Hardware Engineer

Description

Kela is a defense technology startup pioneering next-generation defense technology, from command & control software to complete field-deployed systems. We empower defense organizations with robust, scalable, and secure platforms that integrate diverse sensors and AI to deliver real-time battlefield intelligence. Backed by leading investors, Kela combines Israeli innovation with global mission impact.

As a Hardware Engineer, you'll be the hands-on board designer who takes our electronics from schematic to fielded hardware. You'll own the design of ruggedized boards — power conversion, EMI/EMC front ends, interface and interlock circuits — bring them up on the bench, and carry them through qualification and into serial production. You'll work closely with systems, mechanical, and software teams, and oversee the board-design work of our subcontractors.

Responsibilities

• Own board design end to end: architecture, schematic, layout, fab and assembly handoff, bring-up.
• Design power stages for military vehicle power: DC/DC conversion, input protection, transient survival.
• Design EMI/EMC filtering and grounding to MIL-STD requirements.
• Design discrete-signal and interlock circuits, including safety-related interfaces.
• Select components for harsh environments, availability, and lead time; own the BOM.
• Build and run board-level lab tests: bring-up, pre-compliance, environmental screening.
• Own the qualification path (MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-1275, MIL-STD-810) with external labs.
• Oversee subcontracted board designers and review their deliverables.
• Support the transition to serial production: DFM, test coverage, first-article inspection.

Requirements

• 7+ years of hands-on board design (schematic and layout) in leading companies.
• BSc in Electrical Engineering.
• Boards you designed reached production and shipped.
• Practical power-electronics experience: DC/DC design or integration, protection circuits.
• EMI/EMC design practice and pre-compliance testing experience.
• Full lab fluency: scopes, electronic loads, transient generators.

Advantages

• Defense or military vehicle electronics background.
• MIL-STD-461 / MIL-STD-1275 qualification experience.
• Video or high-speed interface design experience.
• Embedded compute (carrier/SoM) integration experience.
• Experience overseeing subcontractors or an external design house.