Head of Modular Engineering

Root Edge; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Root Edge seeks a Head of Modular Engineering to own the full lifecycle of modular power units behind-the-meter for digital infrastructure. You will define architecture, lead cross-functional design, and scale production with OEMs and internal teams.

You will drive efficiency, reliability, and emissions compliance while building a capable engineering organization and delivering production-ready units with documentation and commissioning procedures.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in power generation engineering
• Experience designing, integrating, and productionizing packaged power modules
• Familiarity with OEM landscape and securing allocations
• Experience scaling assembly of packaged equipment (line design, DFM, FAT)
• Knowledge of emissions permitting and grid-paralleling standards
• Network of engineers, integrators, and packagers to mobilize on day one

Responsibilities

• Define architecture: prime mover, sizing, emissions, BESS, switchgear, enclosure.
• Lead electrical, mechanical, controls, and structural design and establish specs.
• Manage OEMs and integrators; negotiate supply agreements.
• Stand up and scale assembly with QA/QC and factory acceptance testing.
• Own unit performance: efficiency, availability, transient response, emissions.
• Deliver production-ready units with documentation, commissioning procedures, and O&M packages.
• Build and lead the engineering and manufacturing team.

Skills

Power generation engineering

Modular power modules design

OEM supplier management

Assembly scaling / line design

Emissions permitting knowledge

Grid-paralleling standards

High-density load handling

Leadership / team building

Vendor negotiation

Job description

Head of Modular Engineering

About the Company

Our client is an early-stage company designing, building, and operating modular natural gas power for digital infrastructure. Units are deployed behind the meter so sites can energize in months instead of years.

The company is led by repeat founders with multiple successful exits and deep investing experience in power and real estate.

The Role

You own the product. You are accountable for the full engineering lifecycle of the company's modular behind-the-meter power units, from system architecture and detailed design through vendor selection, factory assembly, integration, and fleet-ready release.

Each unit is a packaged generation module: engine or turbine, alternator, emissions aftertreatment, cooling, fuel system, MV switchgear, BESS for transient load, controls, and enclosure/skid. You define how those pieces come together, how they are built, and how they perform in parallel at scale. You will be the company's technical authority on power generation and the owner of manufacturing throughput.

What You'll Do

• Set the architecture. Choose the prime mover (recip vs. turbine), alternator sizing, emissions aftertreatment (SCR / oxidation catalyst), BESS or flywheel for load-step response, MV switchgear, paralleling controls, and enclosure and skid.
• Own detailed engineering. Lead electrical, mechanical, controls, and structural design, and hold the design spec and technical acceptance criteria for every unit.
• Manage OEMs and integrators. Select partners, negotiate supply agreements, and secure long-lead allocation.
• Stand up and scale assembly. Build out a partner or in-house line, including DFM, QA/QC, and factory acceptance testing, and scale to a defined MW/month output.
• Own unit performance. Fuel efficiency, availability, transient response, emissions compliance, and paralleling behavior against high-density digital infrastructure load profiles.
• Deliver production-ready units. Hand off to site with full documentation, commissioning procedures, and O&M packages.
• Build the team. Hire and lead the engineering and manufacturing organization.

What You Bring

• 5+ years in power generation engineering, in mobile or modular gas generation, microgrids, or electric frac power.
• A track record designing, integrating, and productionizing packaged power modules (engine, alternator, aftertreatment, switchgear, and controls) that run in parallel on live, critical loads.
• Deep familiarity with the OEM landscape (leading engine, turbine, and electrical equipment manufacturers) and the ability to secure allocation in a supply-constrained market.
• Hands-on experience scaling assembly of packaged equipment, including line design, DFM, FAT, and quality systems.
• Working knowledge of emissions permitting, grid-paralleling standards, and power quality requirements for high-density, large-load customers.
• A network of engineers, integrators, and packagers you can mobilize on day one.

Compensation

Competitive cash plus meaningful equity. This is a senior leadership role at an early-stage company.