VP of Hardware

Parallel Systems•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

Parallel Systems is seeking a VP of Hardware to own the design and execution of Pather, its autonomous, battery-electric rail vehicle, and lead the Hardware Engineering team through development and deployment. The role sets technical direction across the vehicle’s chassis, powertrain, braking, battery, sensors, electrical systems, and other hardware, while owning the hardware program schedule, development process, and vehicle costs. The VP of Hardware remains engaged in day-to-day engineering and testing and reports directly to the CEO. This senior leadership position also contributes to company strategy, customer success, and fundraising. The successful candidate has designed and delivered a complete vehicle at a startup or high-growth company and can lead new product introduction in an early-stage environment. They bring strong technical judgment, leadership, and ownership, including the ability to make decisions about scope, cost, and schedule with incomplete information. The role includes building and developing the engineering organization, partnering across software, autonomy, manufacturing, supply chain, and purchasing, and working with regulators and customers on technical requirements and safety cases.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in hardware engineering, including 5+ years leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Proven track record designing and delivering a complete vehicle, from concept through working vehicles in the field, at a startup or high-growth company.
Experience owning whole-vehicle architecture across mechanical, electrical, battery, and control systems.
Experience building and scaling engineering teams, including hiring engineers and developing them into leaders.
Experience taking products through analysis, testing, validation, and safety certification in a regulated environment.
Ability to operate in an early-stage environment and make fast, sound decisions with incomplete information.

Nice To Haves

Engineering leadership experience at an automotive startup or similar high-velocity hardware company.
Experience with vehicle manufacturing and production.
Strong knowledge of electric powertrains and braking systems.
Experience with high-voltage systems and autonomous platforms.
Experience with rail, heavy equipment, trucking, or other commercial vehicles.
Experience working with regulators such as the FRA or NHTSA.
Hands-on builder outside of work, such as with cars, bikes, or robots.

Responsibilities

Own system architecture and hardware design for the entire vehicle, including mechanical, electrical, power electronics, battery, thermal, braking, and running gear.
Own the end-to-end hardware program schedule, report on it regularly, and work with the CEO and leadership team on planning and execution.
Lead, hire, and grow the Hardware Engineering team, maintaining high standards for technical excellence and speed.
Establish the system and hardware development process for new product introduction (NPI), including design reviews and release gates.
Define and execute the vehicle verification and validation (V&V) plan, including end-of-line production checkouts.
Set the two-year hardware roadmap, including decisions about what to build, buy, or partner on.
Drive vehicle cost reductions in partnership with manufacturing, supply chain, and purchasing.
Work with autonomy and software engineering to design the vehicle as an integrated system.
Work with regulators and customers on technical requirements and safety cases.
Serve on the senior leadership team, shape company strategy, enable customer success, and support fundraising.