Hardware Lead | Zürich

About The Company
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.
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