Fractional Engineering Leadership for Product Development
Product Development is Complicated.
Building an experienced engineering team doesn't need to be.
Root3 Labs offers Fractional Engineering Leadership to simplify your development process. Seasoned directors and Senior Engineers will join your team part-time to provide strategic guidance, untangle complex technical problems, and mentor your Junior Engineers.
Get the expertise of a Senior Engineering Executive at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. No long-term contracts, or equity dilution. Just experienced guidance when you need it most.
Is Fractional Engineering Leadership Right for Your Team?
You may need strategic engineering support if your team is:
Building Out Your Engineering Force
You need to hire engineers but aren’t clear on which roles to prioritize, how to structure teams, or how to evaluate technical candidates.
Navigating Regulatory Requirements
Your product needs FDA approval, MIL-STD compliance, or other regulated certifications that require experienced engineering leadership.
Managing Complex Multi-Disciplinary Projects
You’re coordinating mechanical, electrical, and software teams who need to align on technical direction and decision-making.
Scaling Beyond Founder-Led Engineering
Your product is gaining traction, but just running the business is starting to overtake the technical work.
Preparing for Funding or Customer Milestones
Investors or customers are asking technical questions that require executive-level engineering credibility to answer.
Fractional Engineering Leadership Packages
Engineering Advisor
Individual Project Support- Technical Support for 1 Jr Staff
- Design Reviews
- Project Management Review
- Weekly Meetings
Director - Level
Department Leadership- Technical Support for 1-5 Staff
- Product & Project Management
- Hiring Guidance & Mentoring
- Plus All Engineering Advisor Perks
CTO - Level
Company-Wide Strategy- Technical Strategy
- Board Presentations
- Annual Planning & Quarterly Review
- Plus Advisor + Director Level Benefits
Flexible Packages for Fast-Moving Growth
All packages are month-to-month with no long-term contracts. Scale up for a critical project phase, and scale down during slower periods. Most clients start with a 3-month engagement to align on goals and processes.
What’s Included in All Packages:
- Unlimited email, phone, and chat support between scheduled meetings
- Strategic planning and technical documentation
- Participation in design reviews and teem meetings
- Access to Root3 Labs’ full engineering team for specialized expertise
How Fractional Engineering Leadership Works
1. Discovery Call (Week 1)
We discuss your current challenges, team structure, and technical goals. You’ll speak with the actual advisor who would work with your team – no sales reps here!
3. Onboarding (Week 2-3)
Your advisor reviews existing documentation, meets your team, and assesses current processes. We identify quick wins and long-term strategic priorities.
2. Scope & Engagement (Week 1-2)
We define success metrics, time commitment, and communication cadence. You’ll receive a clear scope of work outlining deliverable and milestones.
4. Ongoing Partnership (Week 4+)
Regular scheduled sessions (weekly or bi-weekly) plus async support. Monthly progress reviews ensure we’re delivering value and adapting to your evolving needs.
Trusted by Visionary Tech Companies
My group has collaborated with Root3 on two of our projects over the past three months, and their contributions have exceeded our expectations. My group is start-up sized, with limited experience, so we’ve been utilizing Root3’s expertise to guide us through the more complex parts of product development and to fill in the knowledge gaps of my team.
We’ve worked primarily with Chad, Christina, and Conrad on these two projects, and I couldn’t be happier with their efforts and contributions. The three of them are extremely insightful, engaging, and very friendly. Additionally, we never have any lulls in communication. Their team is very responsive and always makes time for us when needed.
We’ve enjoyed working with Root3 so much that we plan to continue consulting them on future projects. I would recommend Root3 to any of my colleagues who might need engineering or design assistance.
Root3 Labs has been a trusted engineering partner for our lab at Johns Hopkins. Their team consistently delivers high-quality work, from precision repairs to advanced circuit characterization.
A special mention goes to Christina Krueger, PE, whose technical acumen and ‘joie de travailler’ elevate every project. Her strength in communication (e.g. clearly documenting scope and progress) makes collaboration effortless.
Highly recommended for any lab or team seeking excellence in device prototyping, repair and characterization.
Engineering Leadership Credentials
Our engineering experts bring decades of experience from regulated industries:
- ITAR Registration
- DFARS 252.204-7021, NIST 800-171 v2, CMMC Level 2 Certified
- Maryland Professional Engineering Firm
Did you know? The State of Maryland (and most other US States) have required anyone providing engineering consulting services to be a licensed Professional Engineer and the company to be a registered Professional Engineering Firm?
What is a Professional Engineer, and what do the acronyms behind our names mean?
Why Fractional Engineering Leadership?
How is this different from hiring a full-time engineering executive?
Cost-effective and flexible. A full-time VP of Engineering or CTO costs $200K – $400K annually plus equity and benefits. Our fractional model gives you executive-level expertise at 25-50% of that cost, with the flexibility to scale based on your project needs. No equity dilution. No long-term commitment.
What if we’re not ready for a full-time executive yet?
That’s exactly who this is for. Most hardware startups need strategic engineering guidance before they can justify or afford a full-time C-level hire. We bridge that gap, and many clients transition our fractional engineering advisor into a full-time role once growth supports it.
How do you ensure confidentiality and IP protection?
All advisors sign NDAs before we talk. We’re experienced with ITAR, proprietary technology, and competitive sensitivity. Many of our clients are in stealth mode or working on patent-pending innovations – we structure engagements to protect your IP.
How can you help us prepare for investor meetings or due diligence?
Yes. Our CTO-level advisors regularly participate in investor presentations, answer technical due diligence questions, and help structure your technical roadmap in ways that build investor confidence.
What happens after the initial engagement?
Most clients continue on a month-to-month bases, scaling time commitment up or down based on project phases. There’s no long-term contract, so you can continue with us as long we’re adding value.
Ready to Add Engineering Leadership to Your Team?
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our engineering advisors. We’ll discuss your current challenges, team structure, and technical goals – with no obligation to continue.
During the call, you’ll:
- Speak directly with a Sr Engineering Advisor
- Get immediate feedback on your technical challenges
- Learn which package best fits your needs
Not ready to schedule? Download our Product Development Guide to pick up some tips on reducing risk and accelerating timelines.
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