Hardware & Control Lead

About FireDome

FireDome is redefining how the world protects itself from wildfires. We are pioneering autonomous wildfire defense systems that detect and suppress fires in real time, shielding properties and communities before disaster strikes. Combining AI, robotics, and advanced automation, FireDome delivers Resilience-as-a-Service (RaaS) - a first-of-its-kind platform that makes wildfire protection intelligent, proactive, and always on. Our autonomous systems create real-time firebreaks, extinguish spot fires, and safeguard high-value sites across wildfire-prone regions.

Join a purpose-driven, fast-moving startup that’s turning breakthrough technology into lasting climate resilience — and help shape the future of wildfire protection, one system at a time.

About the Role

FireDome is seeking a Hardware & Control Lead to spearhead the design and development of our automated wildfire protection system - a multidisciplinary platform that integrates advanced hardware, embedded systems, and real-time automation and control.

This role is ideal for a hands-on engineering leader with a strong background in electrical and control systems, passionate about building robust, field-ready automation systems that operate reliably under demanding outdoor conditions.

The Hardware & Control Lead will manage a cross-functional team of electrical, automation, embedded and control engineers, guiding them from concept to production while ensuring design excellence, scalability, and system reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of FireDome’s hardware and control architecture, integrating mechanical, electrical, and software elements into a cohesive automated system.
• Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary team of electrical engineers, embedded engineers and automation/control engineers.
• Own system-level design decisions - sensors, power systems, embedded controls, and communication, including integration with a command and control system, a fully autonomous decision-making layer AI algorithm.
• Define and execute the roadmap for full system automation, moving from semiautomatic prototypes to autonomous operation.
• Oversee design reviews, testing, and validation of electrical and control subsystems.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams to ensure design for reliability, manufacturability, and cost efficiency.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and partners providing components, PCBs, and automation hardware.
• Define best practices, documentation standards, and engineering methodologies across the control and hardware domains, emphasizing knowledge retention and sharing within the organization

Requirements

• B.Sc. or higher in Electrical Engineering.
• 10+ years of hands-on experience in hardware design, automation, and control systems, including roles such as Hardware Engineer or Control Engineer.
• 3–5 years of experience leading R&D teams in multidisciplinary environments (hardware + embedded + control).
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with a collaborative mindset that inspires teamwork, shared ownership, and accountability across engineering and operations teams.
• Proven experience in developing and launching complex electro-mechanical or robotic systems from concept to production.
• Deep knowledge of embedded systems, sensors, actuators, motor drivers, PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), and system integration.
• Demonstrated ability to guide projects from prototype through validation to production.
• Advantage: strong familiarity with BLDC (Brushless DC) motors, motion control, and precision actuation systems.
• Advantage: experience with Codesys or comparable industrial control platforms, including programming, configuration, and integration