EMC Compliance Engineer
Neuralink · Austin · $71,000–$191,000 (stated in the posting)
About Neuralink:
We are creating devices that enable a bi-directional interface with the brain. These devices allow us to restore movement to the paralyzed, restore sight to the blind, and revolutionize how humans interact with their digital world.
Team Description:
Join the Translational Team, where we generate the data that advances Neuralink’s brain–computer interface technologies from research and development through clinical evaluation and into market implementation. We produce the rigorous evidence required to support rapid development, regulatory progress, and the safe, effective delivery of our technology to patients.
Job Description and Responsibilities:
The EMC Compliance Engineer will own EMC compliance strategy, test planning, execution, debugging, and documentation across implantable electronics, surgical robotics, external wireless charging systems, and manufacturing. Responsibilities include:
- Work directly with hardware, firmware, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory teams to identify EMC risks early in the design cycle, drive robust design mitigations (grounding, shielding, filtering, isolation, PCB layout and stackups), and support design reviews to imprint good EMC design practices.
- Own EMC and RF impact assessments for design changes within the medical device design control process; evaluate effects on emissions, immunity, wireless performance, and coexistence; determine re-test or analysis needs; and update risk assessments, protocols, and design documentation to maintain ongoing compliance.
- Develop and expand internal EMC test capabilities, including test setups, fixtures, measurement methods, equipment selection/qualification, and processes that enable rapid design iteration and reduce reliance on external laboratories.
- Own end-to-end EMC compliance strategy and plan/execute pre-compliance and formal EMC testing (conducted/radiated emissions, immunity, ESD, EFT, surge, voltage dips/interruptions, and wireless coexistence) for implantable electronics, surgical robotics, external wireless charging systems, and manufacturing line equipment, in accordance with IEC 60601-1-2, FCC Part 18, and related IEC 61000-series standards.
- Debug EMC failures at the bench and in test labs using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, near-field probes, current probes, LISNs, VNAs, ESD guns, RF amplifiers, signal generators, data loggers, and custom fixtures; perform root cause analysis and recommend effective mitigations.
- Develop, execute, and maintain EMC test protocols, test reports, setup diagrams, deviations, engineering rationales, risk assessments, and requirement traceability for complex systems involving implants, chargers, and robots.
- Partner with external NRTL and EMC test laboratories (e.g., UL, TÜV, Intertek) for formal testing and certification; own interactions with regulatory bodies (e.g., FDA, notified bodies) regarding EMC and RF data, test strategies, and responses; and contribute EMC data and documentation to regulatory submissions (IDE, PMA, etc.).
- Own ESD control strategy for manufacturing lines, including workstation qualification, grounding verification, ionization, packaging, handling procedures, operator controls, equipment qualification, audits, and failure investigations aligned with ANSI/ESD S20.20.
- Build a culture of EMC-by-design: educate design teams, create design guidelines and review checklists, define EMC requirements and closure criteria, and integrate EMC considerations throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Stay current with advancements in EMC standards, medical device regulatory science, and related technologies; contribute to continuous improvement of compliance processes, SOPs, and knowledge sharing across teams.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
- 3+ years of hands-on EMC, EMI, ESD, RF, and electrical compliance experience on complex electronic systems.
- Strong bench-debug skills using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, near-field probes, current probes, LISNs, signal generators, RF amplifiers, VNAs, ESD simulators, power supplies, electronic loads, and data-acquisition tools.
- Practical understanding of grounding, shielding, filtering, cable management, isolation, ESD protection, PCB layout and stackups, return-current control, power integrity, clock harmonics, common-mode noise, and radiated/conducted emissions.
- Ability to read schematics, PCB layouts, cable drawings, mechanical assemblies, system block diagrams, and firmware state diagrams well enough to identify EMC failure modes.
- Direct experience planning, executing, debugging, and documenting EMC tests.
- Working knowledge of IEC 60601-1-2, FCC Part 18, and related IEC 61000-series immunity tests, including ESD, radiated immunity, conducted immunity, EFT, surge, voltage dips/interruptions, and emissions testing.
- Strong cross-functional communication skills and ability to drive issues to closure across engineering, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, and external test labs.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with medical devices, implants, surgical robotics, or wireless power transfer systems.
- Experience with BLE, Wi-Fi, 5G, UWB, or other wireless systems in regulated products, including wireless coexistence testing and risk assessment per ANSI C63.27 (or equivalent).
- Prior experience managing or interfacing with third-party certification laboratories (e.g., UL, TÜV, Intertek), including familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, and contributing EMC data to regulatory submissions (IDE, 510(k), PMA, or equivalent).
- Experience with medical device design controls, ISO 14971 risk management, and product development lifecycle in a regulated environment.
- Experience with international EMC and RF regulatory requirements and certifications (e.g., EU RED/CE marking, ISED Canada, MIC Japan, KC Korea) and CISPR emissions standards (e.g., CISPR 11).
- Experience with magnetic resonance (MR) testing and evaluation for implantable or active medical devices per ISO/TS 10974 (or equivalent).
- Experience developing EMC design guidelines, training programs, or compliance workflows that accelerate product development.
- Familiarity with manufacturing ESD controls, including ANSI/ESD S20.20-style programs, workstation audits, grounding, ionization, packaging, operator handling, and production-equipment qualification.
- Experience writing test protocols, reports, deviations, engineering rationales, risk assessments, and requirement traceability in a regulated or quality-controlled development process.
Expected Compensation:
The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the following range. Your actual base pay will be determined by your job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. We also believe in aligning our employees’ success with the company's long-term growth. As such, in addition to base salary, Neuralink offers equity compensation (in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSU)) for all full-time employees.
What We Offer:
Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits listed below.
- An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and most talented experts from different fields
- Growth potential; we rapidly advance team members who have an outsized impact
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan
- Paid holidays
- Commuter benefits
- Meals provided
- Equity (RSUs) *Temporary Employees & Interns excluded
- 401(k) plan *Interns initially excluded until they work 1,000 hours
- Parental leave *Temporary Employees & Interns excluded
- Flexible time off *Temporary Employees & Interns excluded