VP Engineering

About ZELP

ZELP is an agricultural technology company committed to creating a sustainable future for agriculture - one that meets the needs of present and future generations, promoting human and environmental health, animal welfare, and social and economic equity.

We are currently developing a suite of technologies to mitigate and measure cattle methane emissions, which are responsible for almost 10% of the total greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. The deployment of our technologies on a global scale has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to eliminating emissions from all forms of transportation combined, and to greatly transform the beef and dairy industries.

Summary

ZELP is hiring a process-driven Vice President of Engineering to lead our engineering teams, driving innovation, quality, and timely delivery. You will oversee R&D, hardware/software design, testing, while playing a critical role in manufacturing— managing and working closely with the Heads of Product Development, Head of Software, and Head of Hardware, as well as collaborating closely with the COO/Manufacturing Lead to ensure seamless execution and scalability of our technologies. Reporting to the CEO, you'll work closely with cross-functional teams, manage budgets, ensure compliance, and mentor engineering talent. Collaborating with the CTO, you'll tackle technical challenges and align with the company's strategic objectives.

Technical Environment:

Our technology stack spans hardware and software, leveraging cutting-edge solutions to deliver innovative products. We utilize combustion and thermodynamic principles in our core hardware designs, complemented by high-voltage sparker electronics and a variety of sensors. Our devices are IoT-enabled, with a focus on power optimization and BLE connectivity, driven by embedded software. Data processing and analytics leverage AWS cloud services and machine learning algorithms. Our user experience is delivered through modern web and mobile applications, including a progressive web app (PWA) for optimal cross-platform performance.

Main Responsibilities

• Define and execute the engineering vision, aligning with company goals and contributing to strategic planning.


• Build, lead, and mentor engineering teams, fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture.


• Oversee efficient engineering processes, ensuring timely delivery, system of prioritisation, resource management, and budget adherence.


• Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure products meet quality, scalability, and innovation standards.


• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical and operational risks while ensuring compliance with industry regulations.


• Provide technical leadership across major projects, ensuring alignment with company objectives.


• Report progress to the executive team and board of directors.


• Engage with customers, partners, and vendors to align on technical needs and solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (electrical, mechanical, or computer-related fields); advanced degrees (Master’s in engineering, PhD, etc.) are a plus.


• 10+ years in engineering, with strong experience in hardware development, including design, prototyping, and testing. Experience with wearable technologies, combustion, agricultural, or animal monitoring devices is a plus. Ability to implement rigorous engineering processes and development standards.


• Proven experience in scaling hardware products from prototyping to mass manufacturing, ensuring reliability and cost efficiency.


• Solid understanding of machine learning principles and their application in hardware-integrated sensing systems.


• At least 5 years in a VP Engineering (or similar) role, with a proven track record of building and leading high-performing engineering teams, especially in start-up or small company environments. Demonstrated success in aligning teams around a technical vision and driving innovation.


• Experience working closely with operations and business teams to ensure strategic alignment towards driving results.


• Comfortable in a hands-on role, with a demonstrated ability to optimize resources, manage budgets, and deliver results with limited resources.

Benefits

• Flexible working with core hours between 10am and 4pm


• Flexible Work From Home days (depending on the role)


• Access to the founders


• Yoga and Team sports