VP of Engineering, Hardware

About Fourier

At Fourier, we're making on-site hydrogen universally accessible. Our breakthrough design enables highly modular and fully automated electrolyzer systems that scale to any size and optimize efficiency at all loads. Backed by leading venture capital firms, we're a team of passionate individuals, on a mission to transition the global energy landscape towards a sustainable and emission-free future. We're building a collaborative and innovative culture where every team member has a direct impact on our success.

Position Overview

Fourier seeks a VP of Hardware Engineering to lead our hardware development team that builds our electrolyzer systems. You will be responsible for the high level design and architectural directions, prototyping efforts, taking the product from design to late-stage manufacturing. Ideal candidates would have a demonstrated track record of successfully shipping industrial hardware products. You need to have a strong experience leading small teams of exceptional engineers, scaling up teams from the ground up while building a strong engineering culture. In this role you will help commercialize the product, grow a cross-functional team and play an important role in building energy resilience.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Reporting to the CEO, the VP of hardware engineering will be a part of the core leadership defining the strategy and design directions of our product.

• Oversee the hardware engineering on Fourier’s technology development teams responsible for the production devices, test stands, fabrication support, and stack hardware

• Prototype, plan timelines, and rapidly iterate to move from prototype to product

• Drive commercialization of our product towards successful completion of pilots and early deployments.

• Build and scale a world-class engineering team and develop leaders to grow with the company.

• Provide technical guidance and leadership to the engineering teams in order to maximize the pace of innovation and development

• Champion new ideas, technologies and directions while steering the team towards execution.

• Establish and implement the strategic direction of the company's engineering and development initiatives

• Drive and build upon our strong engineering culture that focuses on agency, accountability and velocity.

• Engage in continuous performance management to coach, recognize, celebrate, and inspire excellence while clearly communicating expectations and accountability.

• Develop Fourier’s collaborative and people-driven culture to enable individual growth and make Fourier one the best places to work. 

Must-Have Experience

• Team Building & Leadership: Proven experience scaling and leading a high-performing hardware engineering team—from an early core group to a larger, structured organization.
  

• End-to-End Hardware Development: Demonstrated success leading hardware programs from early-stage prototyping through to full-scale production, with an emphasis on technical execution and delivery.
  

• Operating in Resource-Constrained Environments: Hands-on leadership experience in a startup setting without deep financial backing—where scrappiness, prioritization, and efficiency were key to success.
  

• Deep, Non-Consumer Hardware Expertise: A strong background in complex, non-consumer hardware systems (e.g., industrial, medical devices, robotics, aerospace, automotive, etc.)—with a clear understanding of the technical and regulatory challenges involved.
  

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: A track record of working closely with cross-disciplinary teams (product, manufacturing, executive leadership) to align hardware development with company goals and milestones.
  

• Technical Strategy & Execution: Demonstrated ability to set and execute a clear technical vision for a hardware organization, including defining engineering processes, quality standards, and scaling roadmaps.

Qualifications and Skills

• At least 3 years of engineering leadership experience at director level or above

• Experience shipping successful products

• Experience working with cross-functional teams

• Experience working on agile products / with ambitious deadlines