VP of Engineering, Hardware
RIVR is a Swiss robotics company pioneering Physical AI and robotic solutions to revolutionize last-mile delivery, giving 1 human the power of 1000. Through the combination of artificial neural networks and innovative robot designs with wheels and legs, RIVR aims to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and scalability in last-mile delivery. Founded as Swiss-Mile, the company rebranded to RIVR in 2025 to better reflect its mission of driving the future of intelligent robotics. Join our innovative team, renowned for pioneering robotic design and neural network applications in robotics that improve environmental understanding and decision‑making. With a robust research foundation and notable contributions from ETH Zurich, we are leaders in translating artificial intelligence and robotics into practical, real‑world applications.
RIVR is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that values every perspective. If you’re passionate about driving innovation in robotics and creating meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply and bring your unique self to our team.
Job Description
As a senior engineering leader at RIVR, you will partner closely with our CTO Hardware to scale the engineering organization during a period of rapid growth. This role is designed for someone who is deeply passionate about developing talent, building future leaders, guiding teams, and creating processes and structures that allow engineers to thrive in a complex hardware–software environment. You will help shape a high‑performing, collaborative organization where ownership, iteration, clear communication, and alignment are the foundation for delivering impact. Your work will influence how teams operate, make decisions, and grow, while ensuring that RIVR’s culture of responsibility, ambition, and collaboration is reinforced every day. This is a rare opportunity for a leader who combines technical insight with a genuine passion for coaching managers, strengthening team culture, and enabling engineers to reach their full potential.
What you’ll be doing
- Partner with the CTO Hardware to scale the engineering organization, aligning structure and priorities with RIVR’s mission.
- Mentor and coach engineering managers, team leads, and senior ICs to foster accountability, clear ownership, and professional growth.
- Build processes and structures that ensure clarity, alignment, and predictability across hardware, software, AI, operations, and product teams.
- Strengthen execution by improving planning, prioritization, decision‑making, and cross‑team communication.
- Foster a culture of iteration and velocity, where teams act quickly, learn from feedback, and remove blockers proactively.
- Lead organizational planning, including headcount strategy, hiring priorities, and team structures that support long‑term scalability.
- Partner with Product, Field and Remote Operations, and Business teams to ensure engineering initiatives are aligned, integrated, and impactful.
- Support the CTO in driving transparency, predictable delivery, and strong decision‑making across engineering.
- Ensure engineering initiatives stay aligned with RIVR’s mission and big‑picture goals.
- Help build a resilient, engineering organization prepared for global growth, while maintaining a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration.
What you must have
- Significant engineering leadership experience in robotics, hardware/software, deep tech, or similarly complex environments.
- Experience scaling engineering teams in fast‑growing startups or scale‑ups.
- Proven ability to develop talent, foster high‑performing teams, and strengthen leadership across an organization.
- A strong bias for action and clarity: moving teams forward through iteration, feedback, and decisive progress.
- Track record of improving engineering processes, communication, and cross‑team collaboration.
- Experience partnering with a CTO or senior technical executive.
- Strong technical understanding combined with organizational awareness and empathy.
- Collaborative, solution‑oriented mindset with a habit of stepping up proactively.
Get some bonus points
- Background in engineering program management, people operations, or org design.
- Exposure to manufacturing, certification, or field deployment environments.
- Familiarity with multicultural or international engineering teams (Europe & US & Asia).
RIVR is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that values every perspective. If you’re passionate about driving innovation in robotics and creating meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply and bring your unique self to our team.
We believe the best work is done when collaborating and therefore require in‑person presence in our office locations.