Vice President of Engineering

Department: Aeris

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hayward, CA

Compensation: $245,000 - $265,000 / year

Description

About Aeris Technologies Inc
Aeris Technologies is a leading manufacturer of laser gas analyzers serving critical applications in environmental monitoring, industrial process control, and emissions measurement. As part of the Project Canary family since 2022, we combine innovative optical sensing technology with precision manufacturing to deliver industry-leading analytical instruments. We're currently executing a comprehensive transformation to strengthen our operational foundation and accelerate growth.

The Opportunity
We're seeking an experienced Vice President of Engineering to lead our engineering organization through a pivotal transformation phase. This role will oversee product development, sustaining engineering, and engineering operations while establishing the rigor, processes, and culture needed to scale our business. You'll inherit a talented team working on cutting-edge laser spectroscopy technology and transform it into a world-class engineering organization. 

In this role, you will directly lead Engineering efforts beginning with initial architecture studies through proof of concept into NPI and sustaining. This leader will drive technology make/buy decisions and project-level and strategic schedule/budget/resource balancing. Familiarity with Sensing technologies, microelectronics, and IoT communication protocols is critical. 

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Organization 

• Lead and develop the engineering team (hardware, firmware, software, optics, mechanical, and test engineering) 
• Build a culture of engineering excellence, innovation, and accountability 
• Partner with cross-functional leaders in Operations and Commercial teams 

Engineering Operations & Process Excellence 

• Implement robust engineering project management disciplines (stage-gate processes, project tracking, resource allocation) 
• Establish and enforce change management systems (ECO/ECN processes, revision control, configuration management) 
• Create transparent project visibility with stakeholders across the organization 
• Build design review processes that ensure quality, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness 
• Drive design-for-manufacturability (DFM) and design-for-test (DFT) principles 

Product Development & Innovation 

• Own product roadmap development in collaboration with Commercial and Operations teams 
• Lead new product development (NPD) processes from concept through production transfer 
• Drive cost reduction initiatives while maintaining product performance and quality 
• Ensure products meet competitive positioning against industry leaders (e.g., Picarro, ABB) 

Technical Excellence 

• Maintain deep understanding of laser spectroscopy, optical design, and precision instrumentation 
• Guide technical decision-making on complex optical, mechanical, and electronic designs 
• Establish engineering standards, best practices, and design guidelines 
• Build validation and verification protocols that ensure product reliability 
• Drive continuous improvement in product performance, quality, and cost 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Partner with Supply Chain on component selection, qualification, and supplier relationships, with a strong focus on minimizing inventory obsolescence 
• Work with Manufacturing to ensure smooth production transitions and resolve production issues 
• Collaborate with Quality on root cause analysis, corrective actions, and design improvements 
• Support Commercial team with technical sales support, customer specifications, and application engineering 

Skills Knowledge & Expertise

• Experience working with IoT devices, hardware & firmware engineering teams, and board-level electronics 
• 10+ years of experience in leadership at a $50+mm company known for engineering excellence and operational rigor. 
• A total of 5 years of experience at startups, supporting launch of products from prototype to mass production. 
• Demonstrated success in a high growth environment managing both Engineering and Operations teams. 
• Strong track record of cross-functional collaboration with Commercial and Manufacturing functions to drive development and execution of the product roadmap   
• Engineering degree, graduate degree preferred 
• Outstanding analytical skills and judgment. Skilled at gathering information, developing models, weighing relevant factors, and making decisions based on data, trends, and past experience. 
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills. Asks for and offers help when needed, a committed team player. 

Benefits

• Salary range: $245,000-$265,000 annual base
• Office located in Hayward, California
• Health, dental, and vision insurance with low deductibles and premiums paid by company 99% for self and 50% for dependents and/or spouse
• 401K with company match (no vesting period)
• Opportunity for equity ownership
• Student loan assistance
• Generous culture around time off, including: 
  • Unlimited PTO
  • 6 days of sick time per year 
  • 11 paid company holidays per year 
  • up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, including adoptions