Head of Hardware Engineering — Equity, Prototyping to Production

NextGenEnergyJobs; San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Job summary

Roadrunner Venture Studios is seeking a Head of Hardware Engineering to lead the portfolio company's hardware program from architecture and prototyping through qualification and production planning.

You will apply aerospace rigor to industrial hardware, coordinating with internal teams and external partners while maintaining schedule, budget, and design for manufacturing. This hands-on leadership role requires startup stamina and frequent travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical, aerospace, or systems engineering.
• Experience leading complex hardware from concept through prototype builds, qualification, and production planning.
• High proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks or NX and PLM systems.
• Experience with engineering release processes, drawings, BOMs, and supplier documentation.
• Experience with design for manufacturing and assembly for industrial/high‑reliability hardware.
• Experience with combustion hardware, thermal systems, fluids, gas handling, or related fields.
• At least three years leading hardware development and developing engineering talent.
• Ability to move quickly and own broad ownership in a startup.
• Experience with CFD for combustion/heat transfer.

Responsibilities

• Own the hardware schedule, budget, qualification timeline, technical quality, partner deliverables, and production plan.
• Recruit, mentor, and manage a small team of hardware engineers.
• Collaborate across science, field operations, business, and external partners to resolve technical risks.

Skills

Leadership

Hardware development

CAD software

Engineering release

Design for manufacturing

CFD

Startup environment

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical/aerospace/systems engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

PLM systems

Job description

Roadrunner Venture Studios is seeking a Head of Hardware Engineering to lead the portfolio company's hardware program from architecture and prototyping through qualification and production planning.

You will apply aerospace rigor to industrial hardware, coordinating with internal teams and external partners while maintaining schedule, budget, and design for manufacturing. This hands-on leadership role requires startup stamina and frequent travel.