Director of Hardware Engineering

at  Yoto

We’re looking for an experienced and highly technical leader to scale our HW engineering team.
Location: UK - hybrid (based in our London Euston office) or remote (1-2x a month in the office), we’re also open to exceptional remote candidates based in US or EU

• Leadership:
• Develop and communicate the HW engineering vision and strategy
• Scale, structure, lead and mentor a team of HW engineers
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the hardware team.
• Implement and refine engineering processes and best practices to optimise efficiency and productivity.
• Technical Expertise:
• Provide technical guidance and support to the hardware team.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in hardware technology and integrate relevant innovations into product development.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex hardware design and production issues.
• Product Development:
• Oversee all hardware products development projects from design to end of life
• Lead the design and development of cutting-edge technology applicable for Yoto products
• Oversee the creation of detailed hardware specifications, prototypes, and testing plans.
• Ensure that all hardware products meet industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Identify potential risks and challenges in hardware development projects and develop mitigation strategies to address technical, schedule, and budget risks
• Product Quality:
• Develop and implement rigorous quality assurance processes for hardware design, testing, and validation to ensure that all Yoto hardware products meet the highest standards of durability, performance, and safety
• Collaborate with Customer Happiness, Quality, SW Engineering and Data teams and manufacturing and oversee the continuous improvement of products already in the market, identifying areas for enhancement to extend product lifespan and ensure long-term customer satisfaction.
• Ensure robust product lifecycle management practices to maintain the relevance and functionality of existing products through SW optimization, HW revisions and repair programs
• Establish safety protocols and compliance with global safety standards, ensuring that all hardware products are thoroughly tested and certified
• Budget and Resource Management:
• Develop and manage the hardware department budget.
• Optimise resource allocation to maximise efficiency and output.
• Identify and procure necessary tools, equipment, and technologies.
• Stakeholder Communication:
• Act as the primary point of contact for all hardware-related inquiries and issues.
• Provide key inputs for the product roadmap and align with the New Product Development and Procurement Directors
• Prepare and present reports on hardware development progress and performance to senior management.
• Collaborate with external partners to ensure successful product delivery.
• IP Protection
• Identify and protect innovative hardware solutions through the development of intellectual property (IP) strategies, including the filing of patents to safeguard Yoto’s technological advancements
• Work with cross-functional teams to embed IP considerations early in the product development cycle, ensuring that all new designs, features, and technologies are thoroughly reviewed for patentability.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of relevant industry patents and trends to guide strategic decision-makin