Lead the multidisciplinary engineering behind Particula's next generation of connected products, from first prototype through mass production.
Particula is pioneering Physical-AI for play, learning and growth, creating connected experiences that bring together physical play and smart technology. All of our products are first of their kind, with unique and creative tech solutions to make them feasible, manufacturable, reliable and affordable.
We've grown from one flagship product into four product lines, GoCube, GoChess, GoDice and GoBalance, and we're continuing to expand into new products and categories, including licensed products with global franchises like Harry Potter.
Our products combine mechanical and electronic design, microcontrollers, robotics, plastic injection molding, wireless technologies, firmware, signal processing, power management, sensors and more.
We're looking for a super VP R&D to help us build what comes next, improve our existing products, lead a multidisciplinary team, and bring products to life through mass production with our manufacturing partners in China.
This role is centered on electronics and hardware: system architecture, schematics, PCB design and layout, hardware-firmware integration, sensors, wireless and power. You'll also need strong mechanical understanding to make good system-level decisions and work effectively with our mechanical team.
This is not only an oversight role. You'll be close to the work, reviewing schematics and layouts yourself, prototyping, debugging on the bench and running tests, whether directly or alongside the team and external specialists.
We're looking for a maker at heart: someone deeply curious about how things work, who loves experimenting, building and solving technical problems. Maybe you build things for fun, spend time in maker communities, or mentor FIRST Robotics Competition or FIRST LEGO League teams. You're the kind of person who sees an ambitious idea and immediately starts thinking about how to make it possible.
The Role
New Products
We have ambitious ideas for new products. The VP R&D figures out how to make them real.
You'll research what's possible, evaluate different technologies and approaches, determine feasibility, define the system architecture, and lead the multidisciplinary engineering required to turn an idea into a product that works and can be manufactured at scale.
Existing Products
We've developed four product lines and delivered one million units that continue to be manufactured and sold worldwide. You'll support and improve these products, solve technical issues raised by customers, design new variations, and work with our operations team and manufacturing partners on ongoing improvements.
What You Will Do
- Take new product ideas from early concept through technical feasibility, system architecture, prototyping, testing and mass production.
- Research and evaluate technologies, build rapid prototypes and determine the best technical approach for new products.
- Define technical specifications and key parameters, including cost, risk, feasibility and engineering tradeoffs.
- Lead development across electronics, firmware, mechanical systems, sensors, wireless/connectivity, algorithms and control systems.
- Identify technical challenges early and make the engineering tradeoffs required to meet product, cost, quality, reliability and manufacturability requirements.
- Lead internal engineers and external specialists, engineering studios and development partners.
- Work closely with Product, Industrial Design and Software to bring the complete product together.
- Lead the transition from design through mass production, including design for manufacturing and assembly, tooling, sourcing, quality assurance and test automation, regulatory testing and certification, production readiness, and engineering support during production with our manufacturing partners in China.
- Build the R&D team and capabilities Particula needs as we grow.
Who You Are
- 10+ years of R&D/engineering experience developing complex physical products.
- Deep expertise in electronics and hardware, including system architecture, schematics, PCB design and layout, hardware-firmware integration, sensors, wireless/connectivity and power, with strong mechanical and systems-level understanding.
- Hands-on technical ability and willingness to personally dig into problems, prototype, test and debug when needed.
- Experience taking physical products end-to-end, from early concept and feasibility through engineering, prototyping, design for manufacturing and mass production.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary R&D or engineering teams, as well as external specialists and development partners.
- Experience working directly with overseas manufacturing partners on design for manufacturing, tooling, sourcing and mass production. Experience working with factories in China is a strong advantage.
- A background in robotics, consumer electronics, connected devices, defense technology, or an engineering studio that develops products end-to-end. Experience developing mass-market consumer products is a strong advantage.
Please add and upload a cover letter with your CV letting us know why you are interested in this role, why you are interested in working at Particula, and why you believe you are a strong fit. Please also describe some examples of products you have developed and your role in building them.