Hardware Leader

Seneca; Sausalito (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Equity Compensation

Comprehensive Health Coverage

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Seneca is building cutting-edge drone and sensor technology for wildfire suppression, aiming to eliminate wildfire risk across 500 million acres of high-risk U.S. + allied territory.

You will architect core hardware, lead a skilled engineering team, and drive a proactive, mission-critical program in a fast-growing startup. You will report to executive leadership and partner with software, electrical, test, and operations to deliver integrated systems that perform under extreme conditions and

Qualifications

• ~10 years of hardware/mechanical engineering experience in drones/aerospace or related systems.
• Experience leading technical teams and engineers in fast-paced environments.
• Strong experience with mechanical design, aerostructures, and propulsion.
• Familiarity with FAA certification, airworthiness, or defense requirements is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive hardware roadmap and execution across airframe design, propulsion, payload mechanisms, and thermal management.
• Prototype, test, and iterate hardware from CAD to fabrication and assembly.
• Recruit, mentor, and manage a high-caliber hardware team and establish development processes.
• Collaborate with software, electrical, product, and operations to design integrated systems.
• Ensure hardware readiness in extreme field conditions and support deployment with partners.
• Establish design-for-manufacturing/reliability and manage supplier relationships.

Skills

Hardware design

Aerostructures

Propulsion systems

Thermal management

Rapid prototyping

Team leadership

Tools

CAD

FEA/CFD analysis

GD&T

DFM/DFA

Environmental testing

Job description

The Opportunity

You will drive the development and execution of Seneca's hardware systems across airframe design, propulsion, payload delivery, mechanical structures, and thermal and environmental protection. Reporting to executive leadership, you will partner closely with the leaders of Software, Electrical, Test, and other functions to deliver fully integrated systems that are deployable, resilient, and mission-critical. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone excited to architect core systems, build and lead a strong engineering team, and play a foundational role in a high-impact, early-stage startup with customers waiting to take delivery of this life-saving system.

The Opportunity

You will drive the development and execution of Seneca's hardware systems across airframe design, propulsion, payload delivery, mechanical structures, and thermal and environmental protection. Reporting to executive leadership, you will partner closely with the leaders of Software, Electrical, Test, and other functions to deliver fully integrated systems that are deployable, resilient, and mission-critical. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone excited to architect core systems, build and lead a strong engineering team, and play a foundational role in a high-impact, early-stage startup with customers waiting to take delivery of this life-saving system.

What You’ll Do

• Hardware Architecture & Execution: Drive the hardware roadmap and technical execution across airframe design, propulsion systems, payload mechanisms, structural design, thermal management, and manufacturing, in partnership with company leadership. You will pick the lanes where you are most expert to lead, and will support the team in others.
• Hands-On Development: Design, prototype, and iterate on hardware directly — from CAD through fabrication, assembly, and test — while building scalable design and manufacturing processes.
• Team Leadership: Recruit, mentor, and manage a high-caliber hardware team with expertise in mechanical design, aerostructures, propulsion, thermal systems, and manufacturing; establish engineering processes and best practices as the team scales.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with software, electrical, product, and operations teams to design integrated systems that meet real-world performance requirements.
• Deployment & Field Readiness: Ensure hardware systems are robust in extreme field conditions — heat, smoke, ash, and rough handling — by supporting testing, iteration, and deployment with fire departments and emergency response partners.
• Design for Scale: Establish design-for-manufacturing and design-for-reliability practices, manage supplier and vendor relationships, and build the path from prototype to low-rate and volume production.

Background and Experience

• ~10 years (proxy, not a requirement) of hardware/mechanical engineering experience, ideally in drones, aerospace, robotics, or other complex electromechanical systems, including experience managing engineers or leading technical teams.
• Deep experience with mechanical design, aerostructures, propulsion systems, thermal management, and rapid prototyping through to production.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams in early-stage, fast-paced environments.
• Strong command of modern hardware development tools and processes (e.g., CAD, FEA/CFD analysis, GD&T, DFM/DFA, structural and environmental testing).
• Experience fielding hardware in harsh, real-world operating conditions; familiarity with FAA certification, airworthiness, safety, or defense requirements is a plus.
• Work in aviation is desirable but not required.

What You Bring

• Mission-Driven: Passionate about Seneca's mission of wildfire prevention.
• Hands-On Leader + Builder: Excited to roll up your sleeves and prototype alongside the team.
• Systems Thinker: Able to architect scalable systems across ground and airborne environments.
• Fast-Moving Operator: Thrives in ambiguity and takes initiative to solve complex challenges.
• Plays to Win: Enjoys the hard but worthwhile experience of grinding with a team to achieve something worthwhile.
• Kind: At home in a culture where excellence and kindness coexist.

What we offer

• Competitive Salary – Reflective of your skills and experience
• Equity Compensation – Be a part-owner in the company’s future
• Comprehensive Health Coverage – Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – Optional pre-tax savings for medical expenses
• Unlimited PTO – Flexible time off to recharge, plus paid company holidays

About Us

Seneca is building cutting-edge drone and sensor technology for wildfire suppression, aiming to eliminate wildfire risk across 500 million acres of high-risk U.S. + allied territory. Backed by top-tier investors, including Convective Capital, Caffeinated Capital, First Round Capital, Slow Ventures, Nextview Ventures, Transition Capital, Bullpen Capital, Stepstone Group, Roar Capital, Offline Ventures, and leaders from Palantir, Google, Meta, and many others, the company has raised $110M in Series A funding and is valued over $500 million. Founded by Stu Landesberg (former Founder & CEO of Grove Collaborative — IPO in 2022 at $1.7B) and fire industry experts, Seneca is a mission-driven company dedicated to climate resilience and fire prevention.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply — you may still be the right fit for our team.

Compensation Range: $180K - $270K