Head of Software

Socket.dev; Belmont (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant (early-stage, meaningful)

Benefits and other details based onsen

Job summary

Foundation Industries in Belmont, CA is seeking a Head of Software to own the platform’s technical direction and execution. The role focuses on backend ERP/MES-like engines, data models, and integrations that run the factory.

You will set the roadmap, architecture, and engineering standards; lead and grow the software team; collaborate with manufacturing, operations and the founding team to turn priorities into reliable production systems.

Qualifications

• Experience leading software teams and owning complex, stateful business systems in production.
• Strong backend architecture judgment across APIs, databases, workflows, integrations, permissions, and internal tools.
• Model operational processes carefully and balance speed, correctness, reliability, and maintainability.
• High ownership, practical judgment, and clear communication with technical and operational partners.
• ERP, MES, manufacturing software, workflow systems, or applied AI experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the software roadmap and execution cadence.
• Develop deep context on the platform and factory.
• Stabilize and harden the core backend.
• Architect the platform for depth and scale.
• Define a pragmatic, secure AI posture.
• Build the manufacturing operating system and scale engineering leadership.

Skills

Team leadership

Backend architecture

Production systems

Communication

AI in operations

Hiring engineers

Job description

Role Description

Foundation Industries is building a software-defined factory: a vertically integrated manufacturing platform that connects quoting, DFM, scheduling, CAM/CNC programming, quality, and customer experience into one continuously improving system.

We’re hiring a Head of Software to own the platform's technical direction and execution. The work centers on the deep backend ERP/MES-like workflow engines, data models, and integrations that run the factory.

You’ll set the roadmap, architecture, and engineering standards; lead and grow the software team; and work directly with manufacturing, operations, and the founding team to turn company priorities into reliable production systems. You’ll also define Foundation’s approach to AI: practical, secure applications that accelerate engineering, automate operational workflows, and improve decision-making.

Near-term

• Own the software roadmap and execution cadence
• Develop deep context on the platform and factory
• Stabilize and harden the core backend
• Architect the platform for depth and scale
• Define a pragmatic, secure AI posture

Long-term

• Build the manufacturing operating system
• Scale the engineering organization and technical leadership
• Make AI a compounding advantage
• Strengthen reliability, security, and compliance

What we’re looking for

• Experience leading software teams and owning complex, stateful business systems in production
• Strong backend architecture judgment across APIs, databases, workflows, integrations, permissions, and internal tools
• Ability to model operational processes carefully and balance speed, correctness, reliability, and maintainability
• High ownership, practical judgment, and clear communication with technical and operational partners
• A track record of hiring, developing, and setting a high bar for engineers
• ERP, MES, manufacturing software, workflow systems, or applied AI experience is strongly preferred

Comp

• $150k-$175k annual salary
• Equity grant (early-stage, meaningful)
• Benefits and other details based on seniority and fit