Not sure it' the best path for you (it could be though!) I'm an EE and applied for PhD programs in control theory (robotics specifically). Now my research focuses on applying deep learning to control under-actuated robotic systems.
Although I went right after my undergrad, there are several in my cohort who were in industry for as long (or in one case much much longer) than you have before starting their PhD.
There are certainly ways to merge your hardware experience with learning. Either applying AI to hardware design, or applying hardware design to speed up or otherwise improve learning, lots of research going on in both areas.
Although I went right after my undergrad, there are several in my cohort who were in industry for as long (or in one case much much longer) than you have before starting their PhD.
There are certainly ways to merge your hardware experience with learning. Either applying AI to hardware design, or applying hardware design to speed up or otherwise improve learning, lots of research going on in both areas.