Electrical Engineer Beginning Jobs in Washington

Valinor is a new type of defense and government tech company focused on solving the problems others don't. Our unique model of centralized go-to-market and decentralized engineering allows us to move with unparalleled efficiency to identify unmet needs, build right-sized solutions, and get products where they matter most - in the hands of users. Unlike others in the space, who focus on the flashy problems, Valinor exists to solve the quiet, unaddressed problems-the small but significant ones that lead to cracks in the country's strength, stability, and security.

Backed by General Catalyst, Founders Fund, and Friends & Family Capital, Valinor was founded in 2024 and has established strategic partnerships with Palantir, Anduril, and Helsing. We are building the dream team, and we want you on it.

Valinor Reflex is seeking an Electrical Engineer to own key parts of the electronics behind its next-generation smart optics system, from circuit board design and PCB layout to hands-on assembly, sensor integration, board bring-up, and firmware/software for hardware control.

This is a hands-on role for someone who can work shoulder-to-shoulder with mechanical and software engineers on a small engineering team building AI-enabled wearables for mission-critical environments. You’ll help move the system from prototype to field-ready hardware and establish the electrical design standards the team will build on.

• Design and develop circuit boards for Reflex hardware, including both schematic and layout

• Build, assemble, test, and debug electronic devices, including glasses and peripheral hardware

• Work hands-on with compact PCB assemblies, small components, stencils, and fine-pitch parts

• Select parts and help shape system level design including power management, board-level architecture, and overall function of devices

• Evaluate sensors, electronic components, and new hardware integrations for future product capabilities

• Write firmware and software for hardware control, testing, debugging, and device operation

• Support board bring-up, failure analysis, and fast iteration across prototype builds

• Collaborate closely with the mechanical engineering team to integrate electronics into wearable form factors

• Help move hardware quickly from early prototype to functional, field-ready systems

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field

• 2–4 years of electrical engineering experience, ideally with hands-on hardware development

• Experience building electronic devices, circuit boards, or hardware prototypes

• Strong experience designing PCBs, including schematic capture and layout

• Comfort assembling, soldering, testing, and debugging boards by hand

• Experience working with small components, ideally down to 0402-level parts, stencils, and small-pitch components

• Experience with firmware or software for hardware control, testing, or embedded systems

• Ability to select components, evaluate electrical tradeoffs, and contribute to power management design

• Comfort using bench equipment, debugging hardware issues, and working through prototype ambiguity

• Experience working closely with mechanical engineers or integrating electronics into physical products

• Competitive salary, equity packages, and benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance - fully covered for employees, 401K, development stipends, among others.

• Unlimited PTO and two-week company holiday at the end of every calendar year.

• We are a pro-mental health and pro-family company - we actually encourage employees to spend time with themselves and their families. Valinor also provides fertility benefits to those just beginning that journey.

• Fun work environment - we like to laugh and take care of each other, but we also deeply respect the mission in front of us.

This role requires the candidate be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Active clearance preferred.

Valinor is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Valinor team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense and government technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you are someone passionate about working on problems that have a real‑world impact, we'd love to hear from you!