Role overview

WHOOP is seeking a Staff Electrical R&D Lead to advance the development of next-generation wearable sensing technologies. As part of the Hardware Engineering team in Boston, you will lead the exploration, design, and validation of novel sensing systems, combining deep electrical expertise with systems thinking to optimize how the wearable captures and processes physiological signals.

Key responsibilities

Lead advanced electrical development initiatives from early-stage technology exploration through feasibility, prototyping, system characterization, and design validation.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the complete sensing signal chain, including sensor behavior, analog front-end performance, electrical interfaces, and physiological characteristics, to inform electrical architecture decisions.
Design and execute experiments to characterize sensor and system behavior, isolate variables, identify performance limitations, and evaluate interactions across electrical, mechanical, physiological, and environmental conditions.
Analyze experimental data to translate findings into actionable electrical design improvements, technical recommendations, and quantitative performance requirements.
Evaluate, integrate, and validate new sensing technologies by establishing test methodologies, performance criteria, and system-level requirements that ensure reliable operation across real-world use cases.
Partner with Electrical, Mechanical, Firmware, Signal Processing, and WHOOP Labs teams to understand system dependencies, evaluate technical tradeoffs, and ensure electrical designs support broader sensing system objectives.
Lead complex technical investigations and root-cause analysis, combining first-principles engineering, bench measurements, and structured experimentation to identify risks and drive design solutions.
Mentor engineers across advanced development projects, set technical priorities, provide design review and direction, and maintain strong hands-on contributions to critical technical work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
Eight or more years of electrical engineering, hardware R&D, or sensing systems development experience with demonstrated technical leadership and ownership of complex projects.
Deep expertise in analog and digital circuit design, sensor interfaces, signal integrity, noise analysis, and system-level electrical architecture.
Strong systems-level understanding of sensing technologies and exceptional hands-on experimentation, hardware characterization, and debugging skills.
Proficiency in Python or equivalent tools.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical initiatives, guide engineering decisions, mentor other engineers, and drive technical challenges to resolution.
Commitment to using AI tools in daily work while maintaining high-quality standards.

What makes this role worth considering

This is a hands-on technical leadership position that balances innovation with product feasibility and development timelines. You will work directly with cross-functional teams while remaining deeply involved in circuit design, simulation, prototype debugging, and design iteration on technologies that power a wearable system designed to help members understand and improve their physical performance.