Lead Photonics Hardware Engineer

Samson Rose; Los Angeles, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Samson Rose is seeking a Lead Hardware Engineer to own hardware architecture across mechanical, electrical, optical, and test disciplines for a flagship sensing product line. You will guide the transition from prototypes to production and build a small, high-performing hardware team.

You will work directly with the founder and Chief Scientist to shape the roadmap as the product line expands into photonic sensing and navigation technologies.

Qualifications

• Degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, optical engineering, physics, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years developing and deploying complex electromechanical, electro-optical, or active sensing systems.
• Experience taking hardware from prototype through qualification into initial production.
• Strong track record leading cross-functional engineering teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel to test sites and manufacturing facilities.
• Must be a U.S. person and able to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own hardware architecture, component selection, and detailed mechanical, electrical, optical, and test engineering for the flagship product line.
• Lead the transition from low-volume prototypes to repeatable, qualified, high-rate production builds.
• Own technical artifacts, design reviews, and clear-to-build criteria from early development through production readiness.
• Coordinate and lead assembly of development and qualification units, ensuring readiness for field testing and environmental validation.
• Architect and build the optical and manufacturing test equipment that makes production testing efficient and repeatable.
• Define and track hardware verification and validation metrics to ensure reliability in extreme operating environments.
• Partner with the founder and Chief Scientist to recruit and lead a high-performing hardware engineering team, setting the technical bar for the org.

Skills

Hardware architecture

Cross-functional leadership

System design

Prototype to production

Education

Mechanical/Electrical/Optical engineering degree or related field

Tools

Optical test equipment

Job description

Samson Rose is seeking a Lead Hardware Engineer to own hardware architecture across mechanical, electrical, optical, and test disciplines for a flagship sensing product line. You will guide the transition from prototypes to production and build a small, high-performing hardware team.

You will work directly with the founder and Chief Scientist to shape the roadmap as the product line expands into photonic sensing and navigation technologies.