Hobnob: careers

CAREERS

Team Hobnob builds the hardware and software that delivers the HOBNOB® Amplified WWAN to our customers. Hobnob's customers include some of the worlds most valuable companies (we can't name them) operating transportation systems larger than many cities, various regional transit authorities, in addition to some of the largest healthcare providers and insurers in North America. We're a small, nimble startup with a proven business model, serving over fifty-thousand top-talent employees working at some of the world's most valuable companies on a daily basis. Hobnob is based in Palo Alto, California.

Some may find Hobnob has a somewhat introverted company culture, in the good sense of the word as Susan Cain uses it in her book "Quiet." At Hobnob everyone has their own office with a door that provides a quiet environment where our "brain trust" of people can focus on their work. We have common areas where folks can gather with teammates at any time for inspiration and feedback. We're striving for a "Cave and Commons" physical work environment as Christopher Alexander describes the architectural design pattern in his books.

Hobnob is seeking many types of talented people, however, we have noticed that our environment isn't for everyone: People who get their energy from making tangible contributions to the critical path of their team and project tend to thrive at Hobnob. Our social activities are along the lines of a Friday afternoon engineering tennis intramural or small teams taking a walk in the nature preseve near Hobnob's HQ to explore solutions to a technical challenge. We have optional company lunches or dinners at local "posh" restuaraunts to celebrate major achievements. We might have a surprise sushi lunch with vegan option to celebrate smaller milestones but you wouldn't be obliged join in and if you don't like sushi then we would order something else for you!

If you're stoked about the back-slapping environment with rows and rows of workstations and people packed in to the gills and that's the rage in the Silicon Valley right now then you might not appreciate the Hobnob environment.

If you're a Quiet, thoughtful, top-talent contributor who is seeking a work environment designed to maximize your ability to concentrate and do your best work then we want you on our team!

We're looking to fill the positions below, but if you don't see a good fit, contact us at careers@hobnob.com to let us know how you can make a difference at Hobnob.

Front-End Software Engineer

A key part of the Hobnob service is our management interface which provides our customers with real-time visibility into their mobile network. We're constantly processing real-time streams of positional, usage, and QoS data from every unit that we've deployed in the field.

We're looking for talented and self-motivated engineers to create usable and elegant interfaces that enable our users to explore this data in real-time. These interfaces are highly visible and have a direct impact on our core business. They will be used internally by our monitoring/ops team as well as externally by our customers and riders.

Requirements

Expertise in Javascript, CSS, Ruby on Rails
Experience using AJAX to manipulate large data sets
Visualization/UI design experience, knowledge of usability best practices
B.S. or M.S. in computer science

Pluses

Experience with Flash, esp. writing interactive visualizations
Experience with mapping APIs (Google Maps, Google Earth, Live/Bing Maps, etc.)
Experience developing web applications for mobile devices (iPhone, Android)
Experience developing large-scale applications

Interested and qualified candidates can apply by sending e-mail to careers@hobnob.com. Please include your resume and links to sample projects or previous work if possible.

Software Engineer - Networking R&D

Hobnob's mobile Wi-Fi networks are based on our patent-pending network-aggregation technology. This technology ensures a highly reliable and scalable Internet connection that is ideally suited for providing customers with a high-quality experience in any environment whether it be a high-speed train, mobile hospital, or a remote office lacking wired infrastructure.

As a key member of our engineering team, you will help in designing and evolving this core technology and improving our end-to-end network service. We're looking for talented and self-motivated engineers with the excellent engineering and problem solving ability required to address the challenges of mobile Wi-Fi environments.

Responsibilities

Design and implement new networking protocols and algorithms
Design and analysis of simulated and real-world experiments

Requirements

Familiarity with C, C++
Familiarity with BSD/Linux networking and network stack
Experience with existing network protocols and underlying algorithms
Experience in building production systems
Desire to work in a fast-paced environment; Strong team-player
Research experience in networking, wireless or mobile systems
B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science; Ph.D. a plus

Pluses

Have authored research papers and delivered research presentations
Built production wireless systems (mobile or fixed) that were deployed/tested/used in the field
Knowledge of wireless network particularities and their impact on protocols
Knowledge of wireless theory (RF, spectrum, interference, antennas, amplifiers, encodings)

Interested and qualified candidates can apply by sending e-mail to careers@hobnob.com. Please include your resume and links to sample projects or previous work if possible.

Embedded Systems Engineer

Hobnob's embedded systems are the platform for delivering our reliable, high-performance mobile connectivity. As such, we're constantly pushing our technology to the limit and looking for ways to use hardware to its fullest.

As a key member of our engineering team, you will be able to work on Hobnob's current and next-generation embedded systems. We're looking for talented and self-motivated engineers with the excellent engineering and problem solving ability required to address the challenges of mobile Wi-Fi environments.

Responsibilities

Continued evolution of current hardware platforms in all areas: performance, reliability, security
Design and evaluate future hardware platforms

Requirements

Familiarity with C, C++
Experience with low-level embedded work (BSD kernel and networking/USB/wireless subsystems)
Experience in building production systems
Desire to work in a fast-paced environment; Strong team-player
Research experience in networking, wireless or mobile systems
B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science; Ph.D. a plus

Pluses

Built production embedded systems (mobile or fixed) that were deployed/tested/used in the field
Experience developing and using a wide variety of embedded platforms (ARM, MIPS, etc.)
Have done previous projects involving RF on embedded systems, via cellular modules, 802.11, Bluetooth, etc.
Solid knowledge of RF systems and theory

Interested and qualified candidates can apply by sending e-mail to careers@hobnob.com. Please include your resume and links to sample projects or previous work if possible.

Software Engineering Intern

As a software engineer intern at Hobnob, you'll experience the high-impact environment of a small startup that's applying cutting-edge technology and research to challenging problems around the world. You'll work closely with the engineering and product team on our core technology and product, building solutions that can be in the hands of customers within days.

We're recruiting for all parts of our engineering team, with areas of focus ranging from front-end web application development to embedded and wireless technologies.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and release new technology and features
Research solutions to technical problems

Requirements

Ability to pick up new skills quickly
Highly motivated self-starter
Interest in experiencing the fast-paced startup environment
Strong technical skills in one of the following:

Front-end web development
Computer networking
Embedded systems

Excellent communication skills
Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science or related field

Pluses

Research experience in networking, wireless or mobile systems
Familiarity with Javascript, HTML, CSS, Ruby on Rails
Familiarity with C, C++
Familiarity with BSD/Linux

Interested and qualified candidates can apply by sending e-mail to careers@hobnob.com. Please include your resume and links to sample projects or previous work if possible.

Field Operations Engineer

Hobnob's real-world infrastructure and support are a key component of the business and in maintaining the highest standards for customer satisfaction. We're seeking a full-time Field Operations Engineer to install and maintain routers and networking systems on heavy vehicle fleets, trains and fixed wireless tower and pole-mount locations. Work will require travel to customer locations for on-site installations and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

Wiring 12VDC, 24VDC, 72VDC, passive/active PoE and 100-240VAC electrical equipment into heavy vehicles and fixed wireless backhaul locations
Installation responsibilities include pulling power and cabling, assembling and installing power, pole and tower infrastructure, assembling and installing network equipment in weatherproof NEMA enclosures
Troubleshooting installation problems
Writing installation specifications and documenting work

Requirements

Significant physical, electrical and computer problem-solving skills
Strong mechanical background: Ability to read mechanical drawings and wiring schematics, regular use of power and hand tools
Excellent computer skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Excellent customer interfacing skills
A track record of workplace safety
Bachelors or masters degree in mechanical and/or electrical engineering or equivalent

Some international travel required.

Characteristics of success

Motivated self starter who thrives in a challenging, fast-paced environment that rapidly evolves to suit changing market realities
Passion for solving complex problems that make a direct impact, while in new environments

Interested and qualified candidates can apply by emailing resumes to careers@hobnob.com.

Software Engineer

Job title – Software Engineer

Job duties – In a company focused on mobile Wi-Fi environments, design and implement new networking protocols and algorithms. Design and analyze both simulated and real-world experiments. Design and evolve core technology and improve end-to-end network service.

Education – Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or closely-related field.

Experience – 2 years of experience with network technologies at a systems level or closely related. Background with BSD/Linux kernel development. Familiarity with BSD/Linux networking and network stack. Background with C/C++, as demonstrated by reasonably complex past projects. Familiarity with Ruby or Python. Knowledge and working understanding of network principles and common network protocols, such as TCP, UDP, DHCP, and ARP. Knowledge and working understanding of USB architecture and operation. Familiarity with USB drivers or USB interactions at a kernel/systems level.

Location – Palo Alto, CA

How to apply – By mail to Job # W07T, att’n Aron Hall, Hobnob, Inc., 1000 Elwell Court, Suite 212, Palo Alto, CA 94303.