Operation Engineering Manager

You will lead the transition of Products from development through to high-volume production. You will combine expertise in NPI management and production engineering, ensuring that advanced IoT technologies and connectivity devices are efficiently manufactured, scaled, and delivered to market.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the NPI lifecycle from early-stage product design through prototype, pilot production, and scaling to high-volume manufacturing.
• Work closely with R&D, firmware, hardware, and software engineering teams to ensure products are designed for manufacturability, installability, serviceability and optimized for cost and scalability.
• Provide input to the design teams on product architecture, ensuring that IoT products are manufacturable, robust, and reliable at scale.
• Identify potential risks in production during the prototype phase and mitigate them before moving to full-scale production.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks in the NPI process, such as design, connectivity, supply chain, or regulatory challenges specific to the products.
• Manage the products and document configuration control.
• Lead root-cause analysis and resolution of any issues related to hardware (e.g., sensors, microcontrollers), software (e.g., firmware), or connectivity (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5G) during NPI.
• Lead the development and optimization of manufacturing processes for IoT products, focusing on assembly, testing, and integration of hardware and software components.
• Oversee the development, selection, and optimization of manufacturing equipment and tooling required for the device assembly and testing.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration:

• Lead & Mentor the Engineering Team:
  • Lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers, providing mentorship and professional development while promoting a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure that the team has the tools, training, and resources needed to efficiently support the NPI process and production ramp-up, and feedback from the field.
• Collaboration with R&D, Product, SCM, Deployment and Support teams
  • Collaborate closely with R&D and product design teams to ensure that product designs are optimized for manufacturability and easy integration of IoT technologies.
  • Provide real-time feedback during the design process to identify and resolve potential manufacturing issues early on.
  • Work with suppliers of components (e.g., sensors, microcontrollers, communication modules) to ensure that materials and components meet specifications and are delivered on time.
  • Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, negotiating for quality, cost, and timely delivery of components.

Quality Control & Continuous Improvement:

• Process Quality & Compliance:
  • Work closely with the quality assurance (QA) team to ensure that all devices meet required quality standards and regulatory certifications (e.g., FCC, CE, RoHS, ISO).
  • Implement rigorous testing protocols to verify the functionality and reliability of IoT hardware (e.g., sensor accuracy, connectivity) and software (e.g., firmware updates, security).
• Data-Driven Continuous Improvement:
  • Use data analytics to monitor key production metrics (e.g., defect rates, yield, cycle times) and field metrics and identify areas for process improvement.
  • Implement continuous improvement methodologies to drive operational efficiencies and improve product yield.
• Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Action:
  • Lead root-cause investigations for any quality issues in production and in the field, including issues related to mechanical I/F’s, connectivity, sensors, firmware, or hardware integration.
  • Develop and implement corrective actions to improve both the process and product quality.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. A Master's degree or MBA is a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in NPI and engineering management roles, ideally in IoT, electronics, or connected device design and manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with IoT product design, assembly, and testing, including hardware (e.g., sensors, microcontrollers), connectivity (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), and software (e.g., firmware, cloud integration).
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams in the transition from prototype to mass production of IoT devices.
• Strong understanding of IoT hardware and software integration, including sensors, wireless communication, and embedded systems.
• Proficiency with PLM software (Agile preferred), and ERP systems.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse teams.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, particularly with IoT-specific challenges (e.g., connectivity issues, component integration).
• Attention to detail with a focus on high-quality standards and process efficiency.

Other Skills:

• Familiarity with IoT device certification requirements and regulatory compliance (e.g., FCC, CE, RoHS).
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment, and adapt to evolving technologies and market needs.

Perks

• Stock options
• Paid parental leave
• Flex PTO
• Hybrid 4-day work week, every other week