Lead Mechatronics Engineer — Automated Exploration Hardware

Jobtailor; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

KoBold is seeking a senior hardware leader to drive design, development, and deployment of automated sensing and imaging systems for mineral exploration. You will own end-to-end hardware lifecycles, coordinate cross-functional teams, and manage vendor relationships while ensuring field readiness and data quality.

You will travel to remote field sites, validate systems, and optimize architectures for reliable performance in challenging environments.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and deploying automated scientific equipment.
• Experience deploying complex equipment at remote sites, including commissioning, validation, and training.
• Able to lead as technical lead, PM, product manager, and hands-on engineer.
• Excellent communication in interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive design, development, and deployment of hardware for mineral exploration data collection.
• Lead full lifecycle of hardware systems from concept to field deployment.
• Coordinate hardware and software resources for automated sensing and imaging systems.
• Define system architecture balancing cost, complexity, and timelines.
• Integrate new data streams into KoBold's data system and ensure user needs are met.
• Travel to domestic and international field sites 20–30% of the time.

Skills

Automated Sensing Systems

Data Acquisition

Physical Measurement Systems

Prototyping

Mechanical Engineering

Project Management

Job description

KoBold is seeking a senior hardware leader to drive design, development, and deployment of automated sensing and imaging systems for mineral exploration. You will own end-to-end hardware lifecycles, coordinate cross-functional teams, and manage vendor relationships while ensuring field readiness and data quality.

You will travel to remote field sites, validate systems, and optimize architectures for reliable performance in challenging environments.