Lead Hardware Engineer

A well-funded, early-stage hardware company building the manufacturing layer for a new class of photonic sensing devices, think of it as a foundry model for photonics. Their first products are chip-based optical sensing systems for aerospace and national security applications, where precision sensing components represent a significant share of overall system cost and value. The company is positioned to become a key supplier across multiple advanced programs. Backed by top-tier deep tech investors.

About the Role

As Lead Hardware Engineer, you'll own hardware architecture and execution across mechanical, electrical, optical, and test disciplines for the company's flagship sensing product line. You'll take high-precision electro-optical systems from early prototypes through qualification and into scaled production.

You'll lead trade studies to define system architectures, drive multidisciplinary design and integration, and build a small team of hardware engineers from concept to fielded product. You'll work directly with the founder and Chief Scientist, and help shape the roadmap as the product line expands into additional photonic sensing and navigation technologies.

What You'll Do

• Own hardware architecture, component selection, and detailed mechanical, electrical, optical, and test engineering for the flagship product line


• Lead the transition from low-volume prototypes to repeatable, qualified, high-rate production builds


• Own technical artifacts, design reviews, and clear-to-build criteria from early development through production readiness


• Coordinate and lead assembly of development and qualification units, ensuring readiness for field testing and environmental validation


• Architect and build the optical and manufacturing test equipment that makes production testing efficient and repeatable


• Define and track hardware verification and validation metrics to ensure reliability in extreme operating environments


• Partner with the founder and Chief Scientist to recruit and lead a high-performing hardware engineering team, setting the technical bar for the org

Required Qualifications

• Degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, optical engineering, physics, or a related technical field


• 8+ years developing and deploying complex electromechanical, electro-optical, or active sensing systems


• Deep skillset spanning mechanical, electrical, optical, and test disciplines, with proven experience in system design, architecture, and performance modeling


• Proven experience taking hardware from prototype through qualification into initial production, including leading first system builds


• Strong track record leading cross-functional engineering teams in a fast-paced environment


• Willingness to travel to test sites and manufacturing facilities


• Must be a U.S. person and able to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with active optical or imaging systems, precision sensing, or high-precision pointing architectures


• Track record moving hardware from low-TRL prototyping into high-reliability qualified production


• Hands-on experience with environmental testing standards (thermal, shock, vibration) and advanced simulation and optical test equipment


• Familiarity with photonic integrated circuits, optomechanical packaging, or wafer-scale manufacturing


• Experience with supply chain coordination, inventory management, and clear-to-build criteria for complex assemblies

Why Join

You'll build real photonics hardware from week one, on a team small enough that your work is directly visible in the product, while learning optomechanics and precision sensing design from engineers with three decades in the field. Few roles offer this combination of hands-on scope and senior mentorship this early.