Head of Hardware Engineering

At Wisk, we're transforming the future of urban mobility through safe, all-electric, autonomous flight. We are a passionate team working together toward a sustainable future, solving high-impact problems that have never been solved before. By delivering everyday flight for everyone, we're making it possible to spend less time getting there and more time being there. If you want to be part of shaping the future of mobility, then read on!
The Head of Hardware Engineering will be a key part of the Technical Leadership Team and will need a combination of engineering people management and demonstrated technical acumen in the area of hardware development. This position will be responsible for directing the work of the following groups which each have established managers: electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, airframe, materials and processes, and manufacturing engineering.
The successful candidate will be respected in the aerospace engineering community as a highly organized self-starter who has direct hands-on experience developing and building type certified aircraft, from initial concept through flight testing and certification, with the technical breadth necessary to oversee all functions within the hardware engineering team. They must have strong experience as an organizational leader with a proven track record of hiring and overseeing highly talented and successful aerospace engineering teams. In this role, the candidate must be proactive, forward thinking and self-motivated with the ability to build and lead a team of like-minded engineers.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage all parts of the hardware engineering organization 
• Foster a culture that inspires high levels of performance and accountability 
• Balance the need for innovation with the development of requirements and processes of a type certified aircraft
• Help define the overarching design, test and certification approach 
• Drive focus on quality and reliability 
• Prioritize and allocate budget and resources for the engineering team
• Set annual goals and pro-actively analyze metrics to drive process improvements within engineering 
• Effectively partner with other members of the technical team to balance and achieve company goals 

Requirements

• 15+ years of direct experience in the design, development, build, qualification, test and certification in FAA or EASA certification projects and/or related projects. 
• Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical, Aerospace, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering 
• Master’s Degree or PhD strongly preferred 
• Demonstrated success leading an aerospace engineering organization with multiple functional areas, including new technology projects versus legacy systems
• Thorough understanding of certification requirements
• Ability to drive accountability appropriately within the organization, especially in service to schedule, scope and cost  
• Strategic thinker with very strong decision making and communication skills 
• Highly self-motivated with a strong bias for action, compassion, inclusivity, and excellent problem solving skills across multidisciplinary skill sets 
• Demonstrable experience selecting, managing, developing and motivating technically diverse teams.
• An excellent communicator (verbal and written) internally and externally, able to represent the company to the highest standards and report effectively to the senior management team on Engineering strategy, performance and outlook. 
• A visionary person who can adapt and drive innovation and performance as the company goes through rapid growth 

Desired

• Fosters an inclusive environment for the Engineering team including mentorship, guidance and encourages open communication regarding obstacles and suggestions for technology and project evolution. 
• Manages multiple projects simultaneously with an appropriate sense of urgency. 
• Quick-minded; creative, honest, inclusive, and understanding while remaining action and results oriented. 

We are located in Mountain View just a couple of hundred feet from Shoreline Lake and its surrounding walking/jogging trails. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision and life insurance (company pays 100% of employee premium), alternative work schedule (9/80), flexible time off, 10 company holidays, a 401(k) plan with 50% company matching (no vesting period), commuter assistance, and education assistance. And on top of all that, we also offer a variety of perks such as free catered lunches, flight lessons, gym membership subsidies, snacks, drinks, fruits, employee referral bonus, charitable giving match, patent bonus program, happy hours and many more.
In order to protect the health and safety of all Wisk employees in the workplace, we are requiring that all employees receive an FDA-authorized vaccination against COVID-19 prior to physically returning to Wisk’s U.S. offices. Exceptions/accommodations are considered for employees with disabilities or sincerely-held religious beliefs or practices that prevent them from being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Wisk Aero provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Wisk Aero abides by applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Wisk Aero is an E-Verify employer.