- Salary
- $150k – $175k/yr
- Location
- Belmont, California
- Type
- Full-time
- Department
- IT
- Source
- Y Combinator
Description
Role Description
Foundation Industries is building a software-defined factory: a vertically integrated manufacturing platform that connects quoting, DFM, scheduling, CAM/CNC programming, quality, and customer experience into one continuously improving system.
We’re hiring a Head of Software to own the platform's technical direction and execution. The work centers on the deep backend ERP/MES-like workflow engines, data models, and integrations that run the factory.
You’ll set the roadmap, architecture, and engineering standards; lead and grow the software team; and work directly with manufacturing, operations, and the founding team to turn company priorities into reliable production systems. You’ll also define Foundation’s approach to AI: practical, secure applications that accelerate engineering, automate operational workflows, and improve decision-making.
Near-term
- Own the software roadmap and execution cadence
- Develop deep context on the platform and factory
- Stabilize and harden the core backend
- Architect the platform for depth and scale
- Define a pragmatic, secure AI posture
Long-term
- Build the manufacturing operating system
- Scale the engineering organization and technical leadership
- Make AI a compounding advantage
- Strengthen reliability, security, and compliance
What we’re looking for
- Experience leading software teams and owning complex, stateful business systems in production
- Strong backend architecture judgment across APIs, databases, workflows, integrations, permissions, and internal tools
- Ability to model operational processes carefully and balance speed, correctness, reliability, and maintainability
- High ownership, practical judgment, and clear communication with technical and operational partners
- A track record of hiring, developing, and setting a high bar for engineers
- ERP, MES, manufacturing software, workflow systems, or applied AI experience is strongly preferred
Comp
- $150k-$175k annual salary
- Equity grant (early-stage, meaningful)
- Benefits and other details based on seniority and fit