Hardware Engineer, Distributed Water Infrastructure Stealth Co

Distributed Water Infrastructure Stealth Co

Location: NYC

About Montauk Capital

Montauk Capital is an investment management platform that spans venture investing and venture studio efforts. We build and invest in the ‘Electron Economy,’ the massive shift toward software-enabled industrial and energy systems. This generational transition is reshaping how we power intelligence, move people and goods, and build resilient industries. From AI, data centers and Web3 to industrial robotics and re-shoring supply chains, the future of growth is built on electrification and the intelligent use of energy.

About Distributed Water Infrastructure Stealth Co

We are pioneering a new approach to delivering clean, affordable drinking water through distributed, intelligent water-generation and distribution systems. Leveraging AI and edge computing, the platform continuously optimizes performance, efficiency, and reliability at the local level while enabling scalable deployment across diverse environments. We have established partnerships, have begun fundraising, and are preparing to move from prototype to pilot and scale deployments across event driven and permanent installations.

Role Summary:

We’re seeking a Founding Hardware Engineer to define and execute Aquanode’s technology strategy across hardware and firmware. This is a founding engineer role for a builder who thrives at the intersection of hard tech and productization, and most importantly, is committed to building a generational company in the climate resilience space.

You will architect and scale the hardware and coordinate closely with the control systems and connected-device platform, turning prototypes into reliable, field-ready kiosks that operate as a coordinated network across sites, to yield a scalable, reliable water network. You’ll define the platform boundaries—what’s in hardware, firmware, cloud, and at the edge—so the system scales efficiently. You’ll partner with existing vendors and will drive the vision for future build outs that let the company ship faster as deployments multiply across sites.

Role Responsibilities:

• Own end-to-end architecture for the hardware and associated IoT systems

• Support the build of a modular platform to support multi-site, multi-region deployments, spares strategy, and versioning, as well as bringing down costs over time to ensure scalable unit economics

• Work with hardware manufacturers, manage relationships with connectivity providers, cloud platforms, OEM components, and field service partners.

• Lead technical diligence, articulate scale-up plans, and report on milestones, risks, and mitigations.

What We’re Looking For

• Deep hardware engineering expertise

• IoT / Network experience: creating a connected network from a series of machines is a plus.

• Energy systems knowledge: understanding methods for making energy systems viable at scale.

• Software/Hardware Delivery: Proven experience shipping IoT + hardware platforms at scale (water/energy/industrial preferred).

• Hands-on Architect: Comfortable designing systems and shipping code/firmware in early stages.

• Security-First, Safety-First: Track record implementing secure architectures across device, network, and cloud; rigorous testing and monitoring.

• Startup DNA: Operates in ambiguity, balances speed with rigor, and loves building zero to one

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge and expertise in the water or distributed energy infrastructure space

• An instinct for how to develop durable products/systems in extreme environments

• Track record in early-stage or founding technical roles scaling from prototype to multi-site deployments.

Why Join Us

Become a founding technical leader shaping the future of affordable, reliable water access, with meaningful ownership and long-term upside. You’ll collaborate with top-tier climate investors and partners to build not just a product, but a scalable infrastructure platform with global impact.

Salary & Benefits
This role offers a competitive base salary, equity participation, federal and banking holidays plus additional time off, and a full range of health benefits.

Aquanode is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.