Vice President of Engineering

Vice President of Engineering

This company develops and operates modular, software-defined robotic production factories. These factories use advanced automation, AI-driven forming processes, and robotic arms to manufacture complex metal components with high precision, without traditional tooling.

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on hardware engineering leader to take advanced mechanical-electrical automation platforms and robotic production factories from V2 prototypes to V3 production-ready systems. You must excel in CAD design, system analysis, on-floor troubleshooting, and technical leadership. This role transforms early systems into stable, repeatable machines and enables consistent, high-quality, low-volume production.

You will own the critical 1-to-10 scale-up, build, and mentor the engineering team, and drive system integration, reliability, and production readiness across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Hands-On Hardware Leadership

• Lead design, analysis, and debugging across mechanical, electrical, automation, hydraulic, pneumatic, and robotic subsystems.
• Maintain engineering rigor while driving fast development cycles.
• Serve as the technical authority on advanced automation platform architecture.

System Integration

• Ensure seamless integration across mechanical, electrical, automation, controls, and robotic elements.
• Provide strong mechanical leadership with meaningful electrical and embedded literacy.
• Guarantee reliable, cohesive system performance.

Prototype Production (V2 V3)

• Mature prototypes into manufacturable, field-ready production systems.
• Implement DFM, validation protocols, testing frameworks, and quality standards.
• Build systems that can be reliably produced in low-volume at scale (2030 units/year and growing).

Production Integration & Reliability

• Own production integration end-to-end.
• Partner with manufacturing to achieve repeatable builds.
• Lead root-cause analysis, reliability improvements, and continuous optimization.

Large Machinery & Deployment

• Oversee the development of large, welded structures and industrial automation equipment.
• Ensure safety, maintainability, and readiness for field deployment.
• Strengthening the robustness of platform systems over time.

Startup-Speed Execution

• Move quickly, manage ambiguity, and maintain clarity and momentum.
• Balance deep technical engagement with production leadership.
• Drive toward aggressive milestones in a fast-paced environment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with software, controls, production, and operations teams.
• Align engineering output with product needs, manufacturing readiness, and customer expectations.

Team Leadership

• Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing, multidisciplinary engineering organization.
• Recruit top-tier mechanical, electrical, automation, and systems engineers.
• Foster a culture of speed, technical rigor, ownership, and high standards.

Program Management & Operational Leadership

• Set engineering priorities, milestones, and roadmaps.
• Manage budgets, resources, and vendor relationships.
• Establish a process discipline with sufficient flexibility for rapid iteration.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Define hardware quality and safety standards.
• Lead reliability testing, FMEA, risk reviews, and certifications.
• Ensure systems meet safety and operational requirements.

Risk & Field Engagement

• Identify risks early and implement mitigation plans.
• Support early customer deployments and resolve field issues.
• Ensure the platform performs reliably in real-world environments.

Executive Leadership

• Contribute to broader company strategy as part of the leadership team.
• Communicate engineering progress, risks, and priorities to executives and stakeholders.
• Align technical decisions with business goals and long-term vision.

Requirements

Technical Background

• 12-20+ years in hardware engineering, advanced machinery, robotics, automation, manufacturing systems, or related fields.
• Strong mechanical engineering foundation with a solid understanding of electrical/embedded systems.
• Hands-on builder mentality, comfortable in CAD (e.g., SolidWorks) and on the production floor.
• Experience with complex mechanical-electrical automation platforms.

Leadership & Execution

• Proven success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ability to take hardware from prototype to production.
• Thrives in high-intensity, fast-paced startup environments.
• Strong ownership, urgency, and cross-functional communication skills.