Autonomy Development Hardware Lead

Carbon Robotics

$180K — $200K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience leading integrated hardware engineering teams in product development.
  • Strong background in electrical, mechanical, or mechatronic systems with proven design and shipping experience.
  • Familiarity with off-highway systems including hydraulics and vehicle controls.
  • Proficient in CAD software, particularly Solidworks, for designing parts and assemblies.
  • Demonstrated communication and influencing skills across cross-functional teams.
  • Startup or small-company experience is highly preferred for adaptability and ownership.

Responsibilities

  • Own the ATK hardware system, including its architecture and cross-functional integration.
  • Create and communicate a clear technical vision for the project team.
  • Develop a detailed product development plan aligning with engineering leadership.
  • Lead design reviews and establish verification planning for engineering projects.
  • Drive risk identification and engineering cycles including rapid prototyping and root-cause analysis.
  • Mentor and guide the hardware engineering team with technical direction.
  • Coordinate closely with multiple stakeholders including product management and manufacturing teams.

Benefits

  • Fully-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.
  • Generous Flexible PTO policy.
  • 401(k) plan to support future savings.
  • Pre-IPO stock options providing potential equity value.
  • Inclusive and innovative company culture focusing on mission-driven success.
  • Additional support for mental health and wellness initiatives.
Full Job Description
Overview

This role is ideal for a hands-on technical leader who has shipped real hardware products-preferably in a fast-paced startup environment-and who thrives at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, embedded systems, and software. You will own the ATK hardware end-to-end, drive engineering execution, and ensure the platform performs reliably in both manufacturing and field environments.

What You'll Do
  • Own the ATK hardware system holistically, including architecture, integration, reliability, and cross-functional alignment.
  • Provide a clear technical vision for the engineering project team that is based on a deep understanding of the business, market, and technical requirements.
  • Develop a detailed technical product development plan in coordination with Engineering leadership and the project team.
    • Conduct and lead system-level design reviews, requirements definition, verification planning, and technical decision-making.
  • Drive engineering development cycles, including:
    • Risk identification and mitigation
    • Rapid prototyping and iteration
    • Root-cause analysis and corrective actions
    • Responding to issues discovered in manufacturing or field deployments
  • Provide mentorship to the hardware engineering team, providing technical direction, design guidance, and hands-on support when needed.
  • Maintain deep awareness of the ATK program, including technical dependencies, customer issues, field performance, and product roadmap impacts.
  • Maintain close integration with ATK Product Management, Program Management, Sales, Marketing, Field Operations, Procurement, and Manufacturing stakeholders.
  • Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, software, autonomy, and manufacturing teams to ensure system-level performance and reliability.
  • Support manufacturing builds, supplier interactions, and field testing, ensuring designs scale effectively into production.
  • Know when to dive deep as an individual contributor to unblock technical challenges across sensors, power systems, compute, harnessing, firmware/software integration and mechanical fixturing.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities for Success:
  • Proven experience leading integrated hardware project engineering teams that have designed, built, and shipped complex physical products.
  • Strong preference for candidates with startup or small-company experience, where ownership, speed, and adaptability are essential.
  • Demonstrated success as a high-quality individual contributor engineer in electrical, mechanical, or mechatronic systems.
  • System level design experience with vehicle electrical systems. Systems integration experience through full design cycle
  • Experience with off-highway systems like hydraulics, electromechanical assemblies, vehicle controls, etc
  • Experience with designing parts and complex assemblies in Solidworks or other CAD
  • Experience working across sensors, compute modules, power systems, harnessing, and ruggedized enclosures is highly valuable.
  • Ability to balance high-level system thinking with hands-on technical depth.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to influence across engineering, operations, and product teams.

Travel Requirements
  • Approximately 40% travel per month, typically split across several short trips.
  • Occasional weekend travel may be required during major releases, field testing, or urgent issue resolution.


Carbon Robotics follows equitable hiring practices. Flexibility in our hiring process allows hiring of talent at levels different from what are posted. The compensation range outlined is based on a target budgeted base salary. Individual base pay depends on various factors such as relevant experience and skill, Interview assessments and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements. Offers are determined using our equitable hiring practices. Carbon Robotics offers additional compensation in the form of benefits premiums, pre-IPO stock options and On Target Earning commissions for appropriate positions. Base pay ranges are reviewed each year. We are committed to the principle of pay equity - paying employees equitably for similar work.

Carbon Robotics' base salary pay range:

$180,000-$200,000 USD

We offer competitive compensation and benefits to our full time US based* employees, including:
  • Competitive salaries
  • Pre-IPO Stock Options
  • Generous Benefits:
    • Fully-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums for you and all dependents
      • Choice of PPO or HDHP/HSA
      • Virtual Care - Doctor on Demand
      • Employee Assistance Program
    • Mental Health HRA
    • Restricted Healthcare Travel support
    • Menopause Support
    • Life Insurance
    • Long Term Disability
    • Flexible PTO
    • 401(k) plan
    • Pet Insurance
    • Commuter Benefits
  • Work Culture: Be a part of an inclusive and tight-knit company culture that values innovation and mission-driven success.

*Internationally based employees benefits varies & Contractors are not eligible for Carbon Robotics Benefits or Stock

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