Hardware Director

Lead the hardware function and drive performance
- Lead the Hardware department across delivery, product quality, program margin, and client satisfaction.
- Define the team's operating rhythm, priorities, KPIs, and ways of working, creating visibility for Leadership across active programs.
- Plan team capacity and future hiring needs so the department can support new programs while maintaining delivery quality.
- Lead, coach, and develop the Project and Product Manager and the Project Operations Manager, keeping hardware strategy, manufacturing, and program execution aligned.
- Build strong vendor and manufacturing partnerships
- Lead commercial negotiations with contract manufacturers, component suppliers, and tooling partners, including pricing, MOQs, payment terms, tooling ownership, and quality agreements.
- Identify and qualify new OEM/ODM partners as the hardware pipeline grows, while maintaining reliable backup options for critical suppliers.
- Oversee vendor performance and step into escalations or disputes when needed, while Project Operations manages day-to-day supplier, factory, and logistics coordination.
- Partner with commercial leadership on contracts and SOWs for hardware programs, including warranty, liability, and supply commitments.
- Lead our China team and manufacturing operations
- Directly lead our China-based engineering, firmware, R&D, and production team, setting priorities, creating accountability, and developing the team's capabilities.
- Oversee the full path from prototype to mass production, including DFM reviews, EVT/DVT/PVT gates, certifications, and production ramp.
- Manage supply chain forecasting, inventory planning, and component lifecycle risks, including EOL planning.
- Travel to factories and strategic partners when needed to support production readiness, audits, problem-solving, and relationship building.
- Support growth and shape new hardware opportunities
- Partner with the Growth team to evaluate new hardware opportunities, including technical feasibility, cost, timelines, manufacturing complexity, and delivery risk.
- Help shape realistic scopes and solutions before commitments are made to clients.
- Represent SweatWorks Hardware in senior client conversations, building trust, explaining technical trade-offs clearly, and setting realistic expectations from the start.

Location: Remote - GMT-09:00 to GMT-01:00

Skills required for this job:

• Business negotiation
• Contract manufacturing
• Design for manufacturing (DFM)
• Hardware developer
• Hardware management
• Leadership
• Lifecycle management
• Manufacturing operations
• ODM management
• Supply chain management
• Supply planning
• Vendor management