Picogrid
Head of Hardware
El Segundo, CA · Director
Sponsorship not specified$220k-$270kDetected 131 days ago
Supply ChainFEAThermal AnalysisStructural AnalysisPCB DesignAltiumEmbedded SystemsElectrical EngineeringHardware DesignPower ElectronicsLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationMentoring
About the role
- This is a highly demanding, hands-on role for a true generalist and leader ready to stand up a world-class department from the ground up.
Responsibilities
- Lead the comprehensive hardware development lifecycle from initial concept and architecture through mass production.
- Architect and execute all technical aspects of electrical and embedded systems, including circuit design, PCB design and layout, component selection, and system integration.
- Architect and execute all technical aspects of mechanical and industrial design, including CAD, FEA, structural analysis, thermal analysis, DFMA, and GD&T.
- Participate in defining engineering process standards, part numbering and revision systems, vendor relationships, R&D of supply chain, and design philosophy.
- Define and implement the necessary design tools and methodologies for embedded design, ensuring a modern and efficient generalist hardware skillset across the team.
- Embody and teach how to use intuition, judgement, and domain knowledge to speed up technical decisions and the design process.
- Successfully stand up a fully operational Hardware Engineering Department, deliver the next generation of our consumer-focused physical products, and establish the technical infrastructure for long-term product success.
- Today, we're building the essential infrastructure to unify sensors, autonomy, and operators with our technology deployed in active operations around the world.
- Work with a team of hardworking, ambitious, world-leading talent to build the future of unmanned system behavior orchestration.
Requirements
- Ability to work with ambiguity in the managed chaos of a rapidly growing startup.
- Proven experience in taking at least two distinct products through the entire development lifecycle, from initial concept to high-volume manufacturing.
- Demonstrated expertise with Altium and Onshape software suites.
- Familiarity with Arena PLM.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with a clear ability to articulate technical strategy to executive leadership.
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Nice to have
- Experience as a former founder or founding engineer at a successful, fast-moving hardware startup, demonstrating the capacity for standing up a department or discipline from zero.
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field. (Degree not required).
- A track record of being prolific and delivering rapid, high-quality results in a resource-constrained and fast-paced environment.
- 401(k) with employer matching
- Relocation assistance provided (if applicable)
- Lunch provided when working in-office and a fully stocked kitchenette
- Preferred past founding or early stage fast-growth startup experience.
Compensation
- Unlimited PTO (two-week minimum) and 11 paid holidays per year
- $220,000- $270,000 per year.
- Base salary is just one part of your total compensation package at Picogrid.
Benefits
- Set the technical bar and drive a culture of being fast, flexible, and prolific, rapidly iterating on prototypes and moving from concept to high-volume production at record speed.
- Significant stock options with a high potential upside as an early-stage company
- Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance)
- Paid parental leave for both parents
Company info
- Picogrid is a leading venture-backed defense technology company founded to bridge the decades-long gap between modern technology and the critical demands of national security.
- Our mission is to deliver an operational advantage to secure the United States and its allies.
Equal opportunity
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- We are an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.
Visa & Work Authorization
- Export Control Requirements
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This listing is sourced directly from Picogrid's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.