Senior Director, Hardware Engineering - Robotic Cell

Symbotic - Waltham, MA

Full-time - Senior

Waltham, MA

Warehousing and Storage

About the position

As the Senior Director of Hardware Engineering at Symbotic, you will play a pivotal role in leading the development of innovative robotic solutions that redefine warehouse automation. This position requires a hands-on approach to tackle complex hardware challenges while providing technical guidance to your team. You will ensure that our robotic and automation designs are not only innovative but also feasible, integrating a holistic understanding of mechanical, electrical, and industrial contexts into your work. Your leadership will be crucial in coaching and mentoring the hardware engineering team, fostering a culture of creativity and discipline in every project. You will be responsible for developing reports and managing high-performing teams, ensuring that our robotic solutions are mechanically and electrically sound through meticulous design, rigorous testing, and iterative refinement. In this role, you will also need to integrate an industrial perspective into our designs, focusing on critical aspects such as PLCs, motor systems, drives, and conveyance mechanisms. This will ensure that our automated and robotic solutions can thrive in real-world industrial environments. Collaboration is key; you will work closely with both hardware and software teams to ensure seamless integration of high-level and low-level software functionalities with hardware. Additionally, you will set the strategic direction for the hardware engineering department, aligning it with the company's overarching vision and goals while driving Key Performance Indicators across the team. Regular engagement with stakeholders, including department heads, executives, and external partners, will be essential to align on project objectives, deliverables, and timelines. You will also be expected to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in robotics and automation, delivering continuous improvement and value-add to our processes. This position may require travel of up to 25%, necessitating a valid driver's license and the ability to manage personal expenses for reimbursement.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on technical guidance and solutions for complex hardware challenges.
• Coach, mentor, and grow the hardware engineering team, ensuring a blend of creativity and discipline in every project.
• Ensure robotic solutions are mechanically and electrically sound through meticulous design and rigorous testing.
• Integrate an industrial perspective into designs, focusing on PLCs, motor systems, drives, and conveyance mechanisms.
• Foster collaboration between hardware and software teams for seamless integration of functionalities.
• Set the strategic direction for the hardware engineering department, aligning with company goals.
• Engage regularly with stakeholders to align on project objectives and timelines.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality.
• Stay updated with trends and best practices in robotics and automation for continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, or related field); Master's degree preferred.
• 15+ years in hardware engineering with a focus on automation, robotics, and/or automotive.
• Proven experience in designing and scaling industrial automation and robotic solutions.
• Hands-on expertise in mechanical, electrical, and industrial design, including industrial controllers and motor systems.
• Strong understanding of design principles, product life management, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience leading distributed/multi-location teams, including external design partners.
• Deep understanding of robotics from both mechanical and software automation perspectives.
• Familiarity with high-level and low-level software integration in robotic systems.
• Demonstrated leadership with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills for fostering collaboration.

Nice-to-haves

• Certifications or additional training in industrial systems, PLC programming, and conveyance systems.