Electronics & Computer Hardware Manufacturing
Executive coaching for CTOs, engineering leaders and founders who build physical products: electronics, robotics and computer hardware.
Executive Coaching
Coaching for engineering leaders in electronics and hardware
Hardware companies are usually run by engineers. That is a strength until the job shifts from designing the product to leading the people, suppliers and customers around it. I coach CTOs, VPs of Engineering, engineering managers and founders through that shift.
What hardware leaders bring to coaching
- Long, unforgiving cycles. A missed spec or a late part costs months, not a sprint. You have to make calls on incomplete data and keep the team aligned while the schedule moves.
- Many disciplines, one product. Electrical, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing and quality teams see the same problem differently. Most of the friction in hardware teams is about communication, not engineering.
- Prototype to production. The habits that got the prototype working, like heroics and the founder doing everything, break at pilot runs and contract manufacturing. Hiring, delegating and building process become the job.
My background
I started as an engineer, writing software for robotics, aerospace and satellite systems. I later co-founded AdvisorEngine as CTO and served as COO of a spacetech company. I mentored hardware founders at the Rev Hardware Manufacturing Accelerator, and I mentor Techstars and YC founders and science teams through NSF I-Corps and Cornell eLab.
“He helps boil down nuanced culture and leadership principles from the ‘fluffy’, ethereal stuff to structured, defined systems and principles. For systems thinkers and leaders in technical fields, this approach is an especially valuable method.”
Collin, Founder & CEO, Robotics
“Vladimir was my mentor at the Rev Hardware Manufacturing Accelerator. His support has been instrumental in the milestones we’ve achieved with my startup.”
Aleksandr, CEO and Founder, HealthTech
Leading a hardware team or company? See executive coaching for tech leaders and coaching for founders, or book a free 30-minute call.
Frequently asked questions
What is executive coaching for hardware engineering leaders?
One-to-one coaching for CTOs, VPs of Engineering, engineering managers and founders at electronics, robotics and hardware companies. We work on the leadership side of the job: decisions under schedule pressure, aligning engineering, manufacturing and quality teams, communicating with executives and investors, and growing from technical expert to leader.
Do you work with robotics and hardware startups?
Yes. Clients include robotics founders and engineering managers, and I mentored hardware founders at the Rev Hardware Manufacturing Accelerator. Common topics are fundraising, first hires, moving from prototype to production, and the founder’s role as the company grows.
Do I need to be a founder or executive?
No. I also coach engineers stepping into their first management role and engineering managers taking on larger teams. One robotics engineering manager was asked to take on an expanded role after three months of coaching.
How does coaching work?
It starts with a free 30-minute call to see whether we are a fit. Sessions are one-to-one over video, usually every two to three weeks, with practical actions to try between sessions.