Hardware Lead

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About the Company

Our client is an early-stage robotics and AI company building the intelligent software layer for physical security. Their mission is to enable robots and autonomous systems to perform dangerous repetitive and security-critical tasks safely and reliably in the real world.

Backed by experienced investors and led by a highly technical founding team theyre building next-generation autonomous security systems that combine robotics AI and modern infrastructure from the ground up.

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

About the Role

Were looking for a Hardware Lead to build and own the companys 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. Youll define hardware strategy own the development of robotic platforms make key build-versus-buy decisions and establish the engineering foundations that will support the companys next stage of growth.

During your first year youll remain deeply hands-ondesigning building testing and deploying real robotic systemswhile laying the groundwork for the hardware organization youll eventually lead.

What Youll 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 companys hardware engineering function
• Hire and mentor future hardware engineers as the business scales

What Were 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 youre excited about building world-class robotic hardware from the ground up while helping shape the future of AI-powered physical security wed love to hear from you...

Experience: years
Vacancy: 1