Job Details

Staff Systems EngineerFull-Time Position | Portland, OregonAbout UsRapta is revolutionizing precision US manufacturing with an agentic native AI Platform trusted by the nation's top defense primes. Backed by top investors and growing 521% year-over-year, we're a Portland-based team building computer vision and robotics technology that keeps America's most critical production lines running flawlessly. If you want to do meaningful work at the intersection of AI and advanced manufacturing, we'd love to meet you.Position OverviewWe're seeking a seasoned Systems Engineer to help build Rapta's Systems Engineering practice. You will work directly with the CTO to own the full hardware integration stack — from industrial robotics, real-time motion control and connected tools through sensor and peripheral interfaces.What You'll DoHelp establish Rapta's Systems Engineering practice — contribute to standards, processes, and team structure as the discipline growsDesign, architect, and integrate industrial hardware systems including edge compute platforms, real time motion control stages, and sensor peripheralsWrite and maintain PLC and industrial control software for motion and automation systemsDevelop hardware-software integration layers across industrial communication protocols (Modbus, OPC-UA, RS-485, GigE, USB3)Define and own hardware interface specifications for sensing and projection peripherals deployed at customer facilitiesDesign and execute systems integration and qualification testing from component level through full-stack validationMaintain rigorous systems engineering documentation: requirements, ICDs, test plans, and deployment runbooksCollaborate with software teams to define clean hardware abstraction boundaries and service contractsWhat We're Looking For15+ years of professional systems engineering experience in industrial or manufacturing environmentsHands‑on expertise in hardware/software co-design , motion control, and industrial automationStrong background in requirements engineering, interface definition, and integration testingComfortable in a factory, a machine shop, and a terminal window — often in the same dayRequired Technical SkillsExpert‑level experience with industrial motion control systems — Modbus RTU/TCP, servo/stepper stage integration, motion controllersExperienced writing scalable PLC and industrial control software (Siemens S7 1200 / Rockwell Control Logix)Deep experience with industrial hardware integration across GigE, USB3, RS-232/485, CAN, OPC-UA, and similar protocolsExperience designing and qualifying sensor and peripheral interface systems for industrial deployment environmentsProficiency in Linux system administration, device driver configuration, and hardware bring‑upInfrastructure‑as‑code experience: Ansible or equivalent for repeatable, scriptable system provisioningExperience defining and executing systems integration test plans and failure analysisHighly Competitive Candidates Will Also BringExperience deploying systems in DOD, defense industrial base, or CMMC -regulated environmentsKnowledge of manufacturing quality standards ( ISO, Six Sigma, IPC )Background in machine vision hardware — optics, lighting design, calibration, and image acquisitionFamiliarity with edge computing constraints — thermal, power, vibration, and air‑gapped network environmentsExposure to AI/ML inference on edge hardware (NVIDIA CUDA runtime, Jetson, RTX‑class compute)Why Join Us?Ground‑floor opportunity to build and own a systems engineering discipline at a high‑growth AI companyMeaningful early‑stage equity at a late seed‑stage company — this is a foundational roleCompetitive compensation and benefits packageDirect access to the CTO and founders; your decisions shape the company's technical trajectoryLocation RequirementsThis position requires full time, 5 days per week in‑office presence at our Portland headquarters. Candidates must be local to the Portland, Oregon metro area or willing to relocate at their expense prior to start. Remote‑only applicants need not apply.Equal OpportunityRapta is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.#J-18808-Ljbffr