Director of Hardware Operations

Craig Ganssle Last updated 

Location: Dawsonville, GA (100% Onsite)

Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)


Role Overview

Farmwave is seeking a dynamic, hands-on Director of Hardware Operations to take full ownership of our hardware, shop, and field deployment footprint. Working directly alongside the CEO, you will initially design, build, and master our operational policies, shop setup, inventory controls, assembly pipelines, and field deployment protocols.


As the hardware side of the business scales, your role will evolve from initial ground-level execution to leadership, oversight, and team building—training assemblers, field technicians, and support staff to execute the processes you established.


Key Responsibilities

Operational Strategy & Shop Governance

  • End-to-End Hardware Ownership: Serve as the primary leader and authority for all physical hardware products, shop facilities, and hardware deployment workflows.
  • Shop & Facility Management: Oversee daily operations for the Dawsonville HQ shop floor, ensuring high standards for organization, tool management, cleanliness, supplies, and facility security.
  • Vendor & Supply Chain Management: Build, manage, and optimize relationships with hardware suppliers, component vendors, and logistics partners to ensure quality and component availability.

Inventory & Manufacturing Systems

  • Inventory Control: Partner with the CEO to evaluate, select, and implement a new inventory management system. Master its functionality, train staff, and maintain long-term oversight.
  • Assembly Pipeline: Establish a standardized process for Farmwave precision harvest vision systems—covering parts picking, hardware assembly, device configuration, packaging, and shipping.
  • Quality & Shipping Oversight: Direct assembly personnel and manage shipping/receiving operations (coordinating operational execution alongside Finance/Admin).

Field Deployment & Customer Support

  • Field Installation Mastery: Develop and document standardized procedures for field deployments on combine harvesters. Conduct initial hands-on field deployments (including occasional domestic and international travel) to master and refine the installation process.
  • Hardware Support Systems: Design and implement hardware technical support protocols to assist customers remotely and onsite globally.
  • Team Scaling & Training: Train, mentor, and build out teams of internal assemblers, remote field technicians, and support specialists—gradually delegating day-to-day execution while maintaining direct operational oversight.

Key Qualifications & Experience

  • Experience: 5+ years in hardware operations, shop management, manufacturing, or technical field engineering leadership (experience in AgTech, heavy equipment, automotive, or robotics is a strong plus).
  • Hands-on Skill Set: Demonstrated skill in assembling electronics/hardware components, managing tools, establishing shop workflows, and troubleshooting hardware issues in real-world environments.
  • System Implementation: Proven track record of setting up inventory management (ERP/WMS) and operational workflows from scratch.
  • Leadership & Training: Experience managing technicians or assemblers, with a passion for teaching, documenting processes, and scaling teams.
  • Travel Flexibility: Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed for initial field deployments, customer support, and field testing during harvest seasons.
  • Physical Requirement: Ability to work onsite daily in Dawsonville, GA, move around the shop floor, lift hardware components, and perform installations on machinery.

Compensation & Salary Range

For an onsite leadership role in Dawsonville, GA (Greater Atlanta area) combining hands-on technical execution, system creation, vendor management, and team leadership in an AgTech startup context:

  • Salary: $115,000 – $145,000 per year, scalable based on direct experience with machinery, shop management, and technical depth commensurate with experience. (Note: Our cash compensation is designed to be highly competitive as we do not currently offer employer-sponsored health insurance or retirement plans).
  • Time Off: Flexible/Open PTO policy.
  • Equity / Options: Negotiable. Early-stage equity options aligned with taking complete ownership of the hardware business unit.
  • Performance Bonus: 10% - 15% tied to successful implementation of key milestones (inventory rollout, assembly efficiency, team expansion), and overall company success.