Head of Hardware

The role

The Head of Hardware will lead all aspects of hardware development for the ESS platform, including mechanical, structural, thermal, reliability, and test domains. This leader will drive execution across subsystem design, integration, validation, and reliability to take products from prototype through production at scale.

What you will do

• Serve as the technical lead for all ESS hardware.
• Lead system design and ensure successful integration across electrical, mechanical, structural, and thermal systems.
• Define and maintain subsystem hardware requirements for HV/LV distribution, enclosures, interconnects, cooling, and protections.
• Own the reliability function including design for reliability, DFMEA, accelerated life testing, and lifetime prediction.
• Own verification testing for mechanical reliability, thermal cycling, HV insulation, seismic and structural performance.
• Oversee design-for-manufacturability and partner with Manufacturing Engineering and supply chain.
• Ensure compliance with certification and safety standards and represent Peak with certification bodies.
• Partner with Product, Software, Systems, and Cell functions for end-to-end product integration.
• Recruit, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary hardware team.

Required qualifications

• 10+ years of hardware engineering experience with at least 5 years in leadership roles.
• Proven track record of delivering high-voltage, high-power systems at scale.
• Prior experience taking a hardware product from prototype through production ramp at scale.
• Skilled with CAD (Siemens NX, SolidWorks, or CATIA) and analysis tools (FEA, CFD).
• Hands-on prototyping and validation experience.
• Strong understanding of certification and safety requirements for grid-scale storage or comparable high-reliability hardware.
• Excellent communicator and team builder.
• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

Nice to have

• Strong working knowledge of HV/LV electrical systems, bussing, and protections
• Experience scaling hardware teams in startups or high-growth environments (10+ to 30+ engineers)
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes for BESS enclosures, interconnects, and cooling systems
• Exposure to sodium-ion, lithium-ion, or other advanced battery technologies
• Prior experience partnering with contract manufacturers OR standing up in-house factory production
• Experience navigating certification bodies (UL, TÜV, Intertek) end-to-end on a shipping product
• Background in grid-scale energy storage, EV traction, or utility-scale renewables specifically

Benefits

• Flexible time off
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Strong 401(k) plan
• Equity opportunities
• Many great work perks

About the company

Peak Energy is the first American venture to advance globally proven Sodium-Ion battery systems as the storage standard for the new era of renewable energy on a resilient grid. The leadership team is powered by decades of expertise in scaling gigawatt-level innovation at world-class companies.