Head of Hardware Engineering

Roadrunner Venture Studios; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity opportunity

Dynamic work environment

Mentorship opportunities

Job summary

An innovative startup in California is seeking a Head of Hardware Engineering to lead the development of groundbreaking weather modification systems. This role requires strong technical leadership in hardware development, including partnerships with EPC firms and effective team management. Candidates should possess a relevant engineering degree and experience in CAD tools such as Solidworks and NX. Expect a dynamic environment with significant responsibilities and an equity opportunity.

Qualifications

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field is required.
• High proficiency in CAD software such as Solidworks or NX is essential.
• Experience in managing EPC firms for prototyping and production scaling is preferred.
• Must have 3+ years in a management position guiding hardware development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the requirements and architecture of the deployment system.
• Partner with EPC firms to accelerate hardware prototyping and production.
• Own the development schedule, budget, and qualification timeline for production.
• Mentor and manage a small team of engineers.

Skills

Leadership in hardware development

Proficiency in CAD software

Experience in Design for Manufacture

Ability to mentor engineers

Managing external partners

Problem-solving in startups

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

Tools

Solidworks

NX

Job description

About our Portfolio Company

Our company is an early‑stage startup building weather modification systems. Their mission is to unlock abundance: ending droughts, suppressing wildfires, greening deserts, and cooling cities.

About the role

We are seeking a Head of Hardware Engineering to lead the development of our deployment system.

We have a patent‑pending design, but you will lead prototyping, operational qualification, and production scale manufacturing by partnering with an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC).

You will apply aerospace rigor to a new class of industrial hardware, developing systems that must be as robust and produced at the scale of a car.

This role includes a significant equity opportunity.

This is an early‑stage startup building something that has never been built before. You should expect upwards of 50‑60 hours per week, sometimes more, with frequent travel and regular weekend work. Priorities shift, roadmaps evolve, and the work products change frequently. We are looking for someone who thrives in that kind of environment. If that does not excite you, this role is probably not the right fit.

What you’ll do

Technical Leadership

• System Architecture: Responsible for the requirements and architecture of our deployment system.
• Hardware Development: Partner with EPC firms to accelerate hardware prototyping and production scaling.

Business & Team Management

• Outcome Ownership: Own large business outcomes, including the development schedule, budget, and qualification timeline for production.
• Team Building: Mentor and manage a small team world‑class engineers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree: BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• Software: High proficiency in CAD software (Solidworks, NX) and PLM systems.
• Manufacturing: Background in Design for Manufacture (DFM) for mass‑producting hardware.
• Scaling: Experience managing EPC firms or external partners for prototyping and production scaling preferred.
• Management: Preferred 3+ years in a management position, guiding hardware development and developing engineering talent.
• Startup experience: Proven ability to move fast, wear multiple hats, and solve complex problems with limited resources.

Roadrunner Venture Studios is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender‑identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.