Third Wave Automation · 9 hours ago
Sr. Tech Lead/Manager
Union City, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$168K/yr - $360K/yr
10+ years expThird Wave Automation is a rapidly growing startup focused on cutting-edge machine learning and robotics. They are looking for a Tech Lead/Manager to lead a team in maturing their robotics platform and transitioning products into large-scale production, ensuring reliability and performance enhancements.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)Industrial AutomationMachine LearningRobotics
No H1B
Responsibilities
Lead the "Final Mile" of Productization: Drive the transition from a functional prototype to a production-ready system. You will own the roadmap for reliability enhancements, performance tuning, and hardening the software stack to ensure 24/7 operational success across 1,000+ units
Scale with an AI-First Mindset: Champion the use of generative AI tools (e.g., Gemini, Cursor) within your team to automate the mundane—like generating unit tests and boilerplate—allowing your engineers to focus on the high-level architectural and safety challenges of mass-market robotics
Drive Engineering Maturity: Move the needle on "Quality-as-a-Product." You will establish the technical processes and rigorous documentation (e.g., interface specs, fail-safe logic, performance benchmarks) necessary to satisfy both internal standards and the expectations of a global industrial partner
Architect the Integration Strategy: Act as the primary technical leader driving how TWA’s software interfaces with the OEM’s hardware. You’ll identify technical risks early and propose innovative enhancements to the base vehicle platform to unlock new product capabilities
Foster a High-Performance Team: Provide direct technical mentorship and management for a small, focused team (4-5 engineers). You will cultivate a culture that balances the "move fast" spirit of a startup with the "get it right" discipline of an industrial leader
Bridge Technical & Product Goals: Partner with the TPM and Head of Engineering to translate complex system-level trade-offs into clear, actionable delivery milestones, ensuring our engineering efforts stay perfectly aligned with our 2026 market release
Qualification
Required
10+ years of progressive engineering experience, with a track record of bringing complex hardware/software products from prototype to mass commercial deployment (100+ units)
Deep expertise in the Product Development Lifecycle (PDLC) within robotics or autonomous vehicles; you understand how to move from 'functional code' to 'hardened product.'
Fluency with AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Cursor, Gemini, Copilot) and the ability to lead a team in using LLMs to accelerate the SDLC safely and effectively
Proficiency in C++ and Python, with a strong understanding of how to architect maintainable, production-grade code for real-world robotic systems
Proven experience in a Lead Engineering or Technical Architect role, with responsibility for the system-level design and integration of a multidisciplinary stack
Demonstrated ability to interface with mature external partners, conforming to established engineering, quality, and support processes without losing startup agility
Strong technical background in at least two of the following: Robotics systems architecture, vehicle control systems, functional safety, robust software/firmware design, or industrial hardware integration
Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable plans for both R&D engineers and senior leadership
Preferred
Prior experience in a leadership role (Engineering Manager or Tech Lead) managing a team of 4–5 engineers through a successful product launch
Familiarity with formal process methodologies (e.g., Stage-Gate, automotive APQP, or V-Model) and how to apply them pragmatically in a startup environment
Experience with safety-critical systems or products requiring formal certification (e.g., ISO 3691-4, ISO 13849)
Expertise in defining system-level requirements for manufacturing, quality assurance, and end-of-line (EOL) testing
Advanced Degree (MS/PhD) in Robotics, CS, or a related quantitative field
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits. Health, Dental, Vision, and a 401k matching program, to boot!
Flexible working schedule. Be productive when you work best.
Show & Tell. We love to learn from one another, and see the cool stuff everyone is working on!
Meals are covered. Lunch is provided every day, and dinner for those evenings that run long.
Stacks of snacks. Donuts are a main food group, and the snack shelf is always stocked with a wide variety of items.
Great teammates. One of the best parts of working here!
Company
Third Wave Automation
Third Wave Automation provides cloud robotics and machine learning technology to material handling automation.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$97MKey Investors
Woven CapitalQualcomm Ventures,Zebra TechnologiesNorwest
2024-10-30Series C· $27M
2023-02-15Series Unknown· $15M
2021-08-04Series B· $40M
Leadership Team
Arshan Poursohi
CEO, Co-Founder
Simon Biddiscombe
Advisor
Recent News
Qualcomm Ventures
2026-02-02
Company data provided by crunchbase