Hardware Lead

• Location: Zürich, Switzerland (On-site)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Level: Director
• Work Authorization: Visa sponsorship and relocation support across Europe

About the Role

We’re looking for a Hardware Lead to build and own the company's hardware function from the ground up.

This is a rare opportunity to become the founding hardware leader at a robotics startup with an exceptional AI team already in place. You'll define hardware strategy, own the development of robotic platforms, make key build-versus-buy decisions, and establish the engineering foundations that will support the company's next stage of growth.

During your first year you'll remain deeply hands-on—designing, building, testing, and deploying real robotic systems—while laying the groundwork for the hardware organization you'll eventually lead.

What You’ll Do

Hardware Strategy

• Define the long-term hardware roadmap across ground robots, aerial platforms, and stationary sensing systems
• Make build-versus-buy decisions for robotic platforms and hardware architecture
• Work directly with founders on product and technology strategy

Hardware Engineering

• Design and integrate mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical systems
• Develop rugged hardware capable of operating reliably in demanding outdoor environments
• Integrate cameras, LiDAR, IMUs, GPS, audio sensors, and embedded compute platforms

Manufacturing & Supply Chain

• Own the hardware lifecycle from prototype through DVT, PVT, and production
• Manage manufacturing partners, suppliers, BOMs, and production planning
• Improve product reliability through testing, validation, and failure analysis

Systems Integration

• Work across hardware, firmware, robotics software, and AI teams
• Ensure hardware platforms support reliable deployment of autonomous AI systems
• Drive field testing and continuous product improvements

Team Building

• Build and grow the company's hardware engineering function
• Hire and mentor future hardware engineers as the business scales

What We’re Looking For

Must Have

• 8+ years of experience in robotics, autonomous systems, or advanced hardware engineering
• Proven experience taking robotic products from prototype through production and real-world deployment
• Strong expertise across mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering
• Hands‑on experience with DVT, PVT, manufacturing, and production scaling
• Experience ruggedizing hardware for outdoor or harsh operating environments
• Experience working with manufacturing partners and global supply chains
• Strong systems‑thinking mindset across hardware, firmware, and software
• Comfortable working in a highly hands‑on startup environment

Nice to Have

• Experience with ground robots, drones, or multiple robotic platforms
• Background in robotics, defence, security, industrial automation, or autonomous systems
• Experience with ROS 2 and robot bring‑up workflows
• Experience building a hardware team from the ground up
• Knowledge of embedded systems and sensor calibration

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Meaningful equity package
• Visa sponsorship and relocation support across Europe
• Direct collaboration with highly technical founders
• High ownership and real technical influence
• Opportunity to define the hardware strategy of an ambitious robotics company
• Access to cutting‑edge AI, robotics, and field deployment technology
• International, collaborative, and low‑ego engineering culture
• The opportunity to build hardware that powers the future of autonomous physical security

If you’re excited about building world‑class robotic hardware from the ground up while helping shape the future of AI‑powered physical security, we’d love to hear from you.