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

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

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

hardware product developmentcircuit designPCB architectureembedded systemshardware debuggingphase-gate developmentconsumer hardware complianceFMEADfXIoT products

Soft Skills

leadershipcross-functional collaborationdecision-makingproblem-solvingcommunicationproject managementstrategic thinkingrelationship managementaccountabilityrisk management

Certifications

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical EngineeringBachelor's Degree in Mechanical EngineeringBachelor's Degree in Product Design EngineeringFCC complianceCE complianceUL complianceUK PSTI compliance