Vice President of Engineering

The Vice President of Engineering will lead Found’s engineering organization and own the scale-up of Found’s technologies from laboratory and sub-scale systems through pilot, demonstration, and commercial deployment. This role is accountable for engineering across the full project lifecycle, including translating R&D into system requirements, developing integrated process and equipment designs, coordinating with EPC and other engineering partners, supporting fabrication and construction, and carrying systems through commissioning, startup, and operation.

A central responsibility will be building the bridge between Found’s scientific and R&D capabilities and the robust industrial systems required for commercial deployment. The ideal candidate has firsthand experience scaling first-of-a-kind industrial technology and understands that successful engineering extends well beyond issuing drawings. They bring strong technical judgment, disciplined engineering practices, effective leadership, and a willingness to stay close to the hardware, the team, and project execution.

Position Summary

• Employment Type: Full-time
• Location: Cambridge, MA – On-site
• Reports To: Vice President of Operations
• Salary range: $220k -$250k with early-stage equity
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, matching 401K benefits and paid life insurance
• 20 days PTO, 11 holidays, 5 sick days, 12 weeks parental leave

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead Found Industries’ engineering organization and cross-functional technical teams to scale technologies from R&D through pilot and commercial deployment.
• Partner with R&D to translate experimental results into system requirements, process designs, equipment specifications, and integrated engineered systems.
• Lead development and integration of complex industrial systems spanning process equipment, electrochemical systems, controls, utilities, and balance of plant.
• Own engineering execution across the full project lifecycle, including design, procurement, fabrication, construction, commissioning, startup, and performance validation.
• Manage relationships with EPC firms, engineering contractors, equipment suppliers, and fabricators while maintaining strong internal technical ownership.
• Establish fit-for-purpose engineering processes, including design reviews, document and change control, technical risk management, and design verification.
• Ensure designs appropriately balance safety, performance, reliability, operability, cost, schedule, constructability, and maintainability.
• Build and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary engineering team and develop a culture of technical rigor, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with R&D, Operations, and Commercial leadership to define development priorities, technology readiness, resource requirements, and deployment plans.
• Represent Found’s technical capabilities and scale-up strategy with customers, industrial partners, government stakeholders, and other external parties.

Qualifications

Required

• Education: B.S. in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree is a strong plus.
• Experience: 15 plus years engineering leadership experience in industrial technology, heavy industry, process industries, or complex hardware systems.
• Demonstrated experience scaling technology from pilot or demonstration systems toward commercial deployment.
• Hands-on experience with the design, construction, commissioning, startup, or operation of industrial facilities.
• Experience working with EPC firms, engineering contractors, equipment suppliers, and fabricators.
• Experience building and leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of integrated process systems, systems engineering, and interfaces between multiple unit operations.
• Ability to translate R&D and emerging technology into safe, reliable, and commercially viable engineered systems.
• Strong technical judgment, organization, communication, and risk-management skills.
• Safety-conscious, proactive, and effective in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Ability to work full-time on-site in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Preferred Attributes

• First-of-a-kind pilot, demonstration, or commercial project experience.
• Mining, mineral processing, metals refining, hydrometallurgy, or chemical-process industry experience.
• Experience implementing new technology within operating industrial facilities.
• Familiarity with industrial equipment certification, UL/CSA requirements, or field labeling.
• Prior experience in a hardware or industrial technology startup.