Embedded/EV Charging Hardware Engineer

Job ID: 40303041

Budget: $2 – $8 USD

I am launching an EV charging infrastructure start-up focused initially on Brazil (Florianópolis/Santa Catarina) and am looking for a hardware/embedded systems specialist to help guide the technical development of our charging hardware architecture.

This is initially a consulting/advisory role, helping coordinate between external consultants, firmware providers, and hardware manufacturers. The role, in coordination with other team members would largely be responsible for producing a high-quality hardware MVP for market.

The goal is to design and validate the hardware architecture for AC Level 2 (22kW) EV chargers and ensure the system is robust, scalable, and compliant with relevant standards. Due to a lack of suitable options, I would like to manufacture and design our own units, in consultation with external expertise and manufacturers.

This is not purely a firmware role - I’m looking for someone who understands the full EV charger hardware stack, including controller boards, communications, and electrical architecture.

Responsibilities

You would help with:

• Advising on EV charger hardware architecture (AC Level 2/22kW chargers)
• Reviewing and coordinating electrical design and component selection
• Ensuring chargers meet necessary regulatory technical and certification requirements
• Working with external vendors providing:
- EVSE controller boards
- firmware stacks
- communication modules
- OEM/manufacturing services
• Helping evaluate and integrate components including:
- controller boards
- power stage components
- metering systems
- protection systems (RCD, surge protection, etc.)
- enclosure design
- electrical design
• Advising on communications architecture, including:
- OCPP integration
- ISO 15118/PLC communication (if applicable)
- networking modules (4G/Ethernet/WiFi)
• Acting as a technical bridge between hardware manufacturers and software developers
• Helping ensure the design can meet relevant EV charging standards
• Providing technical input when sourcing hardware manufacturers/OEM partners

Example Architecture

The current concept stack includes:

Hardware:
- EVSE enclosure
- power stage
- protection circuits
- controller board
- communication modules

Software/system layer:
- safety firmware
- Linux-based EV charging stack (e.g. EVerest)
- OCPP communication with backend

The goal is to assemble and integrate existing components, not necessarily design every element from scratch.

Ideal Experience

Strong preference for engineers with experience in EV charging or similar power electronics systems.

Relevant experience may include:

• EV charger/EVSE development
• embedded systems engineering
• mechanical engineering
• power electronics or electrical design
• controller board integration
• EV charging communication protocols
• industrial IoT hardware

Experience with any of the following is a plus:

- OCPP
- ISO 15118
- PLC communication
- EVerest or similar charging stacks
- EVSE controller boards
- Linux embedded systems
- IEC/EV charging standards
- CAD and MVP prototyping

Engagement

Initially looking for:

• Advisory/consulting engagement
• Helping shape architecture and technical decisions
• Periodic technical reviews and coordination

Estimated involvement:

~5-20 hours per week initially (flexible)

Potential to expand into a longer-term technical lead role as the project develops.

About the Project

This is an early-stage infrastructure start-up focused on destination EV charging, initially deploying 22kW AC charging stations.

The project will involve coordinating with:
- hardware manufacturers
- firmware providers
- electrical engineers
- backend software developers

The objective is to build a robust, scalable EV charging infra/platform