Hardware Engineer Intern
Mi Terro Care Socks is an AI-powered smart wearable that detects diabetic and gout foot complications 48 hours before symptoms appear. Our sensor-embedded socks continuously monitor plantar temperature, gait patterns, and pressure distribution — alerting patients and care teams in real time. We're building the only smart sock that combines temperature + gait + pressure in a single wearable.
The Role
We're looking for a hands-on hardware engineer intern who can help us take our 3rd-generation beta prototype to a production-ready smart sock. You'll work directly with our Chief Hardware Officer (ex-Apple) and Chief Scientist (100+ published papers) to design, build, test, and iterate on the physical product that will protect millions of feet. This is not a research role — you will solder, assemble, test, break, fix, and ship real hardware.
What You'll Build
Sensor Integration & E-Textile Assembly
• Assemble and test sensor arrays: 6 NTC thermistors (hallux, metatarsal 1/3/5, midfoot, heel) and 5 piezoresistive FSR pressure sensors per sock
• Route conductive threads through medical-grade textile to connect sensors to the BLE module — optimize for signal integrity, durability, and washability
• Develop and document repeatable assembly procedures that can scale from hand-built prototypes to semi-automated production
• Test sensor accuracy against reference instruments: target ±0.3°C for thermistors, ±5% for pressure sensors
PCB & Electronics
• Work with the nRF52832 BLE SoC — firmware flashing, pin configuration, power management optimization
• Design and iterate on the removable ankle module PCB: sensor input routing, battery management (target: 2-week battery life), BLE antenna tuning
• Prototype the wall-plug hub (ESP32-based Wi-Fi gateway) — ensure reliable BLE-to-Wi-Fi data relay with <2 second latency
• Solder, rework, and debug surface-mount components at 0402/0603 scale
Testing & Validation
• Run wash cycle durability tests: target 50+ machine wash cycles without sensor degradation or conductive thread failure
• Conduct thermal accuracy testing across ambient temperature ranges (15–35°C) to validate sensor readings against medical-grade infrared thermometers
• Perform gait simulation testing on pressure sensors using mechanical rigs to validate force range, repeatability, and fatigue life
• Build and maintain a test log tracking every prototype unit: sensor readings, failure modes, wash count, and calibration drift
Prototyping & Iteration
• Produce 10–20 functional prototype units per iteration cycle for beta tester deployment
• 3D print enclosures and fixtures for the ankle module and hub using FDM/SLA printers
• Source and evaluate alternative sensor components — compare NTC thermistors from Murata, TDK, and Vishay for accuracy, cost, and lead time
• Document every design change in a version-controlled engineering log (Git + hardware change orders)
Who You Are
• Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field
• Hands-on prototyping skills — you've soldered real boards, not just simulated circuits in software
• Experience with microcontrollers (Arduino, ESP32, or Nordic nRF family) — can flash firmware, read datasheets, and debug with a multimeter and oscilloscope
• Comfortable with PCB design tools (KiCad, Altium, or Eagle) — schematic capture and basic layout
• Understanding of BLE/Bluetooth Low Energy communication — pairing, GATT profiles, power optimization
• Familiarity with sensor types: thermistors (NTC/PTC), force-sensitive resistors (FSR), IMUs, or similar analog/digital sensors
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment where you'll own entire subsystems, not just tasks
• Meticulous documentation habits — you write things down because you know your future self will thank you
Bonus (not required, but gets you to the top of the pile):
• Experience with e-textiles, flexible electronics, or wearable device development
• Exposure to FDA Class I medical device requirements or IEC 60601 standards
• 3D printing and rapid prototyping experience (FDM, SLA, or CNC)
• Python or C/C++ for embedded firmware or data collection scripts
• Previous internship or project at a hardware startup, medical device company, or consumer electronics company
What You'll Get
• Direct mentorship from ex-Apple mechanical engineering, Stanford ME — learn how consumer hardware gets built at production scale
• Work alongside prominent researchers (100+ papers) — understand how clinical sensing protocols translate into physical products
• Your name on real hardware that ships to real patients — not a PowerPoint exercise
• Deep exposure to the full hardware product lifecycle: concept → prototype → test → iterate → manufacture
• Letter of recommendation and LinkedIn endorsement from the founding team
How to apply
Thanks for your interest in joining the Mi Terro Care team! Before we schedule interviews, we'd love to see how you think and what you'd bring to the table.
- Visit Mi Terro and explore the product.
- Highly recommended to join our Discord community, feel the vibe.
- Draft a short video concept (15–60 seconds) you'd create to introduce Mi Terro Care Socks to patients on TikTok or Instagram. You don't need to film it — just pitch the idea.
- Email your pitch to hello@miterrocaresocks.com along with:
- Why you're passionate about foot health and physical care
- Your social media handle(s) and any content you're proud of
- One idea for how Mi Terro Care Socks could show up differently on social media
We're looking for people who are genuinely excited about what Mi Terro Care Socks is building — not just the content creation, but the mission. If that's you, we want to hear from you.