- Robot type
- Defense
- Location
- El SegundoCaliforniaUSA
- Job type
- Hardware
- Posted
- Mar 13, 2026
- Salary
- $220,000–$270,000 a year
Full-time
Head of Hardware
Job description
Picogrid is a leading venture-backed defense technology company founded to bridge the decades-long gap between modern technology and the critical demands of national security. Today, we're building the essential infrastructure to unify sensors, autonomy, and operators with our technology deployed in active operations around the world. Our mission is to deliver an operational advantage to secure the United States and its allies.
Job responsibilities
- Lead the comprehensive hardware development lifecycle from initial concept and architecture through mass production.
- Architect and execute all technical aspects of electrical and embedded systems, including circuit design, PCB design and layout, component selection, and system integration.
- Architect and execute all technical aspects of mechanical and industrial design, including CAD, FEA, structural analysis, thermal analysis, DFMA, and GD&T.
- Participate in defining engineering process standards, part numbering and revision systems, vendor relationships, R&D of supply chain, and design philosophy.
- Define and implement the necessary design tools and methodologies for embedded design, ensuring a modern and efficient generalist hardware skillset across the team.
- Act as the primary interface between Engineering, and Manufacturing, ensuring a product-minded approach that balances technical requirements with user experience and aesthetic quality.
- Set the technical bar and drive a culture of being fast, flexible, and prolific, rapidly iterating on prototypes and moving from concept to high-volume production at record speed.
- Embody and teach how to use intuition, judgement, and domain knowledge to speed up technical decisions and the design process.
Job requirements
- 5+ years of progressive experience in hardware product development, with significant experience in a hands-on technical lead or director-level role.
- Preferred past founding or early stage fast-growth startup experience.
- Ability to work with ambiguity in the managed chaos of a rapidly growing startup.
- Expert-level proficiency in the full generalist hardware skillset, encompassing PCB design, power electronics, mixed-signal circuit design, firmware integration, CAD, mechanical/thermal engineering, industrial design,…
- Proven experience in taking at least two distinct products through the entire development lifecycle, from initial concept to high-volume manufacturing.
- Deep knowledge of DFMA (Design for Manufacturability and Assembly) and supply chain management for consumer electronics.
- Demonstrated expertise with Altium and Onshape software suites. Familiarity with Arena PLM.
- Passion for designing beautiful products.