Hardware Lead | Zürich

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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, they're 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

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...