Director of Hardware

Velo3D

Director of Hardware overseeing multidisciplinary engineering organization and executing Velo3D’s hardware systems strategy and development.

Posted 5/27/2026full-timeFremont • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $210,000 - $250,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the hardware engineering team (mechanical, electrical, systems, reliability, test).
Develop the long-term hardware roadmap in collaboration with Product and executive leadership.
Guide architecture decisions for next-generation AM platforms and subsystems.
Instill engineering rigor through documentation, design reviews, version control, and validation practices.
Oversee the design and development of electromechanical machine systems, including:
Print engines, gantry/motion systems
Thermal systems (heaters, sensors, environmental controls)
Electronics, PCBs, cables/harnesses
Power distribution and safety systems
Optics modules (if applicable for laser-based processes)
Mechanical/structural components
Ensure hardware designs meet performance, safety, manufacturability, and reliability targets.
Drive hardware from prototype through validation, regulatory compliance, and mass production.
Collaborate closely with Manufacturing to ensure designs are scalable, cost-efficient, and well-documented (DfM, DfA, DfR).
Own ECO processes, product lifecycle management, and release to production.
Implement robust reliability testing, HALT/HASS, environmental/thermal testing, and long-duration validation.
Ensure hardware meets relevant safety and compliance standards (UL, CE, FCC, etc.).
Build a data-driven reliability engineering function to improve uptime and field performance.
Collaborate with Field Service for field issue resolution and design improvements.
Work closely with Software, Materials Science, Firmware, and Manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration across the full AM ecosystem.
Partner with Supply Chain on component selection, vendor qualification, and cost optimization.
Collaborate with Program Management for schedule, deliverables, and milestones.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
10+ years of progressive experience in hardware or electromechanical product development, including leadership of engineering teams.
Demonstrated success delivering complex hardware products from concept through production and sustaining support.
Strong knowledge of hardware design, systems integration, manufacturing processes, and design-for-manufacturing principles.
Experience collaborating across Product, Software, Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality functions.
Strong organizational, project leadership, and communication skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Advanced degree in Engineering or a related field.
Experience with industrial equipment, capital equipment, precision systems, or advanced manufacturing environments.
Familiarity with embedded systems, controls, sensors, or other integrated hardware-software systems.
Experience working with suppliers, contract manufacturers, and external development partners.
Knowledge of quality systems, root cause analysis, reliability methods, and continuous improvement practices.

Benefits

Comp & perks

healthcare coverage
401(K) employer contributions

ATS Keywords

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

hardware engineeringelectromechanical product developmentsystems integrationdesign-for-manufacturingreliability testingHALTHASSenvironmental testingthermal testingdata-driven reliability engineering

Soft Skills

project leadershiporganizational skillscommunication skillscollaborationability to manage competing priorities

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical EngineeringBachelor’s degree in Mechanical EngineeringBachelor’s degree in Manufacturing EngineeringAdvanced degree in Engineering