LF Audio designs and manufactures premium audio electronics in-house: multi-zone amplifier control systems, wireless remotes and displays, and precision audio measurement instruments for car, marine, and professional install audio. Our products combine custom mixed-signal hardware with ESP32-based firmware, low-latency wireless control, mobile-app connectivity, and over-the-air updates. We obsess over precision, sound quality, and clean engineering.
We are looking for an experienced electronics engineer to help us bring new designs to market faster. You will work directly with the founder across the full hardware lifecycle: simulation, schematic, layout, bring-up, and performance validation.
This is a part-time, 1099 consulting engagement for a seasoned EE who is equally comfortable at the schematic, in the layout tool, and on the bench. You will take designs from concept to validated hardware and shorten the path from prototype to production.
Circuit simulation and analysis. Model and verify power delivery, analog audio signal paths, sensing front-ends, and protection circuits before we commit to fabrication.
Electrical and schematic design. Design mixed-signal circuits around ESP32 / ESP32-S3 microcontrollers: digital volume attenuators, audio ADC/DAC codecs, 16-bit precision sensing front-ends (voltage, temperature, current), power regulation, and 2.4 GHz wireless sections. Select and source components.
PCB layout. Lay out multi-layer boards in KiCad with disciplined analog/digital partitioning, grounding and decoupling, thermal management, EMC awareness, and antenna/RF considerations for wireless products.
Board bring-up and performance testing. Once boards are in hand, characterize and validate them on the bench: audio performance (THD, SNR, frequency response), measurement accuracy and sensor calibration, wireless range and link reliability, power consumption, and thermal behavior. Document results and drive fixes.
Design for manufacturing and reliability. Help refine designs for repeatable, cost-effective small-batch production and long-term field reliability.
Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Electronics Engineering (or a closely related field). A completed degree is required.
Several years of hands-on, full-cycle electronics design experience: schematic capture, PCB layout, bring-up, and debug of real products.
Strong mixed-signal fundamentals: analog signal conditioning, low-noise design, power regulation, ADC/DAC interfacing, grounding, and decoupling.
Proficiency with a professional PCB design tool. KiCad is strongly preferred; experience in Altium, Eagle, or similar is fine if you are willing to work in KiCad.
Circuit simulation experience (SPICE-class tools).
Strong bench skills: oscilloscope, multimeter, signal generator, soldering and rework, and instrument-driven characterization.
Ability to read datasheets, run the numbers, and clearly justify design decisions.
Based within commuting distance of Fullerton, CA (North Orange County) and able to drive to our shop a few times per week.
Audio electronics experience: amplifiers, codecs, low-noise analog, and audio measurement (THD, SNR, frequency response).
Embedded experience with ESP32 / ESP32-S3, Arduino, and PlatformIO, and comfort working at the hardware/firmware boundary.
2.4 GHz RF and wireless experience (Bluetooth/BLE, Wi-Fi, and similar), including layout and range/interference testing.
DSP familiarity (FFT, filtering, signal analysis).
Experience sourcing and assembling through JLCPCB / LCSC / DigiKey / Mouser, and small-batch production.
Engagement type: 1099 independent contractor. You invoice for your time and handle your own taxes; this is not a W-2 position.
Schedule: Part-time, typically a few days per week on-site at our Fullerton shop (231 East Imperial Hwy, Suite 106, Fullerton, CA 92835), with the remaining hours worked remotely from home. Expect more on-site time during board bring-up and testing phases.
Hours: Flexible and scoped by project. We will agree on a cadence that works for both sides.
Tools and equipment: Bench equipment, prototypes, and project files are provided at the shop. You are welcome to use your own tools for remote work.
Confidentiality and IP: A signed consulting agreement and NDA are required. Designs and work product are the property of LF Audio.
Outlook: Ongoing, with room to grow alongside the product roadmap for the right person.
Competitive 1099 hourly rate, commensurate with experience. We will discuss specifics during the interview.