Director of Hardware Operations

We are seeking a passionate Director of Hardware Operations to lead our critical transition from beta hardware testing through first external deployments & production ramps. In this role, you will oversee the end-to-end operations of producing and deploying our revolutionary Vega™ machines while building and leading high-performing teams across supply chain, manufacturing, and engineering operations. Your work will be crucial in scaling our technology from proof-of-concept to international deployment, directly supporting our goal to reduce global carbon emissions by 1% through revolutionizing clothes manufacturing.

About unspun

unspun's mission is to reduce global carbon emissions by 1% by revolutionizing the way we make clothes. We envision a world where every garment is made on-demand, eliminating overproduction and reconnecting people with the clothing they wear.

We've recently secured $32M in Series B funding and are transitioning from our proof-of-concept microfactory to international deployments of our groundbreaking Vega™ technology - a 3D weaving system that transforms yarn directly into garments.

About You

You are an experienced hardware operations leader with a proven track record of scaling hardware production and managing complex supply chains. You thrive in fast-paced environments where you can balance strategic planning with hands-on execution (read: if you’re not willing to get your hands dirty, this probably isn’t the role for you). Your leadership style emphasizes building and developing high-performing teams while fostering cross-functional collaboration. You’ve already played a major role in a deployment of early stage hardware, and are ready (and excited!) for the opportunity to build and lead an engineering operations team from square one.

What You'll Do

As our Director of Hardware Operations, your core responsibility will be leading the production and deployment of our first hundred Vega™ machines. You will work across multiple teams to realize the successful transition from R&D to scaled production. Your key responsibilities include:

• Building and leading teams across supply chain, manufacturing, HQ engineering operations, and overseas deployment
• Developing and implementing operational strategies for both in-house assembly and external contract manufacturer support
• Collaborating with the engineering team to integrate continuous improvement initiatives into manufacturing processes and necessary design freezes
• Coordinating with the product development team to balance machine utilization between product sampling and engineering testing needs
• Working with the Deployment Lead to strategize and execute the first Vega™ machine deployments in the field
• Establishing systems and processes for rapid customer engineering feedback implementation

Ideal Qualities

• 10+ years of experience in engineering operations, including technical individual contributor work plus department leadership
• Proven track record of leading manufacturing operations in a first deployment of industrial-scale hardware
• Background in physically large mechanical hardware systems (industrials, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, etc)
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing engineering operations teams
• Strong background in operational excellence and continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience managing complex supply chains and contract manufacturer relationships

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with sustainable manufacturing practices
• Experience with international operations and deployment

Bonus Points

• Previous Individual Contributor experience building hardware from prototype through mass-production
• Experience with sustainable manufacturing practices
• International work experience, particularly in Europe or Asia

Benefits

The salary range for this role is $186,000 - $204,000 USD annually, plus equity benchmarked at 75th percentile for companies of our size & valuation in the Bay Area.

Benefits include

• self-regulated vacation policy
• comprehensive (gold & platinum) health/dental/vision insurance
• company sponsored 401k
• monthly gym membership or relevant online education grant of up to $150/month
• pre-tax commuter benefits
• incentive stock options

Our Philosophy

We won’t roll our eyes if your socks don’t match. We get it. But then, if you spend those extra few minutes in the morning matching your socks and shirt, we get that too. Our workspaces are sometimes spotless and sometimes chaotic, and we celebrate messy exploration. We work through complex problems but generate simple and elegant solutions. We strive to look at things differently, and never do anything solely because “that’s the way it’s always been done.”

We’re a team of designers and engineers, industry-veterans and serial entrepreneurs, artists and developers. We’re aspiring chess masters and climbers, bakers and photographers. Originally spun out of Stanford and the University of Colorado, we now call the SF Bay Area home, with strong ties to Hong Kong. We are looking for teammates who share our desire to work on ambitious problems and leave the world better than we found it.

unspun is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to being a diverse team that reflects a broad range of background, thought, and experience. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, status as an individual with a disability, status as protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristics. Women, minorities, and people from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.