Principal Engineer for Hardware (Robotics)

TL;DR

Principal Engineer for Hardware (Robotics): Taking technical ownership of the autonomous vehicle platform, integrating mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical systems with an accent on drive-by-wire and safety-critical architectures. Focus on driving Design-for-Manufacturing (DFM) and scaling from prototypes to volume production for aviation ground handling.

Location: Onsite in South San Francisco or Atlanta

Salary: $275,000 – $350,000 + Equity

Company

hirify.global is a Series A startup transforming ground handling with autonomous vehicles for airlines and ground service providers globally.

What you will do

• Set architectural direction for retrofit kits and integrated vehicle platforms, balancing cost, reliability, and safety.
• Own integration points for mechanical and electrical subsystems, including sensor mounts, compute enclosures, and wiring harnesses.
• Implement Design-for-Manufacturing (DFM) rigor to enable volume production without continuous engineering intervention.
• Partner with software teams to develop the next-generation drive-by-wire stack for steering, braking, and throttle.
• Lead the technical path toward certified drive-by-wire solutions meeting ISO 26262 and ISO 13849 standards.
• Manage technical relationships with suppliers and contract manufacturers from prototype to volume manufacturing.

Requirements

• 15+ years of hands-on hardware engineering experience with shipped products (vehicles, robotics, or industrial equipment).
• Dual depth in mechanical and electrical engineering, including PCB design and mechanical CAD.
• Proven experience taking products through DFM, supplier qualification, and into volume production.
• Direct experience with electromechanical actuation systems and their associated controls and firmware.
• Track record of building reliable hardware for 24/7 operation in hostile environments.
• Must be based in or able to work onsite in South San Francisco or Atlanta

Nice to have

• Experience with functional-safety standards such as ISO 26262, ISO 13849, or IEC 61508.
• Experience designing or qualifying certified drive-by-wire systems.
• Background in commercial vehicles, off-highway equipment, or aerospace ground systems.
• Prior experience as the most senior individual contributor in a hardware organization.

Culture & Benefits

• Direct impact on a real product currently in commercial operation.
• Broad scope across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and manufacturing.
• Competitive compensation with equity offers.
• Opportunity to solve high-value challenges in autonomous ground support equipment (GSE).