Director of Autonomy Hardware

Fruition Group; California; On-site; USD 250,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Fruition Group seeks a Director of Hardware - Autonomy to lead the development of next-generation autonomous vehicle hardware in California. The role defines the hardware strategy, scales engineering teams, and delivers safe, high-performance autonomous systems.

The candidate will own the hardware vision, mentor engineers across mechanical, electrical, and embedded domains, and drive from prototype to production with a focus on safety and manufacturability.

Qualifications

• Proven executive leadership experience in autonomous systems, robotics, or vehicle hardware.
• Ability to translate AI-driven hardware vision into operations.
• Experience scaling hardware teams and delivering production-grade hardware.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Own the hardware vision and roadmap for autonomous vehicles, including sensors, compute platforms, power systems, and actuators that enable AI-driven autonomy.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing hardware engineering organization across mechanical, electrical, and embedded systems.
• Drive end-to-end hardware development from prototype to production, ensuring reliability, safety, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with software, AI, systems, and product teams to deliver fully integrated AI-powered autonomous solutions.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, partners, and research organizations to accelerate hardware innovation.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and certification standards for autonomous vehicle platforms.

Skills

Executive leadership

Autonomous systems

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Advanced degree in engineering or related field

Job description

We are seeking a Director of Hardware - Autonomy to lead the development of next-generation autonomous vehicle hardware, where AI drives every aspect of the product. This executive role is responsible for defining and executing the hardware strategy, scaling engineering teams, and delivering safe, reliable, and high-performance autonomous systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the hardware vision and roadmap for autonomous vehicles, including sensors, compute platforms, power systems, and actuators that enable AI-driven autonomy.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing hardware engineering organization across mechanical, electrical, and embedded systems.
• Drive end-to-end hardware development from prototype to production, ensuring reliability, safety, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with software, AI, systems, and product teams to deliver fully integrated AI-powered autonomous solutions.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, partners, and research organizations to accelerate hardware innovation.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and certification standards for autonomous vehicle platforms.

Key Experience:

• Proven executive leadership experience in autonomous systems, robotics, or vehicle hardware.
• Deep expertise in mechanical, electrical, and embedded systems design for AI-enabled mobility platforms.
• Track record of taking complex hardware from prototype to production at scale.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinker capable of translating AI-driven hardware vision into operational execution.

Compensation:

$250,000 – $320,000 base (plus equity and benefits)

Why Join:

• Lead hardware development at the cutting edge of AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology.
• Shape the future of mobility with a world-class, innovative engineering team.
• Opportunity to influence the design and deployment of next-generation autonomous vehicle platforms globally.