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Sr. Tech Lead/Manager

Union City, Ca

Company Description

Third Wave Automation is a rapidly growing startup that has demonstrated its core technology components, proven its market fit, and just closed its Series C funding. If you are excited about cutting edge machine learning, robotics that affects the real world, and want to join a company where your skills can have a huge impact, you’ll fit right in. 

Third Wave Automation is applying modern machine learning to materials handling—delivering site-specific forklift navigation and infrastructure-free pallet handling that continuously adapts to changing floor configuration and warehouse demand. 

Job Description

Third Wave Automation is looking for a Tech Lead/Manager (TLM) to lead the charge in maturing one of our robotics platforms. We are currently transitioning one of our products into a massive scale-up (100–1000 units) in partnership with a world-leading forklift OEM.

In this role, you will lead a dedicated team of 4–5 engineers taking our system from 90% functional completeness to a 100% production-ready state. We empower our team with an AI-first engineering culture, leveraging LLMs and generative tools to accelerate the SDLC. As the TLM, you will champion this modern development stack to meet the rigorous expectations of a global industrial leader without sacrificing startup velocity. You are a "Systems-First" leader who can still jump into C++/Python code but spends your best cycles focusing on reliability enhancements, performance tuning, and the rigorous documentation required for a mature  product.

Success in this role hinges on cross-functional collaboration. You will partner closely with a Technical Program Manager (TPM) and the Head of Engineering to align delivery timelines with a well-defined technical scope. You will also serve as a primary technical interface with our OEM partner’s engineers, ensuring a deep understanding of forklift interfaces, sensors, and capabilities. Beyond integration, you will proactively propose enhancements to the OEM’s base solution to ensure we deliver a market-leading product.

This role is a cornerstone of TWA’s evolution from an R&D-focused startup to a premier product delivery company. You will leverage your broad experience in both server-based and robotic/hardware systems to drive successful delivery, helping TWA capture a billion-dollar market and delight customers at an unprecedented scale.

How You Can Make an Impact

  • 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.

Desired Qualifications

  • 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.

The pay range for this position is $168,000 - $360,000/yr+ benefits+equity; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  Base pay information is based on market location.

More About Working Here

Our Core Values:

  • Safety. We consider safety in everything we do.
  • People. We care about our teammates as people.
  • Encouragement. We encourage teaching, asking questions, and sharing opinions.
  • Transparency. We are transparent and sincere in our actions.

A robust set of benefits and perks:

  • 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!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We value each person's expertise and experiences. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. 

All qualified applicants able to work in the United States are encouraged to apply. We are unable to sponsor H-1 visas subject to fees required by the ‘Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers’ Presidential Proclamation dated September 21, 2025.

 

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