Director of Hardware Engineering - Optics & Systems

Prolific Machines; Emeryville (CA); Hybrid; USD 220,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous equity

Retirement plan

Flexible PTO

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Career coaching

Mental health support

Team lunches

Snacks

Social events

Job summary

Prolific Machines is hiring a senior hardware leader to own the hardware engineering function, guiding the team from validated prototypes to robust, customer-grade products. You will define the hardware strategy, establish interfaces, and drive the transition with external partners while collaborating with biology and software teams.

You will shape the roadmap for next-generation illuminators, set documentation standards, and hire the right talent to scale the hardware organization in

Qualifications

• Senior hardware leader with proven ability to take hardware from R&D to production.
• Experience building and leading cross-disciplinary hardware teams.
• Familiarity with GMP, FDA design controls, and regulatory certifications.

Responsibilities

• Translate company strategy into a long-term hardware roadmap and budgets.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary hardware team.
• Oversee system architecture, interfaces, and modular design approaches.
• Partner with bioprocess, biology, software, and data teams to ensure integrated plans.
• Drive milestones, design reviews, and delivery with external partners.

Skills

Multidisciplinary leadership

Systems engineering

GMP/FDA knowledge

Strategic planning

Mentoring

Partner management

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, Systems, or Biomedical Engineering

Job description

Prolific Machines is hiring a senior hardware leader to own the hardware engineering function, guiding the team from validated prototypes to robust, customer-grade products. You will define the hardware strategy, establish interfaces, and drive the transition with external partners while collaborating with biology and software teams.

You will shape the roadmap for next-generation illuminators, set documentation standards, and hire the right talent to scale the hardware organization in