# Head Of/Director, Hardware Engineering at Prolific Machines

- Company: Prolific Machines
- What the company does: Backed by SOSV.
- Company website: http://prolific-machines.com
- Type: Startups (AI role)
- Level: Principal and up
- Location: Emeryville, California
- Work setup: On-site
- Pay: $220K to $270K base salary per year (USD)
- Posted: 2026-10-09
- Apply by: 2026-11-23
- Apply: https://jobs.lever.co/prolific-machines/504bb116-0ff6-4be0-840f-38b52dbdb5b2?utm_source=1752vc&utm_medium=careers
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/prolific-machines-head-of-director-hardware-engineering/

## About the role

We're looking for a senior hardware leader to own the hardware engineering function at Prolific: the team that designs and builds our illumination systems, the hardware that delivers light to cells from the bench to bioreactor scale. Reporting to our Co-Founder and CTO, you will lead the transition from validated prototypes to robust, customer-grade products. You'll be the voice of hardware in company planning and be a key partner to the CTO in shaping Prolific's technical direction. Found on 1752vc Careers, the job board for startup and VC roles.

## What they're looking for

- BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, Systems, or Biomedical Engineering, or a related field, equivalent experience considered
- 10+ years of relevant industry experience, including 3+ years leading a multidisciplinary hardware engineering team or department as a people manager (e.g. senior manager or director)
- Demonstrated experience taking at least one hardware product from R&D prototype through to production and field deployment, with concrete examples of what you'd do differently next time
- A track record of setting multi-year technical or functional strategy and translating it into execution plans, budgets, and resourcing
- Hands-on experience bringing hardware into a regulated environment: GMP, FDA design controls, or equivalent, and leading products through electrical safety certification (UL, CE, or similar)
- Deep technical expertise in at least one core discipline (mechanical, electrical, or optical) and enough breadth to make sound architecture calls across the others

Tags: Hardware

Source: 1752vc Careers, https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/prolific-machines-head-of-director-hardware-engineering/