Top 10 Hardware Startups Hiring Now

Mihailo Bozic
Mihailo Bozic
Updated August 31, 2026 · 7 min read

The top hardware startups hiring right now on Migrate Mate include Nuro, Motional, and Velo3D, alongside companies working across autonomous vehicles, quantum computing, battery materials, and industrial robotics. Migrate Mate tracks 239 live open roles across 10 hardware startups as of August 31, 2026, updated daily. Hardware is one of the few sectors where software engineers, mechanical engineers, and operations specialists all build toward the same physical product, making it a distinctive environment for people who want to see their work at scale.

The 10 Hardware Startups hiring on Migrate Mate right now

Curated by our editorial team · 239 live roles from Migrate Mate, updated daily

  1. 01
    Nuro

    Nuro

    Autonomous VehiclesRoboticsOperations

    Nuro has 101 open roles on Migrate Mate as of August 31, 2026, the most of any hardware startup we track, concentrated in software engineering (25) and human resources (6). Nuro builds self-driving systems and operates autonomous delivery fleets focused on last-mile logistics. Its commercial deployment work means hardware and software roles connect directly to real-world fleet operations.

    Roles by team

    • Software Engineering25
    • Human Resources6
    • Project & Program Management6
    • Program Management2
    • Engineering (Non-Software)2

    +9 roles across other teams

    Open roles101 open
    Senior/Staff Systems Engineer, Platform Systems
    Mountain View, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Talent Management Program Manager
    Mountain View, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Shift Supervisor, Los Angeles, CA (PM Shift)
    Los Angeles, CA · On-site
    View Job
    People Systems Analyst
    Mountain View, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Senior/Staff Controls Engineer
    Mountain View, CA · On-site
    View Job
    See all 101 roles at Nuro
  2. 02
    Motional

    Motional

    Autonomous VehiclesAIEngineering

    Motional has 51 open roles on Migrate Mate as of August 31, 2026, concentrated in software engineering (10) and backend engineering (5). Motional develops autonomous vehicle technology through machine learning, motion planning, and AI systems engineering. The company has deployed robotaxi services in multiple U.S. markets, giving engineers direct exposure to production-level autonomous systems.

    Roles by team

    • Software Engineering10
    • Backend Engineering5
    • Engineering (Non-Software)4
    • Civil Engineering4
    • AI (Artificial Intelligence)4

    +22 roles across other teams

    Open roles51 open
    Senior Benefits Analyst
    Boston, MA · On-site
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    Strategic Sourcing Manager, Sensors
    Pittsburgh, PA · Hybrid
    View Job
    Associate AV Test Engineer
    Pittsburgh, PA · On-site
    View Job
    Senior Technician
    Pittsburgh, PA · Hybrid
    View Job
    Principal Engineer, Data & ML Infrastructure
    Boston, MA · On-site
    View Job
    See all 51 roles at Motional
  3. 03
    Velo3D

    Velo3D

    Additive ManufacturingAerospaceEngineering

    Velo3D has 29 open roles on Migrate Mate as of August 31, 2026, concentrated in AI (Artificial Intelligence) (4) and engineering (Non-Software) (4). Velo3D develops metal additive manufacturing systems that allow aerospace and industrial customers to 3D-print complex parts without traditional support structures. Its technology is qualified for flight-critical components used in rockets and turbines.

    Roles by team

    • AI (Artificial Intelligence)4
    • Engineering (Non-Software)4
    • Corporate Training3
    • Logistics & Inventory2
    • Business Operations2

    +10 roles across other teams

    Open roles29 open
    Manufacturing Technician 2 (2:00pm - 10:30pm Shift)
    Fremont, CA · On-site
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    Machine Shop Technician
    Fremont, CA · On-site
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    Process Technician (Swing Shift)
    Fremont, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Manufacturing Technician 2 (2:00pm - 10:30pm Shift)
    Livermore, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Manufacturing Technician 1 (2:00pm - 10:30pm Shift)
    Livermore, CA · On-site
    View Job
    See all 29 roles at Velo3D
  4. 04
    IonQ

    IonQ

    Quantum ComputingHardwareSoftware

    IonQ has 14 open roles on Migrate Mate as of August 31, 2026, concentrated in quality assurance & testing (QA Testing) (2) and engineering (Non-Software) (2). IonQ builds trapped-ion quantum computers and the software stack needed to run algorithms on quantum hardware. As a publicly traded quantum company, it hires across hardware physics, software engineering, and cloud integration.

    Roles by team

    • Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)2
    • Engineering (Non-Software)2
    • Maintenance & Repair1
    • Customer Service1
    • Compliance & Risk1

    +6 roles across other teams

    Open roles14 open
    Photonic Layout Engineer
    College Park, MD · Hybrid
    View Job
    Senior Technical Program Manager
    Louisville, CO · On-site
    View Job
    Senior Electrical Quality Inspector III
    Louisville, CO · On-site
    View Job
    Electronics Technician
    Broomfield, CO · On-site
    View Job
    Senior Process Technician, Packaging
    College Park, MD · On-site
    View Job
    See all 14 roles at IonQ
  5. 05
    Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc.

    Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc.

    Battery TechMaterials ScienceEngineering

    Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc. has 13 open roles on Migrate Mate as of August 31, 2026, concentrated in specialized engineering (8) and software engineering (2). Sila Nanotechnologies develops silicon anode battery materials designed to increase energy density in lithium-ion cells for electric vehicles and consumer electronics. The company has active partnerships with major automotive manufacturers.

    Roles by team

    • Specialized Engineering8
    • Software Engineering2
    • Manufacturing Operations1
    • Electrical Engineering1
    • Finance1
    Open roles13 open
    Forward Deployed Application Developer
    Alameda, CA · On-site
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    Engineer, R&D Battery Operations
    Alameda, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Environmental Program Manager
    Moses Lake, WA · On-site
    View Job
    Electrical and Controls Engineer
    Moses Lake, WA · On-site
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    Staff Applied ML Engineer
    Alameda, CA · On-site
    View Job
    See all 13 roles at Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc.
  6. Editor’s note

    What to look for in a hardware startup

    Hardware companies move differently from pure software firms, product cycles are longer, manufacturing constraints are real, and the gap between a prototype and a shipped product can span years. Before joining, it pays to understand where in that cycle a company sits and whether the team has the capital and roadmap to reach the next milestone. Look for evidence that leadership has navigated the transition from R&D to production before.

    Production Stage

    A company still in prototype phase carries more timeline risk than one with active deployments or customer contracts. Ask whether the product ships today and to whom.

    Funding Runway

    Hardware development is capital-intensive. Check the most recent funding round and whether the company has revenue or government contracts that reduce dependence on the next raise.

    Team Composition

    Strong hardware startups blend mechanical, electrical, and software engineers with operations leaders who have scaled physical products. A lopsided team is a risk signal worth probing in interviews.

  7. 06
    Hermeus

    Hermeus

    AerospaceEngineeringDefense

    Hermeus has 11 open roles on Migrate Mate as of August 31, 2026, concentrated in engineering (Non-Software) (4) and business operations (2). Hermeus is developing hypersonic aircraft for both commercial travel and government customers, targeting speeds that would compress transatlantic flights to under two hours. The team spans propulsion, aerodynamics, and flight systems engineering.

    Roles by team

    • Engineering (Non-Software)4
    • Business Operations2
    • Health & Safety1
    • Aviation Operations1
    • Electrical Engineering1

    +1 roles across other teams

    Open roles11 open
    Legal Counsel, Subcontracts & Supply Chain
    Los Angeles, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Associate Facilities Manager
    Los Angeles, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Facilities Manager
    Atlanta, GA · On-site
    View Job
    Senior Flight Software Engineer
    Los Angeles, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Avionics Electrical Engineer
    Atlanta, GA · On-site
    View Job
    See all 11 roles at Hermeus
  8. 07
    Serve Robotics

    Serve Robotics

    RoboticsAIDelivery Tech

    Serve Robotics has 10 open roles on Migrate Mate as of August 31, 2026, concentrated in specialized engineering (3) and business operations (2). Serve Robotics builds autonomous sidewalk delivery robots and the AI systems that navigate them through pedestrian environments. The company operates commercial fleets, putting software and hardware teams close to daily deployment data.

    Roles by team

    • Specialized Engineering3
    • Business Operations2
    • Product Management2
    • Electrical Engineering1
    • Compliance & Legal1

    +1 roles across other teams

    Open roles10 open
    Senior Manager, Hardware Engineering
    Redwood City, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Service Technician III
    Los Angeles, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Electrical Engineer
    Redwood City, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist
    Los Angeles, CA · On-site
    View Job
    Operations Coordinator
    Los Angeles, CA · On-site
    View Job
    See all 10 roles at Serve Robotics
  9. 08
    Berkshire Grey

    Berkshire Grey

    RoboticsAILogistics

    Berkshire Grey has 5 open roles on Migrate Mate as of August 31, 2026, concentrated in account management (2) and business analysis (1). Berkshire Grey builds AI-powered robotic automation systems for fulfillment centers and supply chain operations. Its deployments serve large retail and logistics customers, creating roles across robotics, machine vision, and systems integration.

    Roles by team

    • Account Management2
    • Business Analysis1
    • Automation QA1
    • Engineering (Non-Software)1
    Open roles5 open
    Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis
    Bedford, MA · On-site
    View Job
    Principal Modeling and Simulation Engineer
    Bedford, MA · Remote
    View Job
    Principal Mechanical Engineer
    Bedford, MA · On-site
    View Job
    Principal Electrical Engineer
    Bedford, MA · On-site
    View Job
    Sales Executive
    Bedford, MA · Remote
    View Job
    See all 5 roles at Berkshire Grey
  10. 09
    Bright Machines

    Bright Machines

    ManufacturingRoboticsSoftware

    Bright Machines has 3 open roles on Migrate Mate as of August 31, 2026, concentrated in logistics & fleet management (1) and corporate training (1). Bright Machines develops software-defined manufacturing systems that combine robotics with machine learning to automate assembly and inspection on the factory floor. Its platform is designed to make industrial automation adaptable without custom hardware builds.

    Roles by team

    • Logistics & Fleet Management1
    • Corporate Training1
    Open roles3 open
    Material Handler
    Florence, KY · On-site
    View Job
    Manufacturing Trainer
    Florence, KY · On-site
    View Job
    Manufacturing Trainer
    Florence, KY · On-site
    View Job
    See all 3 roles at Bright Machines
  11. 10
    Solid Power

    Solid Power

    Battery TechManufacturingEngineering

    Solid Power has 2 open roles on Migrate Mate as of August 31, 2026, concentrated in engineering (Non-Software) (1) and business operations (1). Solid Power develops solid-state battery cells with the potential to outperform conventional lithium-ion batteries on energy density and safety. Engineering, quality, and manufacturing operations roles support both research and scale-up production.

    Roles by team

    • Engineering (Non-Software)1
    • Business Operations1
    Open roles2 open
    Process Engineer II (Drying and Crystallization)
    Thornton, CO · On-site
    View Job
    Quality Lab Manager
    Denver, CO · On-site
    View Job
    See all 2 roles at Solid Power

How hardware startups pay and equity work

Compensation at hardware startups typically combines a base salary with an equity grant, and the balance between the two shifts depending on the company's stage. Later-stage companies with revenue or major customer contracts tend to offer base pay that tracks closely with large technology employers, while earlier-stage teams often offer larger option pools in exchange for a lower cash floor. Equity in hardware companies can carry meaningful upside, but it also takes longer to materialize given the time required to build and ship physical products. The day-to-day trade-off is worth thinking through honestly. Hardware roles often involve hands-on lab work, manufacturing floor time, or field deployment, environments that are fundamentally different from a remote software role. That physical dimension is a genuine draw for engineers who want to build something they can hold, but it also means fewer fully remote positions and more location-specific requirements tied to where a company's fabrication, testing, or operations infrastructure sits.

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Hardware Startups: Frequently Asked Questions

Which hardware startups are hiring the most right now?

Nuro is hiring the most, with 101 open roles on Migrate Mate as of August 31, 2026, followed by Motional (51) and Velo3D (29). Migrate Mate tracks 239 live roles across 10 hardware startups in total, updated daily, so the order shifts as companies open and close positions.

Do hardware startups pay well compared to larger tech companies?

Generally, yes. Growth-stage hardware startups are usually competitive with large tech employers on base salary, particularly for engineering roles where specialized skills are scarce. The difference shows up in the structure of the total package: more of the compensation sits in equity rather than cash bonuses or refreshers. At later-stage companies with revenue, base pay is closest to market rate. Earlier-stage startups tend to trade a lower base for a larger option grant, which can be valuable if the company reaches a liquidity event.

What kinds of roles do hardware startups typically hire for?

Hardware startups hire most heavily in software engineering, engineering (Non-Software), and specialized engineering. Across the 10 hardware startups Migrate Mate tracks, software engineering is the largest function at 37 of 239 open roles as of August 31, 2026, followed by engineering (Non-Software) (18) and specialized engineering (11).

Do hardware startups hire remotely?

It depends on the company and the function. Of the roles Migrate Mate tracks across these 10 hardware startups, 26% are remote or hybrid as of August 31, 2026. Remote availability varies by team and role, so each Migrate Mate listing shows its work location before you apply.