Hardware Operations & NPI Specialist

• Project Goal: Own the end-to-end execution of turning our R&D electrical and mechanical schematics into functional, high-quality physical prototypes.
• Ideal Candidate Profile: A rare cross-breed of a practical Electrical Engineer and an agile Hardware Procurement Lead. You know how to read a Gerber file and debug a circuit, but you also know how to negotiate with PCB houses, manage freight, and handle customs under tight startup deadlines.

Key Deliverables & Responsibilities

• Technical Sourcing & BOM Management: Review our engineering design files (Altium/Eagle and CAD). Clean up and maintain the Bill of Materials (BOM), flag long-lead or end-of-life components, and find cross-references to reduce bottlenecks.
• Vendor Sourcing & Negotiation: Own relationships with PCB assembly (PCBA) houses, CNC shops, and 3D printing vendors. Obtain quotes, negotiate rapid-turn lead times, and optimize prototyping costs.
• Logistics & Order Handling: Track all incoming orders from fabrication to delivery. Navigate global supply chain issues, shipping delays, and custom clearings.
• Quality Control & Assembly: Perform incoming inspection (First Article Inspection) against engineering drawings. Manage the bring-up, mechanical fitting, and basic electronic validation testing of the physical prototype.

Required Skills

• Hardware / EE Background: B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent hands-on experience. Must be able to read complex schematics and debug prototype wiring/PCBA faults.
• Supply Chain Agility: Proven experience handling global contract manufacturers (EMS/turn-key providers), logistics, and component sourcing.
• Startup Speed: Experience working remotely/independently with distributed teams under aggressive, moving deadlines.