Autonomy Development Hardware Lead

The Carbon Robotics Laser Weeder leverages advanced robotics, computer vision, AI/deep learning, and lasers to eliminate weeds with sub-millimeter accuracy-all without herbicides. This innovative solution reduces environmental impact, promotes soil health, and helps farmers address labor shortages and rising costs. Designed in Seattle and built at our cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Richland, Washington, the Laser Weeder is setting a new standard for automated weed control.

With $157 million in funding from prominent investors such as BOND, NVentures (NVIDIA's venture arm), Anthos Capital, Fuse Venture Capital, Ignition Partners, Revolution, Sozo Ventures, and Voyager Capital, Carbon Robotics is driving innovation.

As a no-nonsense team with a bias for action, we take pride in executing our ideas. Whether it's designing transformative technology or visiting farms to ensure our products are reliable and safe, we do whatever it takes to deliver for our customers.

Working here means tackling big problems with big impact. You'll find opportunities to grow professionally, solve complex challenges, and make meaningful contributions to a mission that matters. At Carbon Robotics, we trust our team to act independently and make practical, real-world decisions.

Join us as we innovate, execute, and build the future of farming together.

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Overview

This role is ideal for a hands-on technical leader who has shipped real hardware products-preferably in a fast-paced startup environment-and who thrives at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, embedded systems, and software. You will own the ATK hardware end-to-end, drive engineering execution, and ensure the platform performs reliably in both manufacturing and field environments.

What You'll Do

* Own the ATK hardware system holistically, including architecture, integration, reliability, and cross-functional alignment.

* Provide a clear technical vision for the engineering project team that is based on a deep understanding of the business, market, and technical requirements.

* Develop a detailed technical product development plan in coordination with Engineering leadership and the project team.

* Conduct and lead system-level design reviews, requirements definition, verification planning, and technical decision-making.

* Drive engineering development cycles, including:

* Risk identification and mitigation

* Rapid prototyping and iteration

* Root-cause analysis and corrective actions

* Responding to issues discovered in manufacturing or field deployments

* Provide mentorship to the hardware engineering team, providing technical direction, design guidance, and hands-on support when needed.

* Maintain deep awareness of the ATK program, including technical dependencies, customer issues, field performance, and product roadmap impacts.

* Maintain close integration with ATK Product Management, Program Management, Sales, Marketing, Field Operations, Procurement, and Manufacturing stakeholders.

* * Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, software, autonomy, and manufacturing teams to ensure system-level performance and reliability.

* Support manufacturing builds, supplier interactions, and field testing, ensuring designs scale effectively into production.

* Know when to dive deep as an individual contributor to unblock technical challenges across sensors, power systems, compute, harnessing, firmware/software integration and mechanical fixturing.

Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

for Success:

* Proven experience leading integrated hardware project engineering teams that have designed, built, and shipped complex physical products.

* Strong preference for candidates with startup or small-company experience, where ownership, speed, and adaptability are essential.

* Demonstrated success as a high-quality individual contributor engineer in electrical, mechanical, or mechatronic systems.

* System level design experience with vehicle electrical systems. Systems integration experience through full design cycle

* Experience with off-highway systems like hydraulics, electromechanical assemblies, vehicle controls, etc

* Experience with designing parts and complex assemblies in Solidworks or other CAD

* Experience working across sensors, compute modules, power systems, harnessing, and ruggedized enclosures is highly valuable.

* Ability to balance high-level system thinking with hands-on technical depth.

* Strong communication skills and the ability to influence across engineering, operations, and product teams.

Travel Requirements

* Approximately 40% travel per month, typically split across several short trips.

* Occasional weekend travel may be required during major releases, field testing, or urgent issue resolution.

Carbon Robotics follows equitable hiring practices. Flexibility in our hiring process allows hiring of talent at levels different from what are posted.  The compensation range outlined is based on a target budgeted base salary. Individual base pay…