Rise is looking for a VP of Engineering to lead their engineering organization and ensure the seamless integration of hardware and embedded software into a unified robotics product. This role requires defining and owning the engineering vision and strategy, shaping system architecture, and driving technical innovation to deliver robust, reliable, and manufacturable robotics platforms.
Requirements
- Deep technical expertise in embedded systems (firmware, RTOS, drivers, middleware), electronics/PCB design, sensor integration, robotics controls, system architecture, and manufacturing readiness.
- Proven track record of leading cross-disciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, firmware, embedded software, systems integration) and delivering complete product platforms to market (ideally both hardware + embedded software).
- 10+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience in hardware and embedded software development, preferably in robotics, industrial automation, autonomous systems or related high-complexity domain.
- Comfortable working on-site in Somerville, MA, and capable of being hands-on when necessary (not purely executive).
Responsibilities
- Shape system architecture for robotics platforms: mechanical, electrical, firmware, embedded software, sensors, controls, communication, and networking.
- Drive technical innovation and ensure engineering design excellence, robustness, reliability and manufacturability in hardware and embedded systems.
- Maintain awareness of emerging technologies in robotics, sensors, AI, embedded systems, and advise on how to incorporate them into future products.
- Ensure rigorous hardware and embedded software verification, validation, and compliance with relevant standards (e.g., safety, EMC, reliability, field durability).
- Drive design for manufacturability (DFM), design for test (DFT), reliability engineering, thermal/ mechanical/EMI/ESD compliance, and supplier/contract manufacturer engagement.
- Collaborate with operations and supply chain to move prototypes into pilot production and high-volume manufacturing while maintaining engineering integrity, field reliability and cost targets.
- Establish post-launch support, field feedback loops, & continuous improvement processes.
Other
- Build, mentor and lead a high-performing engineering organization: hardware engineering (mechanical & electrical), firmware & embedded software engineering, system integration, test & validation.
- Define and implement recruiting, onboarding, performance management, professional development, and retention strategies for engineering talent.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, learning and innovation.
- Establish appropriate organizational structure, processes, and communication mechanisms to support rapid development, scaling, and cross-discipline coordination.
- Oversee end-to-end product development lifecycle from concept through design, prototyping, testing, validation, manufacturing, and launch.
