Senior Hardware Leader — Drones, Systems & Prototyping

Doist; Sausalito (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Equity Compensation

Comprehensive Health Coverage

HSA

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Seneca is spearheading the development of high-assurance drone and sensor hardware for wildfire suppression. The role leads architecture across airframe, propulsion, and thermal systems, while building a strong engineering team and collaborating with software, electrical, and operations to deliver integrated, field-ready solutions.

You will drive design-for-manufacturing and reliability, scale production, and work with field partners to ensure performance in extreme conditions.

Qualifications

• ~10+ years of hardware/mechanical engineering experience in drones/aerospace/robotics or similar electromechanical systems.
• Experience leading engineers or technical teams in early-stage startups.
• Strong CAD, FEA/CFD analysis, GD&T, DFM/ DFA with fast prototyping to production.

Responsibilities

• Define hardware architecture and roadmaps across airframe, propulsion, payload, and structures.
• Lead hands-on development from CAD to fabrication and testing.
• Recruit, mentor, and manage a high-caliber hardware team.
• Collaborate with software, electrical, product, and operations to deliver integrated systems.
• Ensure field-ready hardware for harsh environments and deploy readiness.

Skills

Hardware architecture

Team leadership

Aero structures

Propulsion systems

Thermal management

CAD

FPGA/embedded interactions

DFM/DFI

FMEA/DFMEA

Systems thinking

Tools

CAD software

FEA/CFD tools

GD&T

Job description

Seneca is spearheading the development of high-assurance drone and sensor hardware for wildfire suppression. The role leads architecture across airframe, propulsion, and thermal systems, while building a strong engineering team and collaborating with software, electrical, and operations to deliver integrated, field-ready solutions.

You will drive design-for-manufacturing and reliability, scale production, and work with field partners to ensure performance in extreme conditions.