Technical Lead Autonomy Hardware (m/f/d)

<figure style="text-align:center;"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.fernride.com/"><img style="width:650px" src="https://recruitee-main.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/b8sbpn98trem3vs54lo7m8fynocgn4/Quantum-Systems-uebernimmt-Fernride-169FullWidth-1559f24-393125.avif"></a></figure><p class="Paragraph SCXW197832130 BCX0">Join Quantum-Systems and help bring autonomous ground systems into real-world operations. As Team Lead Autonomy Hardware, you will own the hardware backbone of our ground autonomy stack: the compute platform, the full sensorset (camera, radar, lidar, IMU, connectivity), and its integration into a wide range of vehicles, from partner truck OEMs and UGV manufacturers to our own Mandrill UGV.</p><p class="Paragraph SCXW197832130 BCX0" style="min-height: 1.7em;"></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW197832130 BCX0">This is a player-coach role: you will build and lead a high-performing, flexible, and experienced team while staying hands-on in design, verification, and integration. You will work at the intersection of autonomy software, vehicle manufacturers, our air and sea domains, and central supply chain, making sure our hardware is robust, reusable, and scalable.</p><p style="text-align:start;"><br></p><h4><strong>What is your Day to Day Mission:</strong></h4><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0"><strong>Team Leadership&nbsp;</strong></p><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Build, lead, and enable a high-performing, flexible, and experienced Autonomy Hardware team.</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Set priorities, ensure delivery quality, and establish best practices for design, documentation, and review.</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Stay hands-on: you challenge the design, review prototypes, and test alongside your team.</p></li></ul><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0"><strong>Autonomy Hardware Ownership (Compute &amp; Sensorset)</strong></p><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Ensure that you and your team:</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Own the autonomy compute platform and sensorset architecture: camera, radar, lidar, IMU, and connectivity.</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Define and evolve the network topology of the autonomy kit.</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Benchmark compute platforms and sensors and drive make/buy and vendor decisions.</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Integrate the autonomy hardware kit into various vehicle types: trucks from OEM partners, UGVs from external partners, and our own Mandrill UGV.</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Own mechanical, electrical, and electronic integration: mounting concepts, power, schematics,&nbsp; harness design, and interfaces.</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Design for robustness and demanding environmental conditions (vibration, temperature, EMC).</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Drive the full design process from concept to industrialisation: schematics, harness design, CAD, and simulation.</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Build and run VnV setups from breadboards and yellow boards to vehicle-level testing.</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Ensure designs are manufacturable and scalable: robust design principles, composition, and industrialisation.</p></li></ul><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0"><strong>Cross-Functional &amp; Cross-Domain Collaboration</strong></p><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Work hand-in-hand with our Software and Prototyping teams to align hardware with the autonomy stack.</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Collaborate closely with vehicle manufacturers (truck OEMs and UGV partners) as external and internal stakeholders.</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Align with our Air and Sea domains to reuse hardware and leverage economies of scale across Quantum-Systems.</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW18336535 BCX0"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW18336535 BCX0">Partner with central Supply Chain Management across the full lifecycle: early vendor engagement, sourcing, service agreements, and delivery schedules.</p></li></ul> <br> <h4><strong><br></strong></h4><h4><strong>What you bring to the team:</strong><br></h4><ul><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW28771052 BCX0">Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a comparable field.</p></li><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW28771052 BCX0">10+ years of hands-on hardware development experience; 2+ years in a leadership or team lead role.</p></li><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW28771052 BCX0">Background in automotive, defense, or robotics, ideally with experience integrating hardware into vehicles and working with OEMs.</p></li><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW28771052 BCX0">Strong expertise in sensor technologies (camera, radar, lidar, IMU) and embedded/edge compute platforms.</p></li><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW28771052 BCX0">Proven VnV experience: breadboards, yellow boards, benchmarking, and network topology design.</p></li><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW28771052 BCX0">Command of the full hardware design process: robust design for harsh environmental conditions, schematics, harness design, CAD, simulation, and industrialisation.</p></li><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW28771052 BCX0">Experience working with supply chain teams, from early vendor engagement to service agreements and delivery schedules.</p></li><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW28771052 BCX0">Strong communication and project management skills across engineering, partners, and suppliers; comfortable representing hardware topics towards OEMs and internal leadership.</p></li><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW28771052 BCX0">Fluent in German and English.</p></li><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW28771052 BCX0">Player-coach mindset: high ownership, pragmatic, and thriving in a fast-paced environment.</p><p class="Paragraph SCXW28771052 BCX0">&nbsp;</p></li></ul><p style="min-height: 1.7em;"></p><h4><strong>Your Benefits:&nbsp;</strong></h4><p style="min-height: 1.7em;"></p><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW113000096 BCX8"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW113000096 BCX8"><strong>Direct impact: </strong>See your contributions rapidly integrated from cutting-edge research into industrialized products, flying in the field within short development cycles.&nbsp;</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW113000096 BCX8"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW113000096 BCX8"><strong>Culture &amp; Environment: </strong>A dynamic, fast-paced, and collaborative startup environment with flat hierarchies, efficient collaboration, and a strong emphasis on continuous learning opportunities.&nbsp;</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW113000096 BCX8"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW113000096 BCX8"><strong>Work-life Balance: </strong>We offer flexible work schedules, and 30 days of paid vacation each year to support your personal and professional life.&nbsp;</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW113000096 BCX8"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW113000096 BCX8"><strong>Lunch Benefit: </strong>We promote healthy eating and the well-being of our employees with a monthly lunch budget.&nbsp;</p></li></ul><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW113000096 BCX8"><li><p class="Paragraph SCXW113000096 BCX8"><strong>Health &amp; Wellness:</strong> We support your physical well-being with a company-subsidized eGym Wellpass membership, giving you access to thousands of gyms and sports facilities.&nbsp;</p></li></ul><p>Find <a href="https://www.arbeitnow.com">Jobs in Germany</a> on Arbeitnow</a>