Head of Hardware Partnerships

About the role

Modular is building a next-generation AI infrastructure platform that unifies fragmented application frameworks and hardware backends into a single programmable system – enabling true compute portability and performance differentiation across the AI stack. We are hiring a Hardware Partnerships BD Lead to define and scale Modular’s hardware ecosystem strategy.

Responsibilities

• Drive and manage relationships with major hardware vendors, working alongside Modular’s technical and product leadership.
• Cultivate early-stage relationships well ahead of formal engineering engagements, identifying long-term strategic alignment and ecosystem opportunities.
• Develop scalable partnership models that align incentives between Modular and hardware partners.
• Support partnership economics, including business modeling, negotiation support, and commercial structure development.
• Help define and execute Modular’s “open hardware” ecosystem strategy in conjunction with the continued maturation of MAX and Mojo.
• Design frameworks that allow hardware companies to innovate freely on top of MAX and Mojo while ensuring Modular retains platform control and economic participation.
• Drive alignment across engineering, legal, product, and business leaders – ensuring continuity and alignment across all stakeholder groups.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, product strategy, or a related function within the hardware, semiconductor, or AI infrastructure ecosystem.
• Experience working at a large hardware company (e.g., semiconductor, accelerator, or systems vendor) at a moderately senior level, with a strong understanding of internal stakeholder dynamics and incentive structures.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in ambiguous, fast-moving startup environments.
• Strong technical literacy in AI infrastructure (e.g., GPUs, TPUs, compilers, ML systems) sufficient to engage credibly with engineering leaders.
• Experience structuring and supporting complex commercial agreements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in executive-level and cross-functional settings.
• Ability to operate as a senior individual contributor (IC) while collaborating closely with founders and executive leadership.

Qualifications

• Prior experience building or participating in industry consortia, open ecosystems, or platform governance structures.
• Existing network within hardware startups or major accelerator vendors.
• Exposure to open-source platform strategy (e.g., PyTorch-style ecosystem growth).
• Familiarity with AI compilers, runtime systems, or performance-sensitive ML workloads.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and partnership management.
• Business development and commercial negotiation skills.
• Technical acumen in AI infrastructure and hardware.
• Collaborative and cross-functional leadership.

Benefits

• World-class benefits including premier insurance plans, up to 5% 401k matching, flexible paid time off, and more.
• Competitive compensation package including stock options.
• Team building events and travel opportunities.

Pay

The estimated base salary range for this role to be performed in the US, regardless of the state, is $270,000.00 - $375,000.00 USD. The salary for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of permissible, non-discriminatory job-related factors, which include but are not limited to education, training, work experience, business needs, or market demands. This range may be modified in the future. The total compensation for a candidate will also include annual target bonus, equity, and benefits, with equity making up a significant portion of your total compensation.

Schedule

Working at Modular will enable you to grow quickly as you work alongside incredibly motivated and talented people who have high standards, possess a growth mindset, and a purpose to truly change the world. The estimated base salary range for this role to be performed in the US, regardless of the state, is $270,000.00 - $375,000.00 USD. The salary for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of permissible, non-discriminatory job-related factors, which include but are not limited to education, training, work experience, business needs, or market demands. This range may be modified in the future. The total compensation for a candidate will also include annual target bonus, equity, and benefits, with equity making up a significant portion of your total compensation.

Location

Candidates based in the United States are welcome to apply. You can work in our office in Los Altos, CA or remotely from home. Onboarding for new hires is conducted in-person in our Los Altos, CA office.

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