Head Of/Director, Hardware Engineering

Prolific Machines is ushering in a new era of biotechnology with light. Our first-of-its-kind optogenetic platform delivers unprecedented control, precisely guiding cellular behavior when and where it matters most. Unlike existing tools used to control biology, our technology enables dynamic, tunable control over virtually any cellular function in any cell type. We're enabling partners to unlock robust efficiency, quality, and reproducibility advantages across the most complex pharmaceuticals and therapeutic proteins. Prolific is supported by leading investors, including Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mayfield and SOSV.

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.

This is not a blank-slate role. You will inherit an exceptional, multidisciplinary team spanning mechatronics, optical, electrical, and firmware engineering that has already designed, built, and shipped illuminators into our own biology and bioprocess labs. They are highly skilled for their level of seniority, and the team has a culture we are genuinely proud of: collaborative, candid, and committed to doing excellent work. 

One discipline the team doesn't yet have is systems engineering, and we'd love you to bring it. That means architecting how our systems fit together: modular subsystems, clean interfaces, testable units, and components that are reused where it makes sense, all without over-engineering from the start. A systems engineering background is not strictly required, but a strong systems-level approach to hardware is central to this role.

At Prolific, hardware is an enabler rather than the product itself, working with partners over long trajectories. That makes it essential to be careful where rigor matters, and knowing the difference. 

As of today, Prolific is R&D-first: most of our hardware runs in our own labs and in early partner programs, not yet in large deployed fleets. But the timeline to customer-facing hardware is ambitious. The right person is energized by an R&D environment now and has done the R&D-to-product transition before, so they can lead the team through it rather than learn it along the way.

You don't need to be a biologist. Our scientists and bioprocess engineers work side by side with the hardware team, and you'll have deep biology expertise around you from day one. What we need from you is hardware leadership, strong communication and great curiosity.

In your first 6 to 12 months, you will:

• Get to know the team and take over day-to-day leadership in a way that preserves what already works well, while setting a clear operating rhythm for planning, design reviews, and delivery
• Own the roadmap for our next-generation illuminator platform, including oversight of external development partners
• Define the path to GMP readiness for systems used in partner manufacturing environments
• Set strong standards for documentation, communication and other good engineering practices
• Shape the team's growth: identify the gaps, write the hiring plan, and make the first hires

Hardware operations and project management have dedicated owners on the team. You'll work closely with them, but you won't be running the shop by yourself.

This role is based on-site in Emeryville, CA, with the flexibility to work remotely on occasion.

Responsibilities:

Requirements:

• 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
• A strong track record of mentoring engineers and growing individual contributors into leads
• Experience managing external development partners, contract manufacturers, or suppliers against defined scopes and milestones
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including explaining complex technical tradeoffs in scope, quality, time, and (human) resources to executives, partners, and non-engineers

Nice-to-Haves:

About You:

Benefits: Generous equity package in an early stage company, retirement plan with company contribution, flexible PTO with healthy time off minimums, company-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, career coaching, mental health support, free team lunches everyday, great snacks, and companywide social events!

Diversity: Prolific Machines values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where all employees can bring their authentic selves to work and have equal opportunities to succeed. Prolific Machines is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Location: The San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville, CA)

Compensation: USD 220,000 – 270,000 per year salary