What are the responsibilities and job description for the Founding Hardware Systems Lead position at Petpin AI?
Founding Hardware Systems Lead
We’re looking for a Founding Hardware Systems Lead who has shipped real hardware and wants to own the physical product end-to-end.
This is a founding-level role with real ownership. You’ll work directly with the founding team to take the device from fast iteration to manufacturing readiness.
About Petpin
Petpin is building a wearable that turns pets into creators, capturing and sharing life from their point of view.
About the Role
You will lead hardware execution for the product: designing, building, debugging, and iterating quickly while keeping quality high.
This role is hands-on and outcome-driven. You’ll own hardware decisions across electronics, power, integration, reliability, and manufacturing readiness.
What You Will Work On
- Hardware system architecture and tradeoffs (performance, cost, reliability, timeline)
- PCB design, bring-up, iteration, and debugging
- Power management (battery, charging, thermal, efficiency)
- Sensor and module integration validation
- Hardware testing, failure analysis, and reliability improvements
- Working closely with firmware / embedded software on system-level issues
- Manufacturing readiness (DFM, test plans, vendor factory handoff)
You won’t be limited to a narrow task list.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who:
- Has shipped at least one hardware product to real users (consumer preferred)
- Can own the device end-to-end with high independence
- Has strong experience with electronics and hardware systems
- Thinks in constraints and makes good tradeoffs
- Communicates clearly, proactively, and is great to work with
- Moves fast without over-promising
Bonus if you have:
- Deep PCB power experience
- Embedded / firmware experience
- Experience taking a device from prototype → production readiness (EVT/DVT/DFM)
- Manufacturing experience (DFM, test strategy, vendor factory handoff)
You do not need to meet every requirement. We care more about ownership, judgment, and shipping.
Why This Role
This is an opportunity to:
- Own the physical product at a founding level
- Build hardware that ships to real users
- Make core architecture decisions early
- Earn meaningful equity and real responsibility
How to Apply
Message me with:
- A hardware product you shipped (links welcome)
- What you personally owned end-to-end