Founding Hardware Engineer
Who They Are
A small, well-funded ($3M pre-seed) robotics startup in Zürich building the software intelligence layer for physical security robots. The team is 4 people strong, software-first, and currently has zero in-house hardware expertise. That changes with this hire.
This is a founding role. They are building the hardware function from scratch: strategy, platforms, vendors, team and the person coming in owns all of it.
What They're Building
Autonomous ground, aerial, and stationary security robots designed to operate in the real world. Outdoors, all-weather, no lab conditions. The hardware has to survive in the field, not just look good in demos.
What They Need From You
They are looking for someone who has shipped at least one complex robotic system from prototype into field production. No exceptions.
Must-haves:
8+ years in robotics or closely adjacent hardware engineering
Taken a product through the full lifecycle: prototype to DVT to PVT to field production
Hands-on across mechanical, electrical, and systems integration: world-class in one, solid in the others
Proven track record ruggedizing hardware for outdoor or harsh environments
Experience managing contract manufacturers, supply chains, and BOMs
Able to reason across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software boundaries, no siloed thinking
Nice to have:
Experience with multiple robot form factors (wheeled, legged, aerial)
Background in defense, security, or industrial inspection
Familiarity with ROS 2
What They'll Be Doing
Define the hardware strategy across all platforms (build vs. partner vs. integrate)
Lead mechanical design, electrical systems, and sensor integration (LiDAR, cameras, IMU, GPS, audio)
Own the prototype-to-production pipeline and all vendor relationships
Drive field reliability, environmental qualification, and failure analysis programs
Build the hardware team as the company grows
Who Won't Work Here
Pure academics or researchers with no field deployment experience
People who can't handle being hands-on (building, testing, fixing) for at least the first year
Anyone who needs a large team to manage from day one
Anyone unwilling to relocate to Zürich