Lead Embedded Hardware Engineer - Canada
About Very
(Remote – Canada)
Very is a fully distributed technology firm led by expert problem-solvers who create efficient, scalable solutions that move commercial, industrial, and consumer products from pilot to production in record time.
We believe that real innovation happens in the grind — working shoulder to shoulder with clients who are building the future. Our team thrives on that energy. When we’re not helping clients deliver business-critical outcomes, we’re refining our craft and celebrating what it means to do hard things well.
We’ve built a collaborative, tight-knit culture that thrives in both remote and in-person settings. We’ve won numerous workplace awards over the years, including Great Place to Work certification and recognition from Parity.org as a Best Company for Women to Advance.
Our clients include well-known brands like Vizio, Peloton, Clear, iHeart Radio, and Fellowes — all determined to leverage connected devices and AI to drive meaningful impact. Our job is simple: help them win.
About This Role
As a Lead Embedded Hardware Engineer at Very, you will work closely with our Software, Hardware, and Product Design teams to deliver full-service solutions for our clients. We specialize in end-to-end hardware and software systems that solve real business problems, with electrical design and system reliability at the core of our work.
The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in electrical system architecture, schematic design, and board-level development, along with a strong understanding of how electrical decisions impact manufacturability, reliability, and product performance. You will be expected to communicate effectively across disciplines, clearly presenting design decisions, tradeoffs, and risks to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Successful candidates will have experience translating business and product requirements into robust electrical designs, collaborating in interdisciplinary teams, and supporting designs from early concept through production and scale.
This role focuses on embedded electronics and PCB development for connected devices, not large-scale electrical infrastructure such as substations, building electrical systems, or industrial power distribution.
What You’ll Be Working On
In this role, you can expect to work with the following technologies:
- Embedded microcontrollers such as ARM Cortex platforms or ESP32
- Embedded hardware interfaces and digital communication protocols (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART)
- Wireless communication hardware (Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular, subGig)
- AC and DC power, as well as battery power (including low power design for batteries
- Familiarity with embedded firmware environments (Bare Metal C, RTOS, or embedded Linux) is helpful but not required. (you will not be expected to ship firmware in this role)
Additionally, Very leverages the following tools for hardware engineering:
- Altium
- PCB mill
- Electrical diagnostic tools (oscilloscopes, DMMs, logic analyzers, etc)
Responsibilities
- Personally bringing up, debugging, and validating hardware prototypes
- Designing custom PCBAs from concept through production
- Performing thorough electrical validation and troubleshooting
- Using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other diagnostic tools to debug and validate hardware designs
- Ensuring designs are production-ready before handoff to manufacturing
- Architecting the electrical sub-system on new IoT products
- Interacting with contract manufacturers to get your designs into mass production
- You will own hardware designs end-to-end, from early architecture through prototype validation and production readiness.
Qualifications
Unfortunately, applicants who do not meet these criteria will not be considered.
Required
- BS or higher in Electrical Engineering or closely related field
- 5+ years of experience
- Primary residence in the continental US (to facilitate overnight shipping to our clients and the majority of our software team).
Nice-to-have
- 7+ years of experience
- M.S. in Electrical Engineering or closely related field
This position is open to only to candidates who reside in Canada and are legally authorized to work in Canada on a permanent basis. (We do not offer visa sponsorship of work permit support)
At this time, we are unable to consider applicants who reside in the province of Québec.
Compensation
CAD $93,000–$98,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
Variable Compensation:
Up to 15%.
**Note: This role is based in Canada, you must have a valid work permit.
We do not sponsor work visas.
Perks & Benefits:
- Group RRSP match (Employer contributes 4% of your annual income)
- Extended healthcare, dental, and vision insurance
- $150 USD/mo cell/internet stipend
- $600 USD/yr home office equipment stipend
- Continuing education stipend ($2,500 USD/yr after one year)
- Loaned MacBook Pro and other necessary equipment
Why Work for Very
We do not promise an easy ride — we promise meaningful work.
We work hard because our clients’ success depends on it, and we take pride in delivering when others can’t. We collaborate closely, move fast, and stay grounded in results. We take joy in the process — in the problem-solving, the iteration, and the shared wins that come from doing the hard things well.
If you’re looking for a place where every project matters, where the standards are high, and where you’ll grow by pushing yourself and others — welcome to Very.
IMPORTANT:
1. We don't currently provide Visa Sponsorship. Don't apply if you require it now or will require it in the future.
2. This job is remote but if you’re not located in the region or country mentioned in the post’s title, do not continue. Your application won’t be reviewed.
Interviewing for a new company is a serious time commitment for all parties involved. Please take the time to read this and thoughtfully consider if we would be a good fit for one another. No contractors or agencies. Seriously. #LI-Remote