At Zero Point Motion, we’re redefining the boundaries of sensor technology by merging the cutting edge of photonics, semiconductors, and big data. Our mission is to deliver unprecedented precision in positioning and navigation systems by creating state of the art inertial sensors to accelerate autonomy. Our future vision is to transform all semiconductor sensors with silicon photonics. This is not business as usual. We’re rethinking sensor systems from the ground up, embracing cross-domain innovation, tackling the impossible, and delivering technology that transforms how the world navigates and interacts with data.

If you’re a proven technical leader who will give your all to solving complex problems, building high-performing teams, and shipping exceptional hardware products fast, we want you on our team.

What you’ll do at ZPM

This is more than just a job - it’s an opportunity to redefine the future. You stay close to the edge of what’s possible, tracking trends, reading papers, asking sharper questions. You believe in clarity but move fast. You have taste. You coach by doing. You push back respectfully, logically, and then commit even when we don’t fully agree. You care about technology, but also about people, boards, fundraising, hiring, and culture because the system matters. You build not just devices, but momentum. You’re here for the slope (rate of learning and delivery), the taste (nothing passes until it’s excellent), and the will (sheer determination to make it real). If you’re reading this and nodding, come build the rocketship with us.

As VP of Engineering, you’ll lead and scale our technical organisation, operating at the intersection of MEMS, photonics, electronics, and software. You’ll be hands-on in the crunch, but also able to zoom out and turn advanced R&D into real-world products. You’ll set the pace, raise the bar, and shape the culture as much as the technology.

Your key responsibilities will include

• Build and lead a high-calibre technical team across MEMS design, electronics, firmware, and software.

• Translate our technical vision into a manufacturing-ready product roadmap, in close collaboration with the CEO, COO, and Systems Architect.

• Own technical delivery of our roadmap: oversee prototyping, de-risk development, and drive production readiness.

• Roll up your sleeves: get into the details of design, debug and delivery when it counts.

• Establish velocity and quality: set up processes that accelerate rapid demo to product iterations, without adding bureaucracy.

• Lead technical reviews, ensure DFM/DFT best practice, and minimise technical debt.

• Shape and manage foundry and supply chain relationships together with the COO.

• Foster a strong culture of ownership, accountability, and technical excellence across the team.

• Work with our Lead Architect to drive continuous improvement in engineering operations, from tooling to testing frameworks

• Partner across functions to align technical milestones with commercial and product goals.

What you’ll bring to the role

• Proven leadership experience in deep tech or hardware startups, ideally in MEMS, semiconductors, sensors, or tightly integrated systems. Ideally experience in teams of <5 where you helped scale.

• Deep technical background in MEMS, sensors, ASICs, electronics, or similar - plus fluency in integrating with software and systems. With opinions on what’s elegant, scalable, and excellent.

• If MEMS-only: you must have led design wins hands-on before managing teams; seen a product go from zero to high-volume (>100k/year); ideally with ASIC understanding.

• If ASIC-only: you must have shipped at very high volumes (>1M/year) while staying hands-on, including backend (test, packaging, yield). This is about leading and doing, combining design leadership with hands-on technical impact.

• If photonics-only: you must understand that photonics has not yet reached high-volume success, and therefore be open to learning very fast how to build that supply chain and adopt the mentality required to reach scale. Involvement in backend areas (testing, architecture, electronics, control, scaling) is essential.

• If non-semiconductor sensors: you must have delivered complex subsystems (e.g. robotics) with a polymath mentality, learning fast across fields, scaling products, and overcoming “world-first” challenges where no supply chain solutions existed.

• Track record of building and scaling high-performing engineering teams.

• Strong technical delivery mindset, from setting goals and processes to executing at pace.

• Commercial awareness, able to balance technical decisions with customer needs and business impact.

• Strong communication: you write well, you explain clearly, you inspire. Fluency across hardware, electronics, and software integration. Comfort operating in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment where “done right” beats “done safe.”

What success looks like in your first six months

• A clearly documented and aligned roadmap across technical and commercial priorities.

• Product development milestones being hit or exceeded, not by change, but by design

• A scalable team structure in place, with key hires targeted.

• A culture being actively shaped by you daily, working closely with the CEO and management team - where excellence, accountability, and velocity are not slogans but lived realities. Improved internal processes and tools that accelerate development speed without compromising quality

Working with us

• Compensation: Our framework is built on fairness and transparency, with regular reviews to reflect growth and performance.

• Benefits: Share options, Royal London pension, and sick pay.

• Flexibility: Hybrid/flexible working arrangements depending on role.

• Culture: A deep-tech rocketship backed by leading investors. We’re building breakthrough technology with real commercial impact. Pace is high. Standards are higher.

Zero Point Motion is determined to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are committed to providing a work environment where there’s a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, and everyone is treated with respect. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are central to our mission, and we strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds and identities to apply. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us.

Department

Technical

Locations

Bristol

Remote status

Hybrid