Principal Hardware Engineer - Robotics

Prime Robotics is scaling our autonomous warehouse robotics systems and seeking a Principal Hardware Engineer to lead our US-based hardware engineering function. This is a rare opportunity to join as the founding US hardware leader, work directly with the CEO, and build the team as we grow.

You'll provide technical leadership for our mechatronics platforms, drive continuous improvement across our product line, and establish engineering excellence as we scale manufacturing and expand our product portfolio. This role will evolve into a VP Hardware Engineering position as the company and team grow.

What You'll Do

Technical Leadership (Immediate Focus)

• Lead reliability engineering and continuous improvement initiatives across our deployed robot platforms (RackBot ASRS, MobileShelf AMR, MobilePallet AMR)
• Conduct root cause analysis on field performance data and drive systematic improvements
• Provide technical direction and collaborate with our China-based engineering team (2 mechanical, 2 electrical engineers)
• Optimize designs for manufacturability, cost, and reliability as we transition manufacturing to the US
• Make critical technical decisions on mechanical and electrical system architecture

Product Development & Innovation

You'll lead the development of our next-generation product portfolio:

• Next generation robot platforms - Evolution of our core ASRS and AMR systems
• Robot forklifts - New autonomous forklift platform for warehouse operations
• VTU (Vertical Transfer Unit / Elevator system) - Critical subsystem for our ASRS
• PTU (Pallet Transfer Unit) - Automated pallet handling systems
• Common architecture and standards - Establish design standards, component libraries, and modular architecture across product line
• US Manufacturing capability - Lead design-for-manufacturing efforts as we establish domestic production

Additional responsibilities:

• Define sensor selection, integration strategies, and mechatronics architecture
• Drive DFM (Design for Manufacturing) and DFA (Design for Assembly) principles into all hardware development
• Support manufacturing transition and scale-up

Team Building (Future)

• Build and lead the US hardware engineering team as the company scales
• Transition into VP Hardware Engineering role in year 2+
• Establish engineering processes, standards, and culture

Requirements

This is a hands-on technical leadership role. You'll be working directly with the CEO, making critical decisions, debugging systems, reviewing designs, and driving solutions - not just delegating to others.

Experience & Technical Skills:

• 10-15+ years of hardware engineering experience with strong mechanical engineering foundation
• Experience with deployed products in demanding environments (automotive, aerospace, industrial equipment, robotics, medical devices, or similar)
• Deep understanding of mechatronics - mechanical and electrical systems integration
• Proven track record in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)
• Ability to read schematics and collaborate effectively on electrical system design
• Experience driving reliability improvements and root cause analysis on production systems
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently

Leadership & Execution:

• Track record of technical decision-making and ownership
• Comfortable being the go-to technical expert and problem solver
• Ability to provide technical direction to remote/distributed teams
• Hands-on approach - willing to debug, test, and build alongside any team
• Entrepreneurial mindset - comfortable with ambiguity and rapid iteration

Preferred:

• Mobile robotics or AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) experience
• Autonomous systems, perception, or sensor integration experience
• Experience simplifying complex designs for cost and manufacturability
• Experience managing or leading distributed engineering teams
• Background in high-volume manufacturing environments
• Material handling or warehouse automation experience

Onsite Location:

• Denver, CO (80205) - Full-time, onsite. We build physical products that require hands-on engineering, testing, and collaboration.

Travel:

• 2-3 trips per year to China to collaborate with engineering and manufacturing partners.
• Travel to cu