VP of Robotic Hardware & Systems Design

Lyte; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Flexible vacation

Job summary

Lyte in Sunnyvale, CA, seeks a Director / VP of Mechanical Engineering & Product Design to lead the architecture and integration of robotic hardware platforms. You will own end-to-end integration of subsystems—mechanical structures, perception hardware, actuators, thermal, optics, and embedded electronics—into robust, manufacturable products.

You will collaborate with AI, perception, electrical, and manufacturing teams to ensure hardware enables world-class autonomy and reliability.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, or related field
• 12+ years of experience developing and shipping complex hardware systems, including 5+ years in engineering leadership
• Proven experience delivering robotic, autonomous, automotive, industrial, or consumer hardware products from concept to production
• Deep expertise in system integration across mechanical, sensing, actuation, thermal, and embedded systems
• Strong background in requirements management, ERS development, V&V, FMEA, and reliability engineering
• Experience leading formal hardware development review processes including PDR, CDR, design freeze, and production readiness reviews
• Hands-on expertise with 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks, NX, CATIA, Creo) and tolerance analysis methodologies
• Experience with DFM/DFA/DFT for precision mechanical assemblies and high-volume manufacturing
• Experience integrating perception hardware including cameras, LiDAR, radar, and IMUs into field-deployed systems
• Proficiency with simulation and analysis tools including FEA, CFD, and multibody dynamics
• Direct experience leading NPI and manufacturing ramp with global suppliers and contract manufacturers
• Strong technical leadership with the ability to remain hands-on when needed

Responsibilities

• Lead system-level architecture, design and integration for robotic and Physical AI platforms across mechanical, optical, sensing, thermal, actuation, and embedded systems
• Own requirements decomposition, subsystem interfaces, and engineering requirement specifications (ERS) across the hardware stack
• Drive system validation and verification (V&V), including test plans, acceptance criteria, field validation, and production qualification
• Establish and lead rigorous engineering review processes including PDRs (Preliminary Design Reviews), CDRs (Critical Design Reviews), and Build Readiness Reviews to ensure technical quality, cross-functional alignment, manufacturability, and execution readiness at every development stage
• Partner with AI and perception teams to translate autonomy and sensing requirements into hardware specifications and system constraints
• Lead system-level FMEA, risk analysis, and mitigation planning for reliability, safety, and performance
• Drive rapid prototyping and integration cycles to accelerate hardware iteration and deployment
• Own opto-mechanical integration for perception systems including cameras, LiDAR, IMUs, vibration isolation, alignment, and thermal stability
• Ensure mechanical excellence across structural integrity, thermal performance, ingress protection, and cable/harness management
• Lead DFM/DFA/DFT initiatives, tolerance analysis, and simulation workflows (FEA, CFD, multibody dynamics)
• Manage NPI execution from EVT through DVT, PVT, and mass production with Tier-1 suppliers and contract manufacturers. Establish handoff process from engineering to operations Org at mass production.
• Drive cost, manufacturability, and platform commonality initiatives across the hardware portfolio
• Build and lead a high-performing team of mechanical, systems integration, and product design engineers

Skills

System integration

Leadership

V&V

DFM/DFT

PDR/CDR

3D CAD

NPI manufacturing

ERS development

FMEA

Perception hardware

Education

BS/MS/PhD Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

CATIA

Creo

Job description

Lyte in Sunnyvale, CA, seeks a Director / VP of Mechanical Engineering & Product Design to lead the architecture and integration of robotic hardware platforms. You will own end-to-end integration of subsystems—mechanical structures, perception hardware, actuators, thermal, optics, and embedded electronics—into robust, manufacturable products.

You will collaborate with AI, perception, electrical, and manufacturing teams to ensure hardware enables world-class autonomy and reliability.