About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

About the role

We’re looking for a Hardware Product Manager who thrives at the intersection of technical depth and customer insight. In this role, you’ll act as the connective tissue between our Engineering and Growth organizations—ensuring that what we build is not only groundbreaking, but also deeply aligned with market needs, user behaviors, and business opportunities.

What you'll do

• Plan the future of Hardware Product by developing clear roadmaps, aligning efforts across Hardware R&D, Hardware Product Development, and Embedded Systems and Software to ensure capabilities are delivered on time and with high impact.
• Translate market signals into product reality—work closely with Growth, Marketing, and Sales to understand emerging user needs, then turn those into clear and actionable hardware product requirements.
• Bridge the gap between engineering complexity and customer value—partner with technical teams to evaluate feasibility, manage tradeoffs, and deliver features that resonate with real users.
• Prototype and iterate quickly—drive early hardware prototyping efforts that de-risk assumptions and accelerate validation with users and commercial partners.
• Align product development with business goals—collaborate with GTM teams on pricing, BoM optimization, and feature prioritization to ensure our vehicle platforms scale profitably.
• Champion user-focused hardware design—collaborate with design, UX research, and autonomy teams to ensure every physical interaction (from controls to safety systems) supports a seamless, trustworthy AV experience.
• Be a strategic communicator—synthesize technical and customer insights for cross-functional stakeholders, executive reviews, and external partners.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years in product management or adjacent roles, with a strong background in hardware product development (automotive, robotics, smart devices, or similar industries).
• Proven ability to collaborate across GTM and technical teams—you speak both “Growth” and “Engineering” fluently.
• Strong instincts around tradeoffs—you can balance performance, cost, risk, and time-to-market with clarity and conviction.
• Experience working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments where experimentation and iteration are the norm.
• Strong communication skills with an ability to context-switch between highly technical discussions and strategic business planning.
• Passion for building human-centered products that solve real-world problems.

Nice to Haves

• Experience in autonomous vehicles, robotics, or mobility.
• Exposure to BoM management, supplier engagement, or hardware scaling strategies.
• Previous work in a startup or 0-to-1 hardware environment.

The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.  
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption. 
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires. 
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.  

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain. All qualified applications will receive equal consideration for employment.