Head of Hardware
Emeryville, California
Engineering (Hardware) /
Full time /
On-site
Prolific Machines is ushering in a new era of biotechnology with light. We harness light to produce everyday essentials more efficiently, from food and lifesaving drugs to novel biosolutions. Our first-of-its-kind photomolecular biology platform delivers unprecedented control, precisely guiding cellular behavior when and where it matters most. Unlike existing tools used to control biology, our technology unlocks dynamic control over virtually any cellular function in any cell type. We're enabling partners to unlock robust efficiency, quality, reproducibility, and sustainability advantages across pharmaceuticals, nutritional and therapeutic proteins, cellular agriculture, and more. Prolific is supported by leading investors, including Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mayfield and SOSV.
Help us create a brighter tomorrow with biology. We're looking for mission-driven, talented, and kind people to join our team.
About this Job
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of Hardware to lead our growing hardware development team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in biomechanical engineering, hardware design, and product development, with a proven track record of bringing biomedical devices from concept to market. As the Head of Hardware, you will report into the CTO and play a critical role in shaping the technical vision, strategy, and execution of our hardware initiatives, ensuring they meet regulatory standards and deliver exceptional performance and reliability.
Responsibilities
- Leadership and Management:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers, fostering a collaborative, motivating, fair, inspiring and innovative work environment
- Serve as the main liaison between the hardware team and senior company leadership, facilitating clear communication in both directions
- Drive the strategic direction of hardware development, aligning with company goals and objectives
- Manage resources, budgets, and timelines to ensure the successful delivery of hardware projects.
- Hardware Development:
- Oversee the entire hardware development lifecycle, from tech scoping, concept and prototyping to testing, validation, and production.
- Ensure hardware designs meet stringent regulatory and quality standards, particularly in the biopharmaceutical field.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software, firmware, biology and bioprocess development/engineering, to integrate hardware solutions seamlessly.
- Provide creative, cost-effective solutions to accelerate timelines. You know when to be flexible and when to be assertive and communicate what you know is right.
- Technical Expertise:
- Provide technical guidance and expertise in areas such as system design, sensor integration, and end-user experience.
- Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex hardware issues, ensuring high reliability and performance of all products.
- Customer Satisfaction & Regulatory Compliance:
- Manage relationships with hardware partners and early-stage customers.
- Set up robust quality control, in-field reliability and customer satisfaction practices.
- Ensure all hardware products comply with relevant regulations and standards.
- Develop and maintain documentation required for regulatory submissions and audits.
- Collaboration and Communication:
- Work closely with the executive team to align hardware development with business strategy and market needs.
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders, providing regular updates on project status, risks, and milestones.
- Foster relationships with external partners, suppliers, and manufacturers to support hardware development and production.
About you
- Master’s or PhD in Systems/Biomedical/Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (or BSc with 5 additional years of experience in hardware development).
- 10+ years of experience in hardware development, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
- Proven track record of successfully bringing devices to market.
- Strong technical expertise in hardware design, including systems engineering, circuit design, PCB layout, and sensor integration.
- Experience with tools for rapid prototyping techniques as well as small-scale production methods and processes.
- Working knowledge of firmware and software development, front-end/back-end design, microcontrollers, and IoT infrastructure.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with clarity in communication around the tradeoffs in scope, quality, time and (human) resources.
- You are a thoughtful coworker who cares deeply about the company's mission and culture. You foster a team environment and you actively seek impactful feedback.
- You thrive in a dynamic environment and can take on the plurality of challenges that are inherent to startups.
$190,000 - $230,000 a year
Diversity: We value diverse people, perspectives, and knowledge. To this end, we aim to foster a sense of belonging that enables everyone to bring their whole, authentic self to work everyday. We are committed to growing a diverse and inclusive team that encompasses all types of people. We believe this can only be achieved by acknowledging the ancestral, historic, and current systemic and communal inequities.
Location: The San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville, CA)
Benefits: Outstanding Health, Vision & Dental Insurance (including full spouse coverage), at least one all-expense-paid team holiday per year, flexibility in schedule and unlimited vacation days. Free lunch every day!
