About NeoCharge

NeoCharge is revolutionizing residential energy management and electric vehicle charging through innovative hardware and software solutions. We are dedicated to building smarter, more accessible charging infrastructure that reduces both the carbon footprint and energy costs for end customers. Our flagship product, the Smart Splitter, is transforming how renters and homeowners approach EV charging by providing intelligent energy management solutions that work within existing electrical infrastructure. We're committed to democratizing access to sustainable transportation by making EV charging more affordable and accessible for everyone.

Position Overview

We are seeking an exceptionally experienced Chief Technology Officer who will serve as the sole technical engineer responsible for all hardware development and firmware engineering at NeoCharge. This role requires an individual capable of independently designing, developing, and delivering complete hardware/firmware solutions while simultaneously providing executive technical leadership. The successful candidate will own the entire hardware engineering stack from concept through production, making this an extraordinarily demanding position requiring both deep technical expertise and proven leadership capabilities.

Education Requirements

Required:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution
• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in related engineering field preferred

Experience Requirements

Minimum 8 years of progressive experience required, with specific requirements in:

Startup Environment Experience (Required)

• Minimum 6 years of hands-on engineering experience in early-stage startup environments (companies with fewer than 50 employees)
• Proven experience as the primary or sole hardware engineer responsible for complete product development cycles
• Demonstrated experience scaling engineering capabilities from individual contributor to team leadership in resource-constrained environments
• Experience making critical technical decisions independently with minimal oversight and extreme resource constraints
• Required experience working autonomously on complex technical challenges without extensive engineering support structure

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Experience (Required)

• Minimum 3 years of direct experience in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, residential charging solutions, or electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) development
• Hands-on experience with Level 2 AC charging systems, residential electrical integration, and grid-tied charging solutions
• Deep understanding of National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for EVSE installations and electrical safety compliance
• Proven experience obtaining UL certifications for electrical products, including UL 2594 (EVSE) and related safety standards

Technical Requirements

Hardware Engineering Expertise (Required)

• Advanced proficiency in analog and digital circuit design, including AC power electronics and residential electrical systems
• Extensive experience with PCB design and layout for consumer electronics including FCC/CE compliance and EMC/EMI considerations
• Proven expertise in power management circuits, current/voltage sensing, and electrical protection systems for residential applications
• Experience with thermal management, electrical safety testing, and UL compliance testing protocols
• Hands-on experience with power quality analyzers, electrical safety testers, and residential electrical installation requirements
• Minimum 5 years of mechanical design expertise including enclosure design, thermal analysis, weatherproofing, and mounting systems for outdoor electrical equipment
• Extensive rapid prototyping experience with 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting, and iterative design processes for hardware validation

Firmware/Embedded Systems Expertise (Required)

• Expert-level programming in C/C++ for embedded microcontrollers and real-time systems
• Minimum 5 years hands-on experience with ESP32 microcontroller development, including WiFi/Bluetooth integration, low-power design, and over-the-air update implementation
• Proven experience developing safety-critical firmware systems with electrical safety and reliability requirements
• Advanced knowledge of embedded debugging tools, JTAG, oscilloscopes, and protocol analyzers
• Required expertise in implementing SSL/TLS encryption, certificate management, and secure IoT communication protocols including MQTT over TLS, secure WebSocket connections, and device authentication
• Experience with cryptographic key management, secure boot processes, and vulnerability assessment for connected devices

Leadership and Strategic Requirements (Required)

• Minimum 4 years in technical leadership roles with direct responsibility for complete hardware engineering deliverables
• Proven experience as the sole technical decision-maker for hardware/firmware architecture in startup environments
• Demonstrated ability to hire, mentor, and coordinate with non-technical team members while maintaining hands-on technical responsibilities
• Required experience interfacing with investors, board members, and external partners as the primary technical representative
• Demonstrated ability to establish and execute engineering processes independently without existing infrastructure or engineering management support

Specialized Experience Requirements

Product Development Leadership (Required)

• End-to-end ownership of at least 2 complex hardware/firmware products from concept through volume production
• Experience managing products through UL certification processes and regulatory compliance requirements
• Proven track record of delivering products that meet aggressive cost, performance, and timeline targets
• Experience with design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for test (DFT) methodologies
• Required experience managing international suppliers remotely for both rapid prototyping and full-scale manufacturing operations
• Demonstrated expertise creating detailed technical drawings and mechanical designs suitable for Chinese manufacturing facilities
• Proven experience coordinating complex manufacturing workflows remotely across different time zones and cultural contexts
• Proven experience establishing and operating home laboratory environments for prototype testing, validation, and iterative development
• Experience providing comprehensive design documentation that enables successful prototype and production manufacturing without on-site presence

Industry-Specific Technical Knowledge (Required)

• Deep understanding of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, Level 2 AC charging protocols, and residential electrical integration
• Proven experience with Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) implementation, including OCPP 1.6 and 2.0 specifications for charge point management
• Knowledge of electrical utility integration, demand response systems, and smart grid communication protocols
• Understanding of residential electrical codes, permit requirements, and electrical contractor coordination
• Familiarity with charging network management systems, payment processing integration, and remote monitoring capabilities

Business and Strategic Acumen (Required)

• Demonstrated experience as the sole technical authority contributing to business strategy, competitive analysis, and technology roadmap development
• Understanding of intellectual property strategy, patent portfolio management, and technology licensing as primary technical stakeholder
• Required experience independently managing international manufacturing partnerships remotely for both prototyping and volume production
• Proven experience creating and communicating detailed technical specifications to international suppliers for accurate prototype and production execution
• Experience coordinating quality control and manufacturing processes across international suppliers without on-site presence
• Proven ability to balance technical excellence with commercial viability while working as the only hardware engineering resource across global operations

Additional Qualifications

Preferred Experience

• Previous CTO or VP Engineering role in hardware-focused technology company
• Backend engineering experience with Python, Node.js, or similar server-side technologies
• Cloud architecture expertise with AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure including IoT device management, data analytics pipelines, and scalable API development
• Experience with microservices architecture, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), and DevOps practices for IoT platforms
• Experience with Python-based simulation and modeling tools for electrical and thermal analysis
• Knowledge of machine learning applications in IoT and energy management systems
• Experience with agile development methodologies adapted for hardware development
• International electrical code knowledge and regulatory compliance experience

Professional Requirements

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with international suppliers and manufacturers remotely across cultural and language barriers
• Proven experience creating comprehensive technical documentation including detailed drawings, specifications, and manufacturing instructions for international facilities
• Experience coordinating complex technical projects remotely with international partners across different time zones
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple competing priorities across different time zones
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with data-driven decision-making approach
• Commitment to fostering inclusive, collaborative engineering culture across global teams
• Proficiency in technical drawing software and CAD systems for creating manufacturing-ready documentation

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Own complete hardware/firmware architecture and engineering roadmap as sole technical authority
• Design and develop all hardware solutions from concept through production including circuit design, PCB layout, mechanical design, and firmware implementation
• Establish and maintain engineering processes, quality standards, and technical documentation systems independently
• Make critical technical decisions regarding product architecture, technology selection, and engineering priorities with minimal oversight
• Coordinate with manufacturing partners remotely to ensure design intent is maintained through production

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as primary technical representative to investors, board members, and external partners
• Contribute to business strategy development, competitive analysis, and technology roadmap planning
• Balance technical excellence with commercial viability and time-to-market requirements
• Establish intellectual property strategy and manage patent portfolio as primary technical stakeholder
• Build and lead engineering culture while maintaining hands-on technical contributions

Operations Management

• Manage all aspects of hardware development lifecycle including requirements definition, design validation, testing, and manufacturing coordination
• Coordinate with manufacturing partners remotely to ensure design intent is maintained through production
• Ensure compliance with electrical safety standards, UL certification requirements, and regulatory approvals
• Establish and operate home laboratory environment for prototype testing and validation
• Manage engineering budgets, supplier relationships, and project timelines independently

Location and Compensation

• Must be located in California or willing to relocate at own expense - no relocation benefits provided
• This is a hybrid on-site and remote position with occasional international travel requirements
• Must have capability to establish and operate a home laboratory environment for functional prototype testing and validation
• Extensive remote coordination with international prototyping and manufacturing facilities required for product development
• Infrequent travel to India may be required for manufacturing oversight and production quality management
• Must possess valid passport and ability to obtain necessary visas for international travel when required
• Must demonstrate capability to communicate effectively with international suppliers remotely including providing technical drawings and mechanical designs
• Compensation Range: $120,000 - $240,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications
• Equity participation and benefits package included

Security and Compliance

• Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship restrictions for this position
• Ability to obtain security clearances if required for government or defense-related projects
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of proprietary technologies and competitive information

How to Apply

Please submit your resume along with a cover letter to jobs@getnecharge.com, specifically addressing:

1. Your experience as the sole hardware engineer in startup environments
2. Specific examples of EV charging or EVSE product development
3. Experience managing international manufacturing partnerships remotely
4. Details of products you've taken from concept through UL certification and volume production

This position requires an exceptional combination of deep technical expertise, proven leadership capabilities, and specific industry experience that can only be gained through extensive hands-on work in startup environments and the electric vehicle sector.