Head of Hardware
Chef Robotics· Engineering – Leadership
San Francisco, CA$180k - $280kFull-timePosted 8mo ago
About the role
Head of Hardware responsible for defining and executing the hardware strategy, overseeing system architecture for next-generation products, and leading a team of mechanical engineers and manufacturing technicians toward enterprise-level performance.
Responsibilities
- Oversee hardware architecture and system definition for both our existing solutions and our next-generation enterprise-focused products.
- Lead the transition from producing 2-3 units per week to a high-volume operation, with a target of deploying 100+ robots by year-end.
- Partner with Contract Manufacturers (CMs) and manage the global supply chain to aggressively reduce Bill of Materials (BOM) costs and improve lead times.
- Work closely with the Heads of Software, Autonomy, and Application Engineering to ensure tight hardware-software integration and prioritize features based on real-world data.
- Implement rigorous DFM (Design for Manufacturing) and DFA (Design for Assembly) standards to ensure enterprise-grade reliability in harsh kitchen environments.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of hardware engineering experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role (Director or VP level) at a robotics or complex electromechanical systems company.
- Demonstrated success in taking a product from low-volume 'lab' production to high-volume manufacturing via Tier-1 CMs.
- Deep expertise in mechatronics, motion control, and ruggedized system design.
- Experience managing complex BOMs and driving significant cost reductions without compromising quality.
Skills
Required:Hardware leadershipMechatronicsBOM management and cost reductionDFM / DFA
Nice to have:Supply chain and CM partnership
Benefits
- medical, dental, and vision insurance
- commuter benefits
- flexible paid time off (PTO)
- catered lunch
- 401(k) matching
Last updated Jul 22, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
About Chef Robotics
AI-enabled robots for the food industry
Chef Robotics provides the industry’s first flexible labor equivalent, helping food manufacturers increase throughput, reduce food giveaway, and improve consistency.
AI-enabled robotsfood industryrobotics as a service
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