Director of Hardware Product Development

Role Overview

• Own hardware product development end-to-end, leading programs from concept through EVT, DVT, PVT, and mass production while maintaining the timeline, decision-making, and quality bar at each stage
• Act as the product owner for hardware development, translating company priorities and product requirements into clear direction for factory partners and external engineering firms
• Partner cross-functionally with internal and external partners across operations, firmware and software development, and industrial design to define product requirements, resolve tradeoffs, and ensure hardware decisions support the full product experience
• Lead a rigorous development process that includes design reviews, FMEA, and strong DfX discipline across cost, manufacturability, reliability, supply chain, and quality
• Co-own factory and supplier relationships in Asia in partnership with Director of Operations, building strong operating rhythms with current partners, holding them accountable to Sans standards, and helping identify new partners as the product line expands
• Oversee prototyping, testing, validation, and issue resolution to ensure products meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements before launch
• Own hardware compliance and certification across FCC, CE, UL, and UK PSTI requirements, and work with outside partners to ensure products are properly tested and documented
• Serve as the senior point person for hardware-related field issues, helping diagnose root causes, prioritize fixes, and drive corrective action with partners when problems arise after launch
• Contribute to product strategy and roadmap decisions by bringing a practical view on technical feasibility, cost, development complexity, and launch timing
• Drive clarity across active programs so leadership has a clear view of status, risks, tradeoffs, and critical path
• This is a senior individual contributor role that will own Sans' hardware product development function, with the goal of building and leading our Hardware Product team as we grow

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Product Design Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
• 8+ years of experience developing consumer hardware products, including taking multiple products from concept through production with outsourced design, development, and manufacturing partners
• 3+ years in a role with clear ownership over hardware programs, product decisions, or cross-functional execution
• Strong technical foundation in hardware development, including enough fluency in circuit design, PCB architecture, embedded systems, and hardware debugging to make good decisions and challenge partners when needed
• Experience with connected devices, wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the hardware-software interface required for IoT products
• Deep familiarity with phase-gate hardware product development and a strong sense for where programs usually slip, break, or create downstream problems
• Experience managing ODM, OEM, and supplier relationships in Asia, with the judgment and persistence required to maintain quality through external partners
• Experience with overseas manufacturers
• Working knowledge of consumer hardware compliance requirements, including FCC, CE, and UL. Experience with UK or EU compliance frameworks is a plus
• Willingness to travel regularly to Asia 2-4 times per year to work closely with manufacturing and development partners

Tech Stack

• IoT

Benefits

• Base salary $160,000-$180,000 based on experience, plus bonus and equity
• Option for fully paid medical, dental, and vision
• Opportunity to contribute to 401k
• Unlimited PTO plus 11+ paid holidays
• Free Sans products
• LA-based hybrid team (3 days/week), office in Culver City