Head of Hardware Engineering

Head of Hardware Engineering
SKEYEBOTS | India | Full-Time
About SKEYEBOTS
SKEYEBOTS is an AI-driven autonomous systems company developing intelligent hardware and software for unmanned platforms operating across aerial, ground, and maritime environments. We build for demanding, real-world conditions where reliability, performance, and resilience are non-negotiable.
We are backed by IIMK LIVE, supported by Cochin Shipyard Limited, and have received grant funding from national innovation programs. With active engineering operations in both Kochi and Bangalore, we are a well-funded, rapidly scaling organisation with strong institutional backing and an ambitious technology roadmap.

The Opportunity
SKEYEBOTS is at an inflection point. Our core technology is proven and deployed. We are now scaling — in team size, platform complexity, and operational ambition.
We are looking for an exceptional engineering leader to take full ownership of our hardware organisation. This is a founding leadership role. You will define the architecture, set the standards, build the team, and drive the roadmap for all hardware systems at SKEYEBOTS. You will be a key voice in how this company evolves as a deep technology organisation.
If you have spent years shipping complex hardware into demanding environments, have the systems thinking to integrate across hardware and software stacks, and want to build something that matters — this role was written for you.

What You'll Own
Hardware Architecture & Design Leadership
Define and own the hardware architecture across all SKEYEBOTS autonomous platforms
Lead end-to-end electronics development: component selection, schematic entry, multilayer PCB layout, routing, and manufacturing handoff
Establish and enforce design standards for EMI/EMC compliance, signal integrity, thermal management, and DFM
Architect power electronics systems — power supplies, battery management, protection circuits — for rugged, field-deployed operation
Review and approve all hardware designs before manufacturing; own the technical accountability
Firmware & Embedded Systems
Lead development of firmware in Embedded C for microcontroller and microprocessor-based subsystems
Architect and implement RTOS-based solutions for real-time, safety-critical embedded applications
Establish firmware development standards, code review practices, and version control discipline across the team
Drive hardware-firmware co-design from the earliest stages of development
Systems Integration & Validation
Own full-system integration across hardware, firmware, software, perception, and AI planning subsystems
Build deep working knowledge of ROS/ROS2, SLAM pipelines, computer vision systems, and AI-driven autonomy stacks — sufficient to lead integration and diagnose failures across all layers
Define and execute integration test plans that validate system behaviour under real-world operating conditions
Lead environmental, thermal, EMI/EMC, and reliability testing for all deployed systems
Develop test and validation frameworks that scale as the platform portfolio grows
Technology Strategy & R&D Leadership
Set the hardware technology roadmap in alignment with company objectives
Continuously evaluate emerging technologies, components, and methodologies; drive adoption where it advances the mission
Lead SKEYEBOTS' hardware R&D agenda — identifying unsolved problems, proposing research directions, and translating outcomes into product
Own the evolution of SKEYEBOTS' hardware IP
Team Building & Organisation Leadership
Build, mentor, and lead the hardware engineering team from the ground up
Define team structure, hiring priorities, and engineering processes as the organisation scales
Create a culture of rigour, ownership, and continuous improvement
Work directly with the CEO and cross-functional leads on technical direction and resource planning

What We're Looking For
Required
Master's degree or higher in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline
8+ years of hands-on professional experience in hardware engineering, with demonstrated ownership of complete systems from design through field deployment
Deep expertise in PCB/PCBA design: end-to-end multilayer board ownership, schematic through routing, DFM
Strong fundamentals in analog and digital circuit design — power electronics, filter design, oscillator circuits, protection circuits
Thorough understanding of EMI/EMC principles, signal integrity analysis, and compliance testing
Proven firmware engineering capability: Embedded C, microcontroller/microprocessor architectures, RTOS design and implementation
Experience integrating hardware with software stacks — including at least one of: ROS/ROS2, SLAM, computer vision, or AI planning systems
Track record of shipping critical hardware into real-world operating environments
Strong systems thinking: ability to anticipate failure modes, define risk mitigations, and design for reliability before a single board is built
Experience leading or mentoring engineering teams
Proficiency in PCB design tools: KiCad or Altium Designer
Preferred
PhD in a relevant discipline, or equivalent research/industry depth
Prior experience in autonomous systems, unmanned vehicles (aerial, ground, or maritime), or robotics platforms
Familiarity with embedded communication protocols: I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, Ethernet
Experience with IP-rated enclosures and ruggedised hardware design
Exposure to environmental and reliability qualification testing
Knowledge of 3D modelling for DFM and mechanical integration (SolidWorks or equivalent)
Experience hiring and scaling engineering teams in early-stage or high-growth environments
DGCA Remote Pilot Training (RPT) certification is a plus
What You'll Get
Competitive compensation — structured to reflect the seniority and scope of the role; discussed and agreed with the right candidate
Significant ESOP allocation — meaningful equity in a company with strong institutional backing and a clear growth trajectory
A direct, high-trust relationship with the founding team and CEO
The mandate and resources to build a world-class hardware organisation from the ground up
The opportunity to shape the technical identity of a deep-tech autonomous systems company
Mentorship and collaboration with industry experts across India and internationally
Location
SKEYEBOTS has active engineering operations in Kochi (Kerala) and Bangalore (Karnataka). This is an onsite role requiring regular presence across both locations. The specific base arrangement, travel cadence, and any relocation support will be discussed and structured around the right candidate.
How to Apply
Send your CV and a brief note on the most complex hardware system you have shipped — what you owned, what broke, and how you fixed it.
We move quickly. If your profile is a strong match, expect to hear from us within a week.

SKEYEBOTS is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate candidates solely on capability, experience, and drive.
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