Director of Hardware Engineering
$230,000–$275,000 year
HybridCarlsbad, California, United States
Job Summary
Lead a hardware engineering organization spanning mechanical and electrical disciplines, building a culture of shared ownership across product outcomes. Coach, mentor, and elevate existing functional heads to operate at the next level while setting standards for engineering excellence and accountability. Partner with Product & Programs to translate roadmaps into credible technical plans, ensuring teams deliver against commitments with the right balance of speed and rigor. Own engineering risk by surfacing issues early, planning deliberately, and resolving ambiguity when requirements are in motion. Ensure designs are manufacturable, serviceable, and robust for an industrial customer base, collaborating with operations and supply chain on production transitions. Drive learning from field performance back into design to compound product quality over time. Close technical bench gaps by establishing career paths, technical ladders, and hiring standards to scale the organization without diluting quality. Invest in senior engineers and emerging leaders who will define the next stage of the company.
Required Qualifications
- Proven success leading hardware engineering organizations that span both mechanical and electrical disciplines, delivering complex electromechanical products from concept through to production.
- Demonstrated experience managing managers, including stepping into organizations where existing leaders need coaching and development to grow into their roles.
- Deep technical credibility in at least one of mechanical or electrical engineering, with strong working fluency in the other.
- 12 or more years of engineering experience, with at least 5 in leadership roles overseeing multidisciplinary hardware teams.
- Bachelor's or graduate degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Demonstrated experience operating with high levels of ambiguity.
Desired Qualifications
- Prior experience with: Lithium ion, sodium ion, and other advanced energy storage technologies.
- Prior experience with: DC-to-DC converters and digital controls in power electronics.
- Prior experience with: High-voltage battery backup systems and pulsed power systems.
- Experience inheriting and turning around an engineering organization, including developing first-time managers into effective department heads.
- Experience in startups or high-growth technology companies, demonstrating adaptability and versatility across engineering disciplines.
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