Director, Core Manufacturing Technology & Platform

Socket.dev; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 226,000 - 266,000; Full time

Job summary

Oura is seeking a Director of Core Manufacturing Technology to lead a global team across SMT, molding, encapsulation, coatings, and optics. The role drives a shift from project-specific engineering to reusable core modules that scale across all product lines while ensuring world-class yield and reliability.

Based in San Francisco, this hybrid position collaborates with HW Core Technology and Manufacturing leadership to shape roadmaps, protect IP, and execute at scale.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in high-volume Consumer Electronics, Wearables, Medical Devices or Semiconductors, with hands-on molding or SMT yield on the factory floor.
• Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary teams across SMT, molding/encapsulation, coatings, optics, and automation.
• Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Own and define the 3-year Core Technology roadmap for foundational manufacturing processes.
• Standardize core process modules to enable rapid propagation across NPIs and programs.
• Identify, develop, and protect proprietary manufacturing methods for competitive advantage.
• Lead molding, encapsulation, water-tightness, and optics excellence for biosignal sensing.
• Drive ultra-miniaturized SMT strategies, component size roadmaps and underfill/overcoating solutions.
• Set equipment and tooling strategy, and manage key vendor relationships with CM partners.
• Deploy Core Tech experts into programs to support EVT/DVT/PVT phases.
• Ensure CM site readiness and scalable high-volume capability with required yield.
• Maintain visibility of current activities, risks, and wins across Manufacturing leadership.
• Be the technical anchor in portfolio discussions and influence investment in new capabilities.

Skills

Leadership breadth

Cross-functional teams

Strategic thinking

Global collaboration

Vendor relations

Problem solving

Communication

Standardization

Education

Master’s or PhD in Materials Science/Mechanical/Chemical Eng

Job description

Oura is seeking a Director of Core Manufacturing Technology to lead a global team across SMT, molding, encapsulation, coatings, and optics. The role drives a shift from project-specific engineering to reusable core modules that scale across all product lines while ensuring world-class yield and reliability.

Based in San Francisco, this hybrid position collaborates with HW Core Technology and Manufacturing leadership to shape roadmaps, protect IP, and execute at scale.