Chief Hardware Engineer — Equity & Startup Growth

Roadrunner Venture Studios; Albuquerque (NM); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Roadrunner Venture Studios is seeking a Head of Hardware Engineering to lead the portfolio company developing rainfall enhancement technology. You will own system architecture across mechanical, thermal, combustion, and controls, guiding prototypes through production-ready hardware.

This hands-on leadership role requires coordinating internal science teams and external partners, managing schedule and budget, and driving manufacturing readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical, aerospace, systems engineering, or related field.
• Experience leading hardware from concept through prototype to production planning.
• Proficiency with CAD software (SolidWorks/NX) and PLM systems.
• Experience with release processes, drawings, BOMs, and supplier documentation.
• Experience in industrial, aerospace, automotive, robotics, energy, or high-reliability hardware.

Responsibilities

• Own hardware system architecture across mechanical, thermal, combustion, structural, fluid, gas-handling, controls, and instrumentation.
• Lead hardware development from early design through prototypes, integrated builds, field-ready hardware, and production planning.
• Lead combustion and thermal systems design and qualification, including fuel/gas handling and thermal management.
• Define verification methods and oversee shop tests, integrated system tests, field qualification, troubleshooting, and failure reviews.
• Turn concepts into CAD models, drawings, BOMs, supplier packages, build instructions, and acceptance criteria.
• Lead design for manufacturing and assembly to mature prototypes into reliable production hardware.
• Manage engineering, procurement, and construction firms, fabricators, suppliers, and contract manufacturers.
• Use test data, field observations, and supplier feedback to drive design improvements and production readiness.
• Own hardware schedule, budget, qualification timelines, and production plan.
• Recruit, mentor, and manage a small team of hardware engineers.

Skills

Hardware leadership

System architecture

CAD proficiency

Manufacturing readiness

CFD (combustion/heat transfer)

Test instrumentation

Startup environment

Team building

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical/aerospace/systems engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

Product lifecycle management (PLM)

Job description

Roadrunner Venture Studios is seeking a Head of Hardware Engineering to lead the portfolio company developing rainfall enhancement technology. You will own system architecture across mechanical, thermal, combustion, and controls, guiding prototypes through production-ready hardware.

This hands-on leadership role requires coordinating internal science teams and external partners, managing schedule and budget, and driving manufacturing readiness.