Senior/Staff TPM - Hardware

About the role

At Rhoda AI, we’re building the next generation of generalist intelligent robots. We own the full robotics stack from high-performance hardware and robot systems to the infrastructure and state-of-the-art foundation world models that control our robots. Our robots are designed to be generalists capable of operating in complex, real-world environments and handling long-tail edge cases, made possible by our cutting edge research and end-to-end system design. We've raised over $450M and are investing aggressively in model research, infrastructure, hardware development, and manufacturing scale-up to make generalist robotics a reality. As Senior/Staff TPM for Hardware, you own the cross-functional execution of our robot hardware programs, from system integration through EVT/DVT validation, low-volume builds, and early customer deployment. You sit at the intersection of mechanical, electronics, firmware, controls, AI, and manufacturing, driving each hardware generation from integration to build-ready and scaling toward the next. This is a deeply technical leadership role. You are expected to engage substantively with mechanical, electronics, firmware, and controls engineers, understand design tradeoffs, surface risk early, and hold the program to a high bar of engineering quality, decision velocity, and schedule integrity. Responsibilities: Program Execution - Own the hardware integrated master schedule (IMS) and drive EVT to DVT gate readiness. - Coordinate system integration milestones and ensure alignment between hardware freeze dates and AI/controls needs. - Track long-lead items and tooling readiness across all subsystems. Hardware Integration - Align actuator development and coordinate torque sensor validation and calibration plans. - Ensure EtherCAT network readiness and manage compute integration (edge inference platform). - Align camera and sensor selection and validation; track safety architecture validation (ISO 13849, IEC 61508 considerations). Manufacturing & NPI - Coordinate DFM workshops with shortlisted contract manufacturers. - Manage EVT/DVT builds with a low-volume NPI partner and drive ECO cadence. - Track tooling, fixtures, and test infrastructure readiness; ensure supply chain risk mitigation and dual sourcing where applicable. Risk & Decision Velocity - Maintain an active risk register (RPN-based prioritization) and escalate critical blockers with low decision latency. - Structure cross-functional resolution sessions and drive root-cause closure with clear accountability. Cross-Functional Ownership - Run weekly cross-functional execution reviews across mechanical, electronics, firmware, controls, and supply chain. - Define clear entry/exit criteria for EVT and DVT. - Coordinate test infrastructure needs (actuator rigs, dyno requirements, endurance testing). - Align certification workstreams (CE, UL, and regional requirements) for target deployment markets. - Drive readiness for low-volume build targets. What You'll Bring: Required: - 8+ years of experience in hardware program management in robotics, EV, aerospace, or complex electromechanical systems. - Demonstrated ownership of EVT/DVT/PVT cycles. - Strong understanding of actuator architectures, embedded systems integration, safety-rated motion control, and multi-axis robotic systems. - Experience managing contract manufacturers through NPI and low-volume ramp. - Proven ability to operate in low-structure startup environments. - Ability to synthesize technical risk into executive-level clarity. Nice to Have - Experience with humanoid or high-DoF robotic systems. - Familiarity with EtherCAT-based distributed architectures. - Familiarity with SIL2/SIL3 functional safety concepts. - Experience with real-time systems. - Experience scaling hardware from prototype to mid-volume production. Why This Role: - Own the execution of Rhoda's robot hardware from EVT through DVT and into early customer deployment: a rare opportunity to shape how a new robotics platform gets built. - Direct access to executive leadership and a clear path to program leadership as the hardware roadmap scales. - Be the connective tissue across every discipline building the robot: hardware, firmware, controls, AI, and manufacturing.