resistant design
* Secure boot and hardware attestation
Experience Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
* Education
: BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related field
* Experience
: 7+ years hardware design
* Product Development
: Complete product lifecycle from concept to market
* Language:
English (Fluent) ; German (at least B1)
Preferred Background
* Startup Experience
: Early-stage product development in resource-constrained environment
* Security Industry
: Cybersecurity, defense, or financial security products
* Miniaturization
: Ultra-compact devices, wearables, or mobile electronics
* Premium Products
: High-end consumer or professional electronics
* Compliance
: Medical devices, automotive, or safety-critical systems
* Regulatory Experience
: CE/FCC certification process
* German/EU Manufacturing
: Experience with European supply chains preferred
Required Soft Skills & Traits
Technical Leadership
* Systems Thinking
: Ability to see big picture while managing complex details
* Problem Solving
: Creative solutions under tight constraints (size, power, cost)
* Quality Focus
: Obsessive attention to detail and manufacturing quality
* Risk Management
: Identify and mitigate technical and business risks
Communication & Collaboration
* Cross-functional
: Work effectively with firmware, software, mechanical teams
* Stakeholder Management
: Communicate technical concepts to non-technical leadership
* Documentation
: Clear technical writing for internal and external audiences
* German/English
: Fluent in both languages preferred
Entrepreneurial Mindset
* Resource Optimization
: Achieve ambitious goals with limited budget
* Speed to Market
: Balance thorough engineering with rapid iteration
* Customer Focus
: Design for real-world user needs, not just technical elegance
* Business Awareness
: Understand cost implications of design decisions
What Makes This Role Unique
Technical Challenges
* Cutting-edge Security
: Implementing hardware isolation that rivals military systems
* Extreme Miniaturization
: Engineering challenges typically seen in smartphones
* Power Optimization
: Achieving laptop-class functionality in a battery-powered device
* Cost Optimization
: Premium features at accessible price point
Market Impact
* First of Its Kind
: Creating entirely new product category
* Cybersecurity Revolution
: Making enterprise-grade security accessible
* Technical Innovation
: Patents and industry recognition likely
* Business Building
: Ground floor opportunity in growing cybersecurity market
Career Growth
* Technical Leadership
: Architect and lead entire hardware team as company grows
* Industry Recognition
: Speak at conferences, publish papers on security hardware
* Startup Equity
: Ownership stake in potentially valuable company
* Learning Opportunity
: Exposure to cybersecurity, miniaturization, and premium hardware design
Compensation & Benefits
Base Compensation
* Base Salary
+/- at
TVÖD Level
(Regulated Scale e.g. for Researchers)
* Equity
: 0.25% - 1.25% depending on experience and role scope (After Employment)
Benefits
* Hardware Budget
: build your Lab
* Conference/Training
: for professional development
* Flexible Work
: 30% Hybrid
Equipment & Tools
* Test Equipment
: Build your lab from Oscilloscope, logic analyzer, power supplies, etc.
* Development Hardware
: Unlimited budget for prototyping and testing
* Software Licenses
: Altium Designer, MATLAB, simulation tools, etc.
Application Process
Portfolio Recommendations
Please include:
1. Hardware Portfolio
: 2-3 products you've taken from concept to production
2. PCB Designs
: Screenshots of complex board layouts you've designed
3. Technical Challenges
: Specific examples of miniaturization or power optimization
4. Isolation Experience
: Any work with safety-critical or secure systems
Interview Process
1. Personal Fit
(30min)
2. Technical Portfolio Review
3. Show me something awesome (60 minutes)
4. Leadership Interview
5. Product vision and business alignment (45 minutes)
6. Reference Checks
with previous hardware development colleagues
Ready to Build the Future of Cybersecurity?
The VISSBOX represents the intersection of three massive trends: increasing cyber threats, demand for portable security, and miniaturization of powerful computing. You'll be the technical architect of a product that could define a new category of security hardware.
If you're excited about solving hard technical problems while building a business, we want to hear from you.
Apply now with your portfolio and a brief note about why this challenge excites you.
Email:
Equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified candidates encouraged to apply regardless of background.