Head of Hardware
agtonomy · South San Francisco, CA ·
- Work mode
- Onsite
- Seniority
- C level
- Category
- Hardware
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Salary
- USD 200,000 – 275,000 / year
Lead and grow Agtonomy's hardware organization (electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering) in South San Francisco, building OEM factory-fit hardware for autonomous heavy machinery. Oversee the full product lifecycle from concept to production while managing relationships with tier-1 equipment partners.
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)