Vice President of Engineering

Location: Denver, CO Reports To: Ben Meager, CEO / FounderAbout AZAKAZAK is transforming how the world moves. We are building the most capable Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) in defense, pound for pound. We don't just talk about power and structural adaptability—we prove it in the dirt. We recently secured a key Army contract, and our ~500-pound Gen 2.0 vehicle just successfully towed a 53,000-pound Army PLS.We achieve this through patented technology that places all drive components inside and below the center point of the wheel. This groundbreaking mechanical innovation gives our platforms the lowest possible center of gravity, extreme efficiency, and a modularity that completely frees up frame design.We briefly paused this VP of Engineering search a few months ago to execute a strategic pivot. With that successfully locked in and our momentum accelerating, we are back at it.We are looking for an exceptional engineering leader to drive our next phase of growth. Your mandate is to build, inspire, and run a high-performing team, anchoring our efforts with a mindset that turns complex physics into simple, elegant, and manufacturable hardware. We need a deeply technical, strategic builder who values practical execution and field validation over theoretical modeling. You should have a relentless work ethic, a deep care for the people building the product, and the uncompromising accountability of an owner.If you embrace the uncomfortable, lead from the front, and want to build hardware that deploys directly into the hands of the warfighter, this is your role.Responsibilities Engineering Leadership & Strategy Set and drive the technical roadmap, embodying strategic boldness by making decisive moves grounded in logic and long-term vision. Prioritize the "best" way over the "established" way, steering the engineering department through complex challenges with a driver's seat mentality. Anticipate technical and operational obstacles before they arrive, aligning engineering objectives with overall business goals. Mechanical Rigor & Product Development Lead the design, testing, and validation of our patented, highly integrated electromechanical systems, maintaining a strong emphasis on structural integrity, thermal management, and dynamics. Exhibit a devotion to excellence by treating every detail—from the first CAD model to the final manufactured system—with uncompromising rigor. Drive mastery in the minimal, actively stripping away the non-essential in our architectures to deliver high-performance solutions that are sophisticated yet inherently understood. Team Building & Culture Recruit, mentor, and scale a world-class, multi-disciplinary engineering team (mechanical, electrical, software, and controls). Cultivate a culture of debate and commit, encouraging "productive dissent" to pressure-test designs and strategies. Ensure that once a technical decision is reached, the team’s collective energy shifts entirely to flawless execution. Foster an environment of perpetual learning, constantly evaluating successes and failures to sharpen the team's craft. Cross-Functional Execution Partner tightly with operations, manufacturing, and business development teams to transition products from R&D prototype to scaled, high-volume production. Ensure products delivered to the manufacturing floor and ultimately to the end-user are as refined as they are rugged. Requirements 10+ years of leadership experience, with a proven background in mechanical engineering, hardware development, defense tech, or automotive mobility. Demonstrated radical ownership: A track record of taking full accountability for complex hardware programs from concept through commercialization. Devotion to excellence: Capable of balancing rapid, startup-paced iteration with the rigorous safety and reliability standards required for defense and mobility products. Exceptional mechanical intuition and problem-solving skills, with hands-on experience in complex system architecture. Experience scaling engineering teams and establishing lightweight, effective processes that accelerate development rather than hinder it. Excellent executive communication skills; ability to articulate complex engineering trade-offs to non-technical stakeholders and investors. Must be based in Denver, CO or willing to relocate.Preferred Skills Degree in Engineering. Experience taking novel electro-mechanical hardware from early R&D to high-volume manufacturing. Experience in high growth, fast-paced technology environments with a proven track record of continued success. Compensation & Benefits Cash compensation is targeted at $200,000 - $260,000 + equity package.100% company-paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.Paid time off.Fully subsidized supplemental benefits for unexpected medical events.Competitive parental leave.On-site meals three days a week.AZAK is reinventing the wheel, and revolutionizing mobility. AZAK is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.