Hardware Team Lead

Foundation Robotics Lab; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Foundation is seeking a hands-on Hardware Lead to drive the development of advanced humanoid robotics hardware. You will lead a cross-functional team spanning electrical, mechanical, and firmware disciplines, shaping architectures, and accelerating rapid prototyping and modeling.

The ideal candidate is highly technical with a track record in hardware design for high-volume manufacturing, comfortable with 3D CAD, FEA, and real-world testing.

Qualifications

• Hands-on technical leader with strong design experience in hardware systems for robotics.
• Robust understanding of electromechanical structures, embedded firmware, sensors, and packaging.
• Willingness to dive into mechanical, electrical, firmware, and sourcing challenges.
• Mastery in 3D CAD software, simulation, GD&T, and tolerance analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware team across electrical, mechanical, and firmware disciplines.
• Shape architectures and drive rapid prototyping and modeling.
• Improve manufacturability and key performance metrics for humanoid robotics.

Skills

Hardware lead

3D CAD

FS/A analysis

Embedded firmware understanding

Technical leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Tools

SolidWorks

MATLAB

ANSYS

Job description

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.