Embedded Electronics Hardware Engineer

Lionel Brands Group LLC · Concord, North Carolina

FULL TIME

Job Description

Job Purpose:

Working in the Engineering Department at Lionel can be described as one of the best jobs in the world. Not only does a typical day involve designing, coding, and testing toy trains; we play with them too!

We create the technology that brings Lionel’s 100-year-old traditions to life through microcontrollers, motor drivers, sensors, wireless communications, lighting, sound, and other embedded technologies. Our products combine sophisticated electronics with the physical world of model railroading—and the engineering challenges are far more complex than most people imagine.

This position will play an important role in developing tomorrow’s Lionel Experience. We are looking for an engineer who is excited not only to solve today’s engineering problems, but also to explore how emerging technologies can create entirely new ways for customers to interact with their trains. Potential areas of innovation include advanced sensors, cameras and video, haptic feedback, wireless connectivity, virtual/augmented reality, motor and motion control, robotics, autonomous systems, and mobile-connected products.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer who enjoys moving between the laboratory, the workbench, the computer, and the finished product. You don’t need to know everything. We are looking for someone with the technical foundation, curiosity, creativity, and drive to learn and turn ideas into working products.

And yes—at Lionel, we still get to play with trains.

Responsibilities

Design, prototype, debug, and validate analog and embedded digital electronic systems.

Develop schematics and PCB layouts with consideration for EMC, signal integrity, manufacturability, reliability, and cost.

Innovate with technologies such as: Cameras and onboard video, Advanced sensors and sensing systems, Haptic feedback, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other wireless technologies, Motor and motion control, Mobile-connected hardware, Virtual / Augmented reality, and Embedded processors and next-gen microcontrollers.

Develop proof-of-concept hardware and rapid prototypes for new product concepts.

Perform hands-on laboratory testing, troubleshooting, circuit modification, and hardware bring-up.

Develop embedded C/C++ code as necessary to support hardware development, bring-up, debugging, and validation.

Work with embedded software and audio engineers to integrate electronics into physical products.

Support manufacturing engineering by testing production samples and diagnosing failed units that are affecting yield.
Support Product Managers by reviewing product manuals for technical accuracy, new functions/features, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Schedule and support EMC testing at third-party laboratories.
Support Bluetooth SIG product registration and Supplier’s Declarations of Conformance (SDoC) as required.

· Support Customer Service Team with training on new products being released and diagnosing corner-case problems.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
5+ years of hands-on experience developing embedded electronic products, including hardware design and PCBA development.

· Strong experience with analog and embedded digital hardware design.

· Experience with microcontrollers and embedded systems.

Working knowledge of embedded C/C++.

· Experience with schematic capture and PCB design/layout.

Strong hands-on laboratory skills, including proficiency with equipment such as Oscilloscope, Electronic load, Digital multimeter, Logic analyzer, Spectrum analyzer, VNA, LISN, EMC probes
Ability to perform fine-pitch component soldering and PCB rework, including approximately 0.5 mm pitch devices.
Experience with microcontroller programming/debugging tools such as PICKit, Atmel ICE, or equivalent.
Ability to read and interpret electronic schematics, datasheets, and technical documentation.

· Proficient in Word, Power Point, Excel (Microsoft VSS a plus)

Preferred Skills

· Experience with Altium Designer or similar PCB design tools.

Experience with RF transceivers and wireless technologies such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Experience with ARM, ESP32, STM32, TI, Microchip, or similar embedded platforms.
Experience with sensors, motor drivers, motion control, or mechatronic systems.
Experience developing products involving cameras, video, imaging, or machine vision.

· Experience with haptic feedback or advanced human-machine interfaces.

Experience with robotics, autonomous vehicles, UAVs, or other autonomous systems.

· Experience integrating embedded hardware with mobile applications.

· Experience with embedded Linux, RTOS, or advanced embedded processors.

Experience with rapid prototyping, 3D printing, CNC, or other hands-on prototyping technology.

· Experience with EMC testing and regulatory certification.

Familiarity with version control systems and engineering change processes.

Core Engineering Competencies

Company	Lionel Brands Group LLC
Location	Concord, North Carolina
Type	FULL TIME
Niche	Applications programmers

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