InnerPlant is hiring a Director of Hardware Engineering & Manufacturing to lead the commercial deployment of our proprietary IoT hardware ecosystem. You will be pivotal in scaling a fleet of devices across Midwestern soybean fields to support our CropVoice product, shaping our commercial hardware platform and delivering excellence across the entire product lifecycle.
What You'll Do
- Leverage your experience and network of third-party engineering and manufacturing firms to ruggedize and deploy a high-quality fleet of devices designed to capture fluorescence and RGB images of crops in the field.
- Oversee inventory, supply chain, and operations for a scaled fleet buildout.
- Develop and own the hardware roadmap and budget, and hire and manage the required team.
- Advise and collaborate with the prototype hardware engineering team to deliver continuous improvements.
- Communicate effectively with software developers, biologists, and other stakeholders to ensure devices run production-quality code and deliver high-quality data.
- Extensively travel during the crop growing season to ensure the setup, activation, and operation of devices across the Midwest.
What We're Looking For
- A Bachelor's or advanced degree in Engineering or a hard science.
- 6+ years of commercial hardware engineering with experience managing production and in-field maintenance.
- A strong network of outside vendors to build, repair, and improve devices as they evolve.
- Deep knowledge of electronics including lighting, cameras, and power management systems suited for outdoor, remote environments.
- Knowledge of wireless product design and networks (Wifi, BLE, cellular, GPS modules) and RTOS experience.
- Clear written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
- A proven track record of building and deploying IoT devices designed to withstand harsh field environments.
- Quick learning ability, resourcefulness, and a high tolerance for ambiguity.
- Strategic thinking and good judgment when making decisions.
- Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team setting and maintain respectful relationships with teammates.
- Ability to work independently and ask for guidance when needed.
- Authorization to work in the United States.
Nice to Have
- Background in agricultural sensors and/or robotics and autonomy.
- Knowledge of Python programming language, bash scripting, and embedded Linux.
- Experience with products incorporating resource-constrained computing environments, including single-board computers (e.g., Raspberry Pi) and microcontrollers.
- Passion for agriculture, particularly production agriculture in commodity row cropping systems. Previous agricultural experience is a plus.
Technical Stack
- Python, bash scripting, embedded Linux
- RTOS
- Wifi, BLE, cellular, GPS modules
Benefits & Compensation
- Compensation range: $150,000 to $200,000
- Competitive benefits and growth opportunities.
Work Mode
This is an onsite role based in the Midwest.
InnerPlant provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
