Hardware Team Lead

foundation-robotics; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 240,000 - 400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Foundation in San Francisco seeks a Hardware Lead to drive the hardware architecture of humanoid robotics. You will lead a cross-functional team spanning electrical systems, manufacturing design, and body components, focusing on design optimization and new architectures through rapid prototyping and modeling.

You will champion manufacturability, performance metrics, and aesthetics while guiding sourcing, firmware, and mechanical disciplines in a fast-paced, startup-like environment.

Qualifications

• Hands-on hardware design leadership in robotics, automotive, or aerospace contexts.
• Strong understanding of electromechanical structures, embedded firmware, sensor integration, and packaging.
• Ability to dive into mechanical, electrical, firmware, controls, and sourcing activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a cross-functional hardware team covering electrical systems, manufacturing design and build.
• Develop new architectures via rapid prototyping and modeling.

Skills

Hardware design

Electromechanical systems

Embedded firmware

3D CAD

Simulation & analysis

GD&T

Technical communication

Job description

About Foundation:

Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the goal to address the labor shortage.

Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries.

We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite — it's your talent and determination that truly count.

We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.

Our Culture:

We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here https://foundation.bot/culture.

Who Should Join:

• You like working in person with a team in San Francisco.
• You deeply believe that this is the most important mission for humanity and needs to happen yesterday.
• You are highly technical - regardless of the role you are in. We are building technology; you need to understand technology well.
• You care about aesthetics and design inside out. If it's not the best product ever, it bothers you, and you need to “fix” it.
• You don't need someone to motivate you; you get things done.

Why We Are Hiring For This Role:

• At Foundation, we’re pushing the bounds on Humanoid technology.
• As we rapidly scale to meet demand, we’re looking for a Hardware lead that can build on our existing work and continue to improve efficiency, manufacturability, and other key performance metrics.
• The hardware lead will build and lead a cross-functional team spanning electrical systems, manufacturing design and build including Phantom’s Body, Legs, Head and Torso.
• This team will not only focus on current design optimization but also create new architectures through rapid prototyping and modeling.

What Kind of Person Are We Looking For:

• A hands-on technical leader with strong design experience in Hardware systems for robotics, automotive, or aerospace (bonus if done in the context of high volume manufacturing)..
• Robust understanding of electromechanical structures and systems,, embedded firmware, communication protocols, sensor integration, and packaging.
• A leader that is ready to dive into technical details and challenges related to mechanical, electrical, firmware, controls, and sourcing activities.
• Mastery in 3D CAD software, simulation and analysis methodology (FEA, MATLAB, ANSYS, etc), GD&T, tolerance analysis, and technical communication.
• Zeal for agile, startup-like operations with a bias for action to guide the actuator team in transformative robotics progress across all Foundation initiatives.

Benefits

We provide market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k, etc.). Join us for the culture and the mission, not for the benefits.

Salary

The annual compensation is expected to be between $240,000.00 - $400,000.00. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.