Foundation Industries Verified
Construction Materials, Manufacturing
Head of Software
Belmont, CAOnsiteFull TimeManager / Head$150,000–$175,000 /yrPosted 1 month agoHidden Gem · YC Startup
Required skills
- software-defined factory
- backend ERP/MES-like workflow engines
- data models
- integrations
- roadmap
- architecture
- engineering standards
- AI strategy
- production systems
- setting a high bar
Nice to have
- ERP
- MES
- manufacturing software
- workflow systems
- applied AI
Role summary
Foundation Industries seeks a Head of Software to lead the technical direction and execution of their software-defined factory platform. This role involves setting the roadmap, architecture, and engineering standards, leading and growing the software team, and developing practical AI applications. The focus is on deep backend ERP/MES-like workflow engines, data models, and integrations. The ideal candidate has experience leading software teams, strong backend architecture judgment, and a track record of hiring and developing engineers. Experience in ERP, MES, manufacturing software, workflow systems, or applied AI is preferred.
**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
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
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