5 senior engineers. 30+ years experience. No middlemen.
FDA-compliant devices for diagnostics and therapy
Automation and control systems for manufacturing
Lab equipment and precision measurement tools
30-minute technical discussion with an engineer
FreeDetailed proposal with scope, timeline, and pricing
48 hoursRefine requirements and establish designs/specs
1-4 weeksWeekly updates, direct engineer access
1-12 monthsComplete handoff with documentation
30 days supportHigh precision ultrasound positioning system for automated assessment
Advanced monitoring and analysis system for power distribution in data centers and other similar contexts.
"Crab Labs played a key role in refining and validating our products development."
Myles Ainley
CEO, Atm0s Research and Development LLC
How we stack up against other options
| Crab Labs | In-House Team | Big Consulting | Freelancers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time to Start | 1 week | 3-6 months | 1-3 months | 1-4 weeks |
| Annual Cost | $50-75k/year* *Project basis | $150-250k/year Salary + benefits | $200-400k/year Hourly rates | $75-150k/year Depends on individual |
| Team Size | 2-5 engineers As needed | 1-3 engineers Focused domain | 5-15 engineers Broad capabilities | 1 engineer Deep specialization |
| Experience Level | 15+ years avg All senior | 5-15 years Company-specific | 3-20 years Structured teams | 2-25 years Varies by individual |
| Project Risk | Fixed price Our risk | Variable Depends on team | Shared Time & materials | Variable Depends on contract |
| Minimum Engagement | $10k | $150k+ Annual salary | $100-500k Enterprise focus | $5-50k Variable scope |
| Post-Project Support | 30 days free Then support plans | Ongoing If still employed | Limited Additional cost | Varies Individual basis |
| Documentation | Complete handoff Source + docs | Internal knowledge Team-based learning | Formal process Standardized approach | Varies by freelancer Individual approach |
| Communication | Direct to engineers Weekly updates | Direct Daily availability | Through PM Filtered communication | Direct Individual style |
In-house teams excel when: You need daily collaboration, have ongoing product development, or require deep company-specific knowledge.
Big consulting shines with: Large-scale enterprise projects, extensive compliance requirements, or when you need 10+ engineers with project management.
Freelancers work great for: Specific expertise gaps, well-defined tasks, or when you prefer direct project management control.
We're the right fit when: You want senior embedded expertise, predictable project costs, and direct engineer access for $10k-100k projects.
Talk directly with a senior engineer about your technical requirements and regulatory pathway.
Long Beach, CA • Response within 24 hours