Engineering Manager, Device Validation

Flock Safety

• $170K — $220K *
Consumer Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BSEE, BSCE, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Deep proficiency in low-level C programming for hardware and peripheral testing.
  • Strong experience in scripting (Python, Ruby, Bash) for automation and validation tools.
  • Experience with embedded Linux OS and kernel environments.
  • Solid understanding of electronic circuitry and hands-on debugging skills.
  • Expert knowledge of digital communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART).
  • Experience managing test data using RDMS (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL).
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with hardware, software, and cloud teams.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the architecture and execution of hardware validation software across Flock's product line.
  • Bridge collaboration between hardware, low-level OS, and cloud teams to solve integration challenges.
  • Design and implement automated test frameworks.
  • Build and manage a dedicated validation lab at Atlanta HQ.
  • Conduct comprehensive reviews of existing validation processes and lab setup.
  • Contribute to high-level testing framework concepts immediately upon joining.
  • Assume leadership and ownership of product validation efforts and design workstreams.

Benefits

  • Flexible PTO with 11 company holidays.
  • Fully-paid health benefits plan including Medical, Dental, and Vision.
  • 12 weeks of 100% paid parental leave plus additional recovery time for birthing parents.
  • $50,000 lifetime maximum for eligible adoption, surrogacy, or fertility expenses.
  • Mental health benefits including therapy and digital tools through Spring Health.
  • Caregiver support provided through partnership with Cariloop.
  • 1:1 sessions with Equity Tax Advisors for financial guidance.
  • Monthly stipends for WFH and productivity costs.
  • One-time office setup stipend to create a home workspace.
Full Job Description
The Opportunity

Flock Safety is looking for an Engineering Manager to join our Device Software Engineering team. As Flock continues to rapidly expand its suite of public safety technology, this role fills a critical need: leading the architecture and execution of our hardware validation software suite across our entire product line and peripheral components. By bridging the gap between hardware, low-level Linux OS, and cloud teams, you will solve key integration challenges, design automated test frameworks, and build a dedicated validation lab at our Atlanta HQ. Your leadership will directly ensure our mission-critical electronics perform flawlessly in the field to help eliminate crime.

The Skillset
  • Education: BSEE, BSCE, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Low-Level Programming: Deep proficiency in low-level C programming for hardware and peripheral testing.
  • Automation & Scripting: Strong experience in high-level scripting (Python, Ruby, Bash, etc.) for writing shared libraries, test automation, and validation tools.
  • Embedded Linux OS: Experience configuring and building Linux OS distributions (Ubuntu, Debian, Yocto) and working within Linux kernel/driver environments.
  • Hardware & Circuitry Aptitude: Solid understanding of schematics and electronic circuitry with hands-on PCB/electronic system bring-up, debugging, and functional verification.
  • Digital Communication Protocols: Strong to expert knowledge of common digital communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART) in Linux kernel environments.
  • Lab Equipment Mastery: Strong to expert knowledge in using testing and validation lab equipment (Oscilloscopes, Multimeters, Function Generators, E-loads, Thermal Chambers, Spectrum Analyzers, etc.).
  • Test Data Management: Experience using RDMS (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) to create test data stores for high- and low-level analysis.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Strong experience working cross-functionally with hardware, software, and cloud teams during full product development lifecycles.
  • Startup Mindset: Motivated, results-driven leader with strong communication skills, a demonstrable sense of ownership, and comfort working in a fast-paced environment.

Nice to Haves:
  • Linux Kernel/Driver development experience.
  • Experience with modern battery technologies and power management validation.

Feeling uneasy that you haven't ticked every box? That's okay; we've felt that way too. Studies have shown women and minorities are less likely to apply unless they meet all qualifications. We encourage you to break the status quo and apply to roles that would make you excited to come to work every day.

90 Days at Flock

We prescribe to 90 day plans and believe that good days lead to good weeks, which lead to good months. This serves as a preview of the 90 day plan you will receive if you were to be hired in this role at Flock.
  • The First 30 Days:
    • Get acquainted with the company, the team, the mission, and the product/customer experience.
    • Conduct a comprehensive review of current product validation processes and lab setup.
    • Observe the Flock Culture as it applies to your team and your day-to-day experience.
    • Contribute immediately and incrementally to an initial high-level testing framework concept.
  • The First 60 Days:
    • Completely understand the high-level electrical architecture of the existing Flock ecosystem and recognize its role in our highly vertical customer offering.
    • Become involved in ongoing product design efforts-join project standups and related channels to observe Flock's design methodology.
    • Make tangible progress with ongoing product design and validation efforts, as well as lab infrastructure planning.
  • 90 Days & Beyond:
    • Become a true and independent leader within the team, having full ownership of a design workstream and impacting decision-making and cross-functional implementation/productization plans.
    • Demonstrate full proficiency with all Flock development tools and awareness of all Flock development processes.
    • Become highly available and communicative as a technical leader to your immediate team and cross-functional stakeholders.
    • Assume full ownership and responsibility of outcomes to the business-your impact at Flock will strongly influence the health of the business, positive outcomes to customers, and real-time reduction in societal crime.
Salary & Equity

In this role, you'll receive a starting salary between $170,000 and $220,000 as well as Flock Stock Options. Base salary is determined by job-related experience, education/training, as well as market indicators. Your recruiter will discuss this in-depth with you during our first chat.

Location

Due to the hands-on requirements of this position-including direct access to physical hardware, prototype electronics, and setting up our validation lab-this role requires candidates to either be local to Atlanta or willing to relocate to Atlanta to work partially on-site in a hybrid capacity at our Mableton facility.

The Perks
  • Flexible PTO: We offer non-accrual PTO, plus 11 company holidays.
  • Fully-paid health benefits plan for employees: including Medical, Dental, and Vision and an HSA match.
  • 👪 Family Leave: All employees receive 12 weeks of 100% paid parental leave. Birthing parents are eligible for an additional 6-8 weeks of physical recovery time.
  • Fertility & Family Benefits: We have partnered with Maven, a complete digital health benefit for starting and raising a family. Flock will provide a $50,000-lifetime maximum benefit related to eligible adoption, surrogacy, or fertility expenses.
  • Spring Health: Spring Health offers a variety of mental health benefits, including therapy, coaching, medication management, and digital tools, all tailored to each individual's needs.
  • 💖 Caregiver Support: We have partnered with Cariloop to provide our employees with caregiver support.
  • Carta Tax Advisor: Employees receive 1:1 sessions with Equity Tax Advisors who can address individual grants, model tax scenarios, and answer general questions.
  • ERGs: We want all employees to thrive and feel like they belong at Flock. We offer four ERGs today - Women of Flock, Flock Proud, LEOs and Melanin Motion. If you are interested in talking to a representative from one of these, please let your recruiter know.
  • WFH Stipend: $150 per month to cover the costs of working from home.
  • Productivity Stipend: $300 per year to use on Audible, Calm, Masterclass, Duolingo and so much more.
  • Home Office Stipend: A one-time $750 to help you create your dream office.

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