Director of Hardware - Velo3D

Position Overview:

The Director of Hardware is responsible for leading the strategy, development, and execution of Velo3D’s hardware systems across the full product lifecycle. This role oversees a multidisciplinary engineering organization and drives delivery of reliable, scalable, and manufacturable hardware solutions that support Velo3D’s integrated metal additive manufacturing platform.

This leader partners closely with Software, Product, Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Service teams to align technical priorities, accelerate development, and ensure successful transition from concept through production and continuous improvement.

Hardware Engineering Leadership

• Lead the hardware engineering team (mechanical, electrical, systems, reliability, test).
• Develop the long-term hardware roadmap in collaboration with Product and executive leadership.
• Guide architecture decisions for next-generation AM platforms and subsystems.
• Instill engineering rigor through documentation, design reviews, version control, and validation practices.

Design & Development of AM Hardware Systems

• Oversee the design and development of electromechanical machine systems, including:
• Print engines, gantry/motion systems
• Thermal systems (heaters, sensors, environmental controls)
• Electronics, PCBs, cables/harnesses
• Power distribution and safety systems
• Optics modules (if applicable for laser-based processes)
• Mechanical/structural components
• Ensure hardware designs meet performance, safety, manufacturability, and reliability targets.

Productization & Lifecycle Management

• Drive hardware from prototype through validation, regulatory compliance, and mass production.
• Collaborate closely with Manufacturing to ensure designs are scalable, cost-efficient, and well-documented (DfM, DfA, DfR).
• Own ECO processes, product lifecycle management, and release to production.

Reliability, Testing & Quality

• Implement robust reliability testing, HALT/HASS, environmental/thermal testing, and long-duration validation.
• Ensure hardware meets relevant safety and compliance standards (UL, CE, FCC, etc.).
• Build a data-driven reliability engineering function to improve uptime and field performance.
• Collaborate with Field Service for field issue resolution and design improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Software, Materials Science, Firmware, and Manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration across the full AM ecosystem.
• Partner with Supply Chain on component selection, vendor qualification, and cost optimization.
• Collaborate with Program Management for schedule, deliverables, and milestones.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.

10+ years of progressive experience in hardware or electromechanical product development, including leadership of engineering teams.

Demonstrated success delivering complex hardware products from concept through production and sustaining support.

Strong knowledge of hardware design, systems integration, manufacturing processes, and design-for-manufacturing principles.

Experience collaborating across Product, Software, Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality functions.

Strong organizational, project leadership, and communication skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree in Engineering or a related field.

Experience with industrial equipment, capital equipment, precision systems, or advanced manufacturing environments.

Familiarity with embedded systems, controls, sensors, or other integrated hardware-software systems.

Experience working with suppliers, contract manufacturers, and external development partners.

Knowledge of quality systems, root cause analysis, reliability methods, and continuous improvement practices.