Head of Hardware Partnerships

EngineersOfAI; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

EngineersOfAI is seeking a Head of Hardware Partnerships in San Francisco, California. In this strategic role, you will define the hardware vision and collaborate with product and commercial teams to enhance merchant interactions through innovative hardware solutions.

Ideal candidates will have 5-10 years of experience in hardware partnerships, strong leadership skills, and the ability to influence industry standards. This position offers insight into high-stakes commercial relationships with global partners and is pivotal in scaling Adyen's global growth.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in leading hardware partnerships or product strategy.
• Strong understanding of payments and consumer electronics sectors.
• Ability to influence executives in global hardware manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Set the global hardware agenda, defining long-term roadmaps.
• Lead end-to-end commercial lifecycle with hardware partners.
• Collaborate with Product Management to align hardware and software needs.
• Strategy for hardware certification and distribution in new markets.
• Advocate for integration of innovative features by hardware partners.

Skills

Leadership in Hardware Partnerships

Understanding of Payment Systems

Customer Engagement

Strategic Vision Development

Operational Insight in Hardware

Job description

Head of Hardware Partnerships

Adyen is looking for a Head of Hardware Partnerships to serve as the strategic thought leader of our global hardware agenda. You will sit at the intersection of Product, Engineering, and Commercial teams to define a hardware strategy that transforms how merchants interact with their customers in the physical world.

This role is about more than managing vendors; it’s about setting a vision for our hardware strategy with our partners in tight collaboration with product and commercial teams. You will be responsible for driving partner alignment on the form factors Adyen requires, pushing manufacturers toward "merchant-first" innovation, and leading the high-stakes commercial relationships that bring next-generation hardware breakthroughs to market.

What you’ll do

• Set the Global Hardware Agenda: Define the long-term roadmap for Adyen’s physical presence with product’s support and ensure our partners are helping us achieve that vision. Working lock step with product, you will determine which device categories, form factors, and regional expansions will unlock the most value for our merchants over a 3-5 year horizon.
• Lead Complex Ecosystem Commercials: Own the end-to-end commercial lifecycle with our most critical global hardware partners. This includes negotiating complex development agreements, joint go-to-market incentives, and supply chain commitments that ensure Adyen has the right inventory in the right places.
• Bridge Product & Market Needs: Collaborate with Product Management to ensure hardware capabilities like "Tap to Pay" or mobile-first POS align with our software ecosystem. You will translate merchant feedback into technical requirements that our partners can execute against.
• Scale Global Expansion: Lead the strategy for hardware certification and distribution in new markets. You will ensure our hardware partners are prepared to support Adyen’s rapid global growth, maintaining high standards for device security and reliability across all regions.
• Drive Partner-Led Innovation: Move beyond "off-the-shelf" limitations. You will advocate for Adyen’s merchants by pushing hardware partners to integrate specific features—such as biometrics, enhanced connectivity, or custom industrial designs—that solve real-world checkout friction.

Who you are

• A Strategic Leader: 5-10 years of experience leading hardware partnerships or product strategy, specifically within the payments, point-of-sale, or consumer electronics sectors.
• Customer-Obsessed: You have a "product-first" mindset. You enjoy spending time with merchants to understand their operational challenges and translating those insights into hardware requirements.
• An Industry Influencer: You have the gravitas to influence the C-suite of global hardware manufacturers, challenging them to prioritize Adyen’s vision over their standard product cycles.
• Operationally Rigorous: You understand the complexities of hardware—from lead times and certifications to firmware lifecycles—and can navigate these challenges without losing sight of the commercial goal.
• Clear Communicator: You can distill complex technical trade-offs into simple strategic choices for executive stakeholders.