Hardware Solutions Architect

Reality Interactive; Middletown (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Reality Interactive is seeking a Hardware Solutions Architect to lead the design, sourcing, and lifecycle management of hardware solutions for digital signage, kiosks, and interactive retail deployments. You will partner with Sales, Project Management, Engineering, and Technical Services to translate client requirements into reliable, scalable hardware solutions and guide field integration when needed.

You will develop relationships with manufacturers, distributors, and technology partners to

Qualifications

• Experience with AV, digital signage, kiosks, retail technology, or related hardware systems.
• Experience designing or specifying hardware solutions based on technical requirements.
• Knowledge of commercial displays, media players, PCs, networking, peripherals, and mounting systems.
• Experience working with hardware manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers.
• Ability to evaluate hardware based on cost, reliability, compatibility, availability, and lifecycle.
• Strong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or providing technical direction.
• Willingness to travel approximately 30%.

Responsibilities

• Design and recommend hardware solutions based on client, technical, environmental, and project requirements.
• Evaluate and specify displays, media players, PCs, networking equipment, peripherals, mounting solutions, and related technologies.
• Build and manage high-impact relationships with manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and technology partners to drive channel growth and broaden solution offerings.
• Negotiate pricing, availability, lead times, warranty terms, and support arrangements.
• Support hardware purchasing decisions and develop preferred hardware standards.
• Research and evaluate new technologies, including samples, testing, and proof-of-concept solutions.
• Partner with Sales, Project Management, and Development on estimating, solution development, deployment, and complex troubleshooting.
• Identify opportunities to improve hardware cost, reliability, standardization, serviceability, and vendor relationships.
• Lead field integration planning where needed and be an escalation path for our Tier 1 and Senior team for complex troubleshooting.
• Identify and attend industry events.
• On site travel to clients and vendors.

Skills

AV hardware

Digital signage

Vendor mgmt

Solution design

Cross-functional

Travel ready

Troubleshooting

Job description

Reality Interactive is looking for a Hardware Solutions Architect to lead the design, sourcing, and lifecycle management of hardware solutions supporting our digital signage, kiosk, and interactive retail technology deployments.

This role combines technical solution design, vendor management, procurement, and project support. You'll work closely with Sales, Project Management, Engineering, and Technical Services to turn client requirements into reliable, scalable hardware solutions. Then where needed, lead field integration planning and be an escalation path for our tier 1 and senior team for complex hardware troubleshooting.

You'll also develop relationships with manufacturers, distributors, and technology partners driving strategic channel growth by building and leveraging key industry partnerships while helping Reality make informed decisions around product selection, pricing, availability, and long-term hardware standards.

What You'll Do

• Design and recommend hardware solutions based on client, technical, environmental, and project requirements
• Evaluate and specify displays, media players, PCs, networking equipment, peripherals, mounting solutions, and related technologies
• Build and manage high-impact relationships with manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and technology partners to drive channel growth and broaden solution offerings.
• Negotiate pricing, availability, lead times, warranty terms, and support arrangements
• Support hardware purchasing decisions and develop preferred hardware standards
• Research and evaluate new technologies, including samples, testing, and proof-of-concept solutions
• Partner with Sales, Project Management, and Development on estimating, solution development, deployment, and complex troubleshooting
• Identify opportunities to improve hardware cost, reliability, standardization, serviceability, and vendor relationships
• Lead field integration planning where needed and be an escalation path for our Tier 1 and Senior team for complex troubleshooting
• Identify and attend industry events
• On site travel to clients and vendors

What You Bring

• Experience with AV, digital signage, kiosks, retail technology, or related hardware systems
• Experience designing or specifying hardware solutions based on technical requirements
• Knowledge of commercial displays, media players, PCs, networking, peripherals, and mounting systems
• Experience working with hardware manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers
• Ability to evaluate hardware based on cost, reliability, compatibility, availability, and lifecycle
• Strong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or providing technical direction
• Willingness to travel approximately 30%

Nice to Have

• Experience developing standardized hardware platforms or approved product lists
• Experience negotiating manufacturer or distributor pricing
• Familiarity with commercial AV distribution channels
• Experience with prototypes, product testing, or proof-of-concept solutions
• Experience supporting nationwide or multi-location deployments

Why Reality Interactive

Reality Interactive designs and manages interactive retail technology — digital signage, kiosks, and the bitSHUTTLE CMS platform — deployed across large multi-location retail clients nationwide. You'll be part of a hands-on team where hardware decisions directly shape the client experience. Competitive salary, benefits, bonus potential, flex time.