Leads Agtonomy’s multidisciplinary hardware organization across electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering. Defines hardware strategy, builds teams, oversees products from concept through production, and manages OEM partnerships, manufacturing ramps, regulatory compliance, and integration of autonomous systems. The role requires extensive hardware leadership, successful product commercialization, manufacturing scale-up, and experience with industrial, automotive, or consumer electronics OEMs.
About Us
At Agtonomy, we’re not just building tech—we’re transforming how vital industries get work done. Our Physical AI and fleet services turn heavy machinery into intelligent, autonomous systems that tackle the toughest challenges in agriculture, turf, and beyond. Partnering with industry-leading equipment manufacturers, we’re creating a future where labor shortages, environmental strain and inefficiencies are relics of the past. Our team is a tight-knit group of bold thinkers—engineers, innovators and industry experts—who thrive on turning audacious ideas into reality. If you want to shape the future of industries that matter, this is your shot.
About the Role
As Head of Hardware, you’ll lead and grow the hardware organization, spanning electrical, mechanical and systems engineering. Our hardware products are designed to be OEM factory-fit solutions, so you’ll also be managing outwards and building strong relationships with our tier 1 equipment partners. We're looking for someone who combines technical excellence with strong leadership abilities and strategic thinking. The ideal candidate will be excited about building both great products and great teams, with a passion for building for the physical world.
What you'll do
- Define and drive the hardware vision, strategy and execution roadmap in alignment with overall company goals.
- Build, lead and mentor a high-performing, multidisciplinary team across electrical, mechanical and systems engineering.
- Partner closely with software, product, operations, test and supply chain leaders to ensure seamless integration across disciplines.
- Oversee full product lifecycle from concept through production, ensuring designs meet performance, cost, reliability and manufacturability requirements.
- Represent the company in technical discussions with partners, regulators and industry bodies.
- Manage relationships with engineering leaders at our partner OEMs including strategic integration planning, supply chain and manufacturing ramp.
What you'll bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field; Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.
- 10+ years of experience in hardware engineering, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role managing a team.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate at both strategic and hands-on levels.
- Proven track record of successfully bringing hardware products to market.
- Experience with regulatory compliance and quality standards in hardware development.
What makes you a strong fit
- Demonstrated experience scaling manufacturing operations, operationalizing new product introductions, and commercializing hardware products at a previous company.
- Experience working with OEMs in automotive, industrial or consumer electronics.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements and safety standards relevant to autonomy and global operations.
- Experience designing hardware solutions that enable software-defined vehicles.
- Experience building AI-enabled products for the physical world.
Benefits
• 100% covered medical, dental, and vision for the employee (partner, children, or family is additional)
• Commuter Benefits
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• 401k Plan
• Stock Options
• Collaborative work environment working alongside passionate mission-driven team!
Our interview process is generally conducted in five (5) phases:
1. Phone Screen with Hiring Manager (30 minutes)
2. Technical Evaluation in Domain (1 hour)
3. Technical Evaluation in Domain (1 hour)
4. Panel Interview (Video interviews scheduled with key stakeholders, each interview will be 30 to 60 minutes)
Agtonomy San Francisco, California, USA Office
San Francisco, CA, United States
Similar Jobs
Hardware • Industrial
Leads and scales the drone hardware engineering organization across mechanical, electrical, systems integration, and test disciplines. Owns hardware architecture, roadmap, product lifecycle execution, manufacturing readiness, reliability, failure investigations, and customer delivery. Builds technical leadership, partners with autonomy, software, manufacturing, and program teams, and guides products from prototyping through flight testing and high-volume production.
Top Skills:
Aerospace EngineeringDesign For Assembly (Dfa)Design For Manufacturing (Dfm)Enclosure DesignEnvironmental ProtectionEnvironmental Stress ScreeningFlight TestingHardware Test And ValidationMechanical EngineeringPcb DesignPower Distribution SystemsProduct DesignSchematic CaptureStructural DesignSystems IntegrationThermal Management
Hardware • Industrial
Leads the creation of a hardware manufacturing operations organization from 0 to 1. Owns global supplier selection and management, supply chain execution, NPI, design-for-excellence, quality, yield optimization, factory audits, contract negotiations, and mass-production readiness. Recruits and manages multidisciplinary operations, manufacturing engineering, and quality/reliability teams while delivering hardware products across multiple industry sectors.
Top Skills:
AteBom CostingDfxFateIatf 16949Iso 9001NpiPcba
Healthtech • Biotech • Pharmaceutical • Manufacturing
Leads Prolific Machines’ multidisciplinary hardware engineering function, overseeing illumination systems from R&D prototypes through customer-grade production and field deployment. Owns hardware strategy, roadmap, systems architecture, team development, external partners, productization, GMP readiness, quality practices, and electrical safety certification. Partners with the CTO and cross-functional leaders to translate company priorities into technical plans, budgets, hiring, and scalable hardware products for bioprocessing environments.
Top Skills:
Ce CertificationContract ManufacturingDesign For ManufacturingDesign For ServiceElectrical EngineeringEmbedded SystemsFda Design ControlsFirmwareGamp ValidationGmpHardware EngineeringIq/Oq/PqLaser IlluminationLed IlluminationMechatronicsOptical SystemsSystems EngineeringThermal ManagementUl Certification
What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene
San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area attracts more startup funding than any other region in the world. Home to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, leading VC firms and several of the world’s most valuable companies, the Bay Area is the place to go for anyone looking to make it big in the tech industry. That said, San Francisco has a lot to offer beyond technology thanks to a thriving art and music scene, excellent food and a short drive to several of the country’s most beautiful recreational areas.
Key Facts About San Francisco Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
- Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
- Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
