Head of Hardware Product Management

Apptronik; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Apptronik is seeking a Head of Product Management, Hardware to own the hardware product vision for robots, peripherals, and components. You will build and lead a PM team, partner with engineering and manufacturing leadership, and drive end-to-end lifecycle from concept to end-of-life.

You will align with hardware/software across teams, drive roadmap governance, and own TCO strategy to maximize ROI. A strong track record in hardware and autonomous systems is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in product management or engineering, with 5+ years leading PMs.
• Bachelor's in mechanical/electrical/systems/robotics engineering; MBA helpful.
• Experience shipping complex hardware products.
• Experience with autonomous robots or similar electromechanical systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and develop the hardware product management team: hire, coach, and set standards.
• Partner with engineering leadership to maintain the hardware roadmap across robots, peripherals, and components.
• Own hardware product strategy and ensure a coherent portfolio with reuse and configuration strategy.
• Establish roadmap governance and metrics discipline across the team.
• Drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) strategy balancing unit COGS with reliability and maintenance costs.
• Define and track portfolio-level health metrics and report to executives.
• Lead full NPI lifecycle from prototype to mass production with gate decisions.
• Own the hardware lifecycle beyond launch: sustaining, field-issue resolution, end-of-life planning.
• Make-vs-buy decisions across systems and components with cost, lead time, and IP considerations.
• Lead vendor and manufacturing engagement on requirements, feasibility, cost, quality, and supply.
• Own product cost: BOM and COGS targets and related sourcing decisions.
• Align with software leadership to ensure integrated hardware/software.
• Collaborate with safety, quality, and compliance teams.

Skills

Team leadership

Hardware product management

NPI fluency

Vendor engagement

Make-vs-buy decisions

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in mechanical/electrical/systems/robotics

10+ years product management/engineering

MBA helpful

Job description

Apptronik is seeking a Head of Product Management, Hardware to own the hardware product vision for robots, peripherals, and components. You will build and lead a PM team, partner with engineering and manufacturing leadership, and drive end-to-end lifecycle from concept to end-of-life.

You will align with hardware/software across teams, drive roadmap governance, and own TCO strategy to maximize ROI. A strong track record in hardware and autonomous systems is essential.