Hardware Lab Manager

United States Digital Space LLC; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC, based in Boston, MA, is hiring a Hardware Lab Manager to own and scale our hardware development lab from prototype to validation. You will lead the lab team and the systems that enable rapid product innovation, partnering with Hardware Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Technical Program Management.

The role requires 7+ years in hardware development or lab ops, strong cross-functional collaboration, and a proactive approach to AI tools in daily tasks.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in hardware development, test, or lab environments including team leadership.
• Experience improving lab operations and enabling fast hardware development across programs.
• Experience managing lab equipment, prototyping tools, metrology equipment, calibration, inventory, and safety programs.
• Hands-on experience supporting hardware prototyping, debugging, and engineering test activities.
• Strong communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Commitment to embracing and leveraging AI tools in day-to-day tasks while maintaining high quality.

Responsibilities

• Own the hardware development labs and ensure high-throughput operation from prototype to validation.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of lab technicians with focus on excellence and continuous improvement.
• Prioritize shared lab resources with Engineering PMs and leaders to reduce bottlenecks.
• Build and improve scalable lab systems for scheduling, intake, inventory, and equipment tracking.
• Manage lifecycle of lab infrastructure, including test equipment and metrology systems.
• Collaborate with Hardware Engineering, Product Integrity, Manufacturing, and external labs for prototypes and testing.
• Establish a safe, organized, compliant lab environment with standardized processes and training.
• Manage lab budget and plan investments in equipment and infrastructure.

Skills

Lab leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Experimentation

AI tools adoption

Tools

Metrology equipment

Calibration tools

Prototyping tools

Job description

At the company, we're on a mission to unlock human performance and healthspan. the company empowers members to perform at a higher level through a deeper understanding of their bodies and daily lives.

the company is hiring a Hardware Lab Manager to own and scale the hardware development lab that enables rapid product innovation from prototype through validation. In this role, you will lead the people, systems, and infrastructure that allow engineering teams to move quickly from build to insight, ensuring the lab operates as a high-throughput platform that accelerates hardware development rather than becoming a bottleneck. You will partner closely with Hardware Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Technical Program Management to prioritize resources, expand capabilities, and build the operational foundation that supports the company's next generation of products.

Responsibilities

• Own the hardware development labs, comprising electrical, mechanical, test and reliability engineering capabilities, ensuring it operates as a high-throughput system that accelerates product development from prototype through validation.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of lab technicians, fostering a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Engineering Program Managers and engineering leaders to prioritize shared lab resources, balancing competing program needs and removing development bottlenecks.
• Build and continuously improve scalable lab systems for scheduling, work intake, inventory, equipment tracking, and resource planning.
• Own the lifecycle of lab infrastructure, including test equipment, mechanical prototyping tools, metrology systems, calibration, maintenance, and long-term capability planning.
• Partner with Hardware Engineering, Product Integrity, Manufacturing, and external labs to support prototype builds, testing, and validation.
• Establish and maintain a safe, organized, and compliant laboratory environment through standardized processes, training, and documentation.
• Manage the lab budget and plan future investments in equipment, tools, and infrastructure to support product development.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in a hardware development, test, or laboratory environment, including experience leading lab operations or technical teams.
• Proven experience improving lab operations and enabling fast-paced hardware development across multiple programs.
• Experience managing lab equipment, prototyping tools, metrology equipment, calibration, inventory, and safety programs.
• Hands‑on experience supporting hardware prototyping, debugging, and engineering test activities.
• Strong communication, organization, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Strong commitment to embracing and leveraging AI tools in day‑to‑day tasks, ensuring AI‑assisted work aligns with the same high‑quality standards as personal contributions.

This role is based in the the company office located in Boston, MA. The successful candidate must be prepared to relocate if necessary to work out of the Boston, MA office.

the company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E‑verify to determine employment eligibilityThe the company compensation philosophy is designed to attract, motivate, and retain exceptional talent by offering competitive base salaries, meaningful equity, and consistent pay practices that reflect our mission and core values.

At the company, we view total compensation as the combination of base salary, equity, and benefits, with equity serving as a key differentiator that aligns our employees with the long‑term success of the company and allows every member of our corporate team to own part of the company and share in the company’s long‑term growth and success.

The U.S. base salary range for this full‑time position is $140,000 - $195,000. Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within each range, individual pay is based on factors such as job‑related skills, experience, performance, and relevant education or training. In addition to the base salary, the successful candidate will also receive benefits and a generous equity package. These ranges may be modified in the future to reflect evolving market conditions and organizational needs. While most offers will typically fall toward the starting point of the range, total compensation will depend on the candidate’s specific qualifications, expertise, and alignment with the role’s requirements.