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. This role sits at the intersection of business development, strategy, and technical coordination. You will work directly with Modular’s founders and technical leadership to cultivate deep relationships with leading hardware vendors (GPUs, TPUs, ASICs, emerging accelerators), shape long-term partnership economics, and help architect an open hardware ecosystem around MAX and Mojo.
This is not a traditional BD role focused purely on closing transactions. It is a strategic, operational, and relationship-intensive role designed to ensure Modular becomes the programmable software layer for next-generation AI hardware. 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.

What you will do:

• Drive and manage relationships with major hardware vendors (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Qualcomm, Google, AWS, and emerging accelerator startups), 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.
• Contribute to planning and executing major ecosystem launches aligned with industry and company events (e.g., ModCon).
• Drive alignment across engineering, legal, product, and business leaders –  ensuring continuity and alignment across all stakeholder groups.

What you bring to the table:

 

•  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.

 

Helpful, but not required:

• 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

 

What Modular brings to the table:

• Amazing Team. We are a progressive and agile team with some of the industry’s best engineering and product leaders.
• World-class Benefits. In order to attract the best, we need to offer the best. Premier insurance plans, up to 5% 401k matching, flexible paid time off, and more are available to you! Please note that specific benefit packages may vary based on your location.
• Competitive Compensation. We offer very strong compensation packages, including stock options. We want people to be focused on their best work and believe in tailoring compensation plans to meet the needs of our workforce. 
• Team Building Events. We organize regular team onsites and local meetups in Los Altos, CA as well as different cities. Traveling 2-4 times a year is expected for all roles. 

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.For candidates who fall outside of the listed requirements, we nevertheless encourage you to apply as we may have openings that are lower/higher level than the ones advertised.