Hardware Lab Manager — Accelerate Prototyping & Validation

WHOOP; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

WHOOP is hiring a Hardware Lab Manager based in Boston, MA to own and scale the hardware development lab supporting rapid prototype through validation.

You will lead a team of lab technicians and partner with Hardware Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and TPM to prioritize resources, expand capabilities, and create a high-throughput platform for product development. The role requires hands-on lab leadership and a focus on safety and efficiency.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in hardware development or lab environment.
• Experience leading lab operations or technical teams.
• Experience managing lab equipment, prototyping tools, metrology or calibration.
• Hands-on prototyping, debugging, and testing activities.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration.
• Commitment to AI tools in day-to-day tasks.

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.

Skills

Lab leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Hardware prototyping support

Lab safety programs

Strong communication

AI tools usage

Tools

Metrology equipment

Calibration tools

Inventory management systems

Lab equipment maintenance

Scheduling systems

Job description

WHOOP is hiring a Hardware Lab Manager based in Boston, MA to own and scale the hardware development lab supporting rapid prototype through validation.

You will lead a team of lab technicians and partner with Hardware Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and TPM to prioritize resources, expand capabilities, and create a high-throughput platform for product development. The role requires hands-on lab leadership and a focus on safety and efficiency.