Innovation Electrical Engineer

Description

Whisker is the maker of Litter-Robot, Feeder-Robot, and Litterbox.com. At Whisker, we believe pet parenthood can always get better.

As leading innovators in pet tech and refined pet accessories, we work tirelessly to solve problems and deliver smarter insights for pet parents while enriching the lives of pets. Whether it’s a self-cleaning litter box that automates scooping, an automatic feeder that helps pets develop healthier eating habits, or a modern cat tree that delights both humans and felines, we strive to deliver better solutions for consumers while transforming pet care along the way. To us, having a pet is the best thing ever. At Whisker, life together just keeps getting better.

Whisker is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Juneau, Wisconsin with 600+ passionate team members.

What You’ll Do:

We are seeking a creative and forward-thinking Innovation Electrical Engineer to spearhead cutting-edge R&D projects in pet automation. The role involves developing advanced automation, robotics, and wireless and sensing systems while integrating biosignal sensing and machine learning technologies to revolutionize pet care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.

• Designs, prototypes, and implements advanced motorized and robotic systems for pet automation products.
• Develops and integrates location-tracking technologies for indoor and outdoor environments.
• Innovates biosignal sensing solutions (contact and non-contact) to enhance pet health monitoring.
• Designs and optimizes wireless and cloud communication systems to enable seamless data integration.
• Collaborates with machine learning specialists to embed AI-driven features into devices.
• Conducts feasibility studies, simulations, and testing to ensure product performance and reliability.
• Stays ahead of industry trends to identify new opportunities for technological advancement.
• Works closely with cross-functional teams including mechanical engineers, software developers, and product managers.
• Will perform additional duties as required. 

Requirements

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field and / or equivalent years of experience. 
• 3-5+ years of experience in fast-moving R&D environment with proven experience in automation, robotics, advanced sensing, and wireless communication systems
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency in designing motorized systems and electromechanical subsystems.
  • Expertise in component selection, schematic capture, and PCB layout
  • Proficiency in rapid prototyping, board bring up, debug, and SMT rework
  • Experience with IoT protocols (e.g., BLE, Wi-Fi) and cloud communication platforms.
  • Expertise in biosignal sensing technologies (e.g., ECG, PPG, radar-based systems).
  • Expertise in other sensing technologies (ToF, ultrasonic, vision, audio, force, etc) 
  • Familiarity with machine learning principles and their application in hardware systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced R&D environment.
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Passion for innovation and improving pet care through advanced technology.
• Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information
• Ability to maintain a professional atmosphere in a fast-paced environment with numerous interactions and interruptions
• A high degree of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to motivate others
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Team Members and colleagues
• Comfortable with office pets (cats, dogs) 

Not Required but Nice to Have!

• Experience with FIRST, VEX, or other competitive robotics program
• Experience in developing consumer-grade pet or IoT products.
• Familiarity with energy-efficient system designs for battery-powered devices.
• Knowledge of regulatory standards for pet-related products and biosignal sensing devices.
• Proficiency in simulation tools like MATLAB, Simulink, or COMSOL.
• Hands-on experience with embedded systems programming (e.g., C/C++, Python)
• Understanding of advanced signal processing techniques for biosignals and sensor data.
• Prior experience with agile development processes and rapid prototyping in R&D environments.
• A strong portfolio showcasing innovative projects in automation, robotics, or IoT systems.

Benefits & Purrks:

Join a tenacious, inventive company that empowers team members to chart their own path, lead by grounding decisions in the “why”, and has a strong sense of empathy and openness to new perspectives. Be a part of exciting growth, work with incredible people, and create tomorrow’s pet products—plus a whole lot of extras. You will also be provided with:

• Premium Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Whisker Parents Program
• 1 day "pawternity" leave for new pet adoption
• Pet Insurance Discount
• 401K match
• Flexible spending accounts
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous paid time off
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Top of the line equipment
• Pet-friendly office
• Whisker products and swag
• Continuing education Support
• On-site gym with Peloton
• Referral program

Statement of Inclusivity:

We believe different perspectives make Whisker better and strive to create a place where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.

Please ensure to regularly check your email spam folder for any communication from Whisker to avoid missing important updates regarding your application status.

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