Electrical Engineer – Embedded Systems & Product Development

Position Summary

AquaStar Pool Products, Inc., a leading U.S. manufacturer of high-quality pool and spa products, is seeking a hands-on Electrical Engineer to develop embedded hardware and firmware for pool and spa equipment. Reporting to the Director of Engineering, this position supports products from concept through production, including variable-speed pumps, underwater LED lighting, spa controls, ozone sanitation systems, and automation interfaces. The role requires strong circuit design and firmware skills, practical problem solving, and the ability to learn new technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Embedded Hardware Design: Design and develop microcontroller-based electronics, including technical requirements, schematics, PCB layouts, and prototypes. Test and troubleshoot new circuit boards and maintain supporting design documentation.
• Firmware Development: Develop, modify, and debug embedded firmware and integrate it with hardware to meet product requirements.
• Testing & Validation: Test hardware, firmware, and complete systems; design and build engineering and production test fixtures; document test procedures and results.
• Product Development & Release: Work with mechanical engineering, product management, vendors, and manufacturing partners to move designs from concept through production release.
• Compliance Support: Support product safety, regulatory, and certification testing, including applicable UL, CSA, FCC, and CE requirements.
• Production & Field Support: Investigate production, field, and warranty issues; perform failure analysis and recommend design or process improvements to improve product reliability.
• Documentation & Technical Ownership: Maintain electrical design files, bills of materials, and released revisions. Take ownership of technical issues across hardware, firmware, testing, and manufacturing, and communicate findings and next steps.

Qualifications / Experience

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field, and at least 5 years of professional electrical engineering experience.
• Embedded Design: Strong experience in both embedded hardware and firmware development, including microcontroller-based products, schematic capture, PCB design, and programming in C or similar embedded languages.
• Troubleshooting & Lab Skills: Ability to prototype and debug hardware and firmware using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies, function generators, and in-circuit debuggers.
• Communication Protocols: Familiarity with I2C, SPI, UART, RS-485, USB, or similar embedded interfaces.
• Problem Solving & Collaboration: Ability to work independently, resolve open-ended technical problems, document work clearly, and collaborate with engineers, technicians, vendors, contract manufacturers, and product managers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Design Tools & Platforms: Experience with Microchip, ESP32, ARM-based platforms such as STM32, NXP, TI, or similar technologies; Altium Designer or comparable PCB software; and LTspice or other circuit simulation tools.
• Circuits & Controls: Experience with analog circuits, sensors, op-amps, data converters, voltage references, motor controls, power electronics, FETs, circuit protection, or safety-related design.
• Connectivity: Experience with RS-485, Modbus, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wired and wireless communication systems.
• Product Reliability & Manufacturing: Experience with compliance testing, automated production tests, contract manufacturing support, thermal management, outdoor or wet-environment products, consumer equipment, or reliability improvement projects.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• This is a fully onsite role based at AquaStar Pool Products’ facility in Ventura, CA.
• The position involves regular use of computers, electronic lab equipment, and prototypes, along with activity in laboratory and production areas; reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable qualified individuals to perform essential job functions.

Compensation

This position is salaried and exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and California labor law. Compensation is based on experience and qualifications.

Expected Pay Range:
$130,000 – $170,000 annually

This range reflects the anticipated base salary for a full-time, exempt employee in Ventura County, California. Actual compensation may vary depending on relevant experience.

This position is eligible for:

• Health Insurance
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution

Additional Information

AquaStar Pool Products, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

AquaStar Pool Products, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.