Head of Engineering

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Head of Engineering

role at

Gradient .

At Gradient, we aim to revolutionize home comfort while championing environmental sustainability. Our mission is to combat the escalating challenge of climate change by redefining how homes are heated and cooled. Today, the environmental impact of heating and cooling systems surpasses that of the entire transportation sector, and without intervention, this trend is set to accelerate. We believe that comfortable living spaces should not come at the cost of our planet. We envision a future where every individual can enjoy a luxury home without contributing to carbon emissions. Our high‑efficiency, low‑carbon heat pump is the start of a journey toward fully decarbonizing buildings. By joining Gradient, you’ll be at the forefront of a movement to make sustainable living accessible to all, ensuring healthier communities and a greener future.

The Head of Engineering (Hardware) will be a critical leader in driving Gradient’s growth and success. This role will oversee and direct the Electrical, Mechanical, and Thermal Engineering teams, ensuring the delivery, support, and evolution of high‑quality, reliable, and innovative heat‑pump systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in systems engineering and a proven track record of successfully managing engineering teams through product‑lifecycle development and sustaining processes (e.g., cost down, field‑issue response, and management). This leader will collaborate closely with the SVP of Software and Firmware Engineering and other cross‑functional teams to achieve the company’s strategic objectives.

The position is ideally based at our San Francisco headquarters; we will consider candidates for full‑time remote work anywhere in the US for exceptional talent.

Estimated salary :

$225,000 to $275,000 USD per year + equity. Compensation varies by geography, skills, education, experience and unique qualifications.

Responsibilities

Strategic leadership – develop and execute the strategic vision for the hardware engineering teams, aligning with overall business objectives.

Implement industry‑leading practices around failure analysis, continuous improvement, continuous design, and cross‑functional collaboration.

Stay ahead of emerging technology trends and market needs to keep Gradient innovative and competitive.

Lead, mentor, and cultivate the Electrical, Mechanical, and Thermal Engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

Recruit, retain, and support diverse engineering talent, ensuring equitable growth opportunities.

Establish clear performance metrics, accountability, and empowerment for team members.

Apply deep systems engineering principles to integrate electrical, mechanical, and thermal components into innovative heat‑pump solutions.

Oversee design, development, and testing of complex heat‑pump systems.

Champion continuous improvement in product performance, reliability, and efficiency.

Partner with the SVP of Software and Firmware Engineering to ensure seamless hardware‑software integration.

Work closely with product management, sales, marketing, and manufacturing teams to align priorities and execution strategies.

Collaborate with manufacturing to adopt Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) best practices.

Manage the entire hardware product lifecycle from concept to production and beyond.

Ensure products meet quality standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.

Drive efficient product development and release processes, optimizing speed to market.

Develop and manage the hardware engineering budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.

Optimize engineering processes and workflows to maximize productivity and minimize costs.

Desired Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.

15+ years of experience in hardware engineering with a focus on systems engineering.

Proven experience leading and managing engineering teams.

Strong background in thermal management, HVAC systems, or related fields.

Demonstrated success in building engineering teams deploying and maintaining hardware products.

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.

Strategic problem‑solving and analytical abilities.

Experience with product lifecycle management and quality assurance processes.

Experience with high‑volume manufacturing and scaling a product.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in the HVAC industry or related fields.

Experience with heat‑pump technology.

Experience with regulatory compliance and product certification.

Experience with a startup environment.

Benefits

Equity.

Medical / vision / dental / life / disability insurance.

401(k).

Paid parental leave.

Professional development stipend.

Commuter benefits.

Flexible PTO.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive company. We seek to create a culture where everyone can belong because we believe people do their best work when they can show up as their authentic selves. We welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives.

Equal Opportunity Employer :

Gradient is an equal opportunity employer. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local law.

Referral opportunities increase your chances of interviewing by 2x.

Senior level : Director

Employment type : Full‑time

Job function :

Engineering and Information Technology

Industry : Manufacturing

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