Manufacturing Engineer (NPI & ODM Operations)

NextSense, Inc; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Collaborative work environment

Make a Real Impact

Job summary

NextSense, Inc. designs and manufactures brain-sensing wearable tech in Mountain View, CA. You will own the EEG earbud manufacturing process from engineering builds through mass production, acting as the main liaison with our Chinese ODM/CMs.

Role requires 5+ years in hardware programs, strong NPI experience, and professional Mandarin for daily collaboration. Expect on-site factory support and regular travel to China.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in manufacturing, NPI, or hardware program engineering for consumer electronics.
• Experience taking products through EVT/DVT/PVT into mass production.
• Mandarin: professional fluency for daily communication with ODM and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Own manufacturing of EEG earbud from engineering builds to mass production.
• Be primary interface to China-based ODM/CMs; manage on-site factory support.
• Drive NPI builds: EVT, DVT, PVT, MP; track issues and actions.
• Maintain master schedule, deliverables, BOM/PO, risk flags, weekly updates.
• Lead cross-functional teams across US and Asia time zones.

Skills

Manufacturing

NPI

Hardware program mgmt

Root-cause analysis

Cross-functional

Job description

At NextSense (https://nextsense.io/), our mission is to restore energy, joy, and purpose to daily life through clinically validated brain-sensing technology. Based in Mountain View, CA, our multi-modal smart earbud platform is designed to enhance sleep at night and boost energy throughout the day. Join us in shaping the future of wearable EEG and machine learning-driven insights.

Your Role

• We are a close-knit team of experts in hardware, software, algorithms, and neuroscience.
• Your mission is to own manufacturing of our EEG earbud, from engineering builds through mass production, and to be our primary interface to our ODM partner in China.
• You will drive NPI builds (EVT, DVT, PVT, MP): build readiness, on-site support at the factory, build reports, and closure of open issues and corrective actions.
• You will track production health day to day (schedules, yields, line and test-station data, first-pass failures) and drive root-cause analysis (8D/CAPA) with the ODM and our internal electrical, firmware, and mechanical engineers.
• You will debug issues that cross domains: mechanical fit and cosmetics, acoustics, battery and charging, Bluetooth/RF, and the quality of our EEG sensing components (electrodes, coatings, impedance screening).
• You will run the program: master schedule, deliverables and open‑issue tracking, BOM/PO and vendor payment status, risk flagging, and crisp weekly updates to leadership.
• Reporting to the VP of Engineering, you will collaborate with engineers, scientists, and multi‑geo teams across US and Asia time zones.
• Experience: 5+ years in manufacturing, NPI, or hardware program engineering for consumer electronics; you have taken at least one product through EVT/DVT/PVT into mass production.
• Mandarin: Professional fluency (spoken; written strongly preferred), required for daily communication with our China-based ODM and suppliers.
• China experience: Direct, hands‑on experience managing Chinese ODMs/CMs, and willingness to travel to China regularly (~25%, including multi‑week on‑site stays during builds).
• Program management: Highly organized; proven ability to own schedules, track deliverables across vendors and internal teams, and turn messy factory data into actionable reports and decisions.
• Debugging: Hands‑on root‑cause skills. Comfortable reading schematics and mechanical drawings, analyzing production and test data, and running structured failure analysis.
• Collaboration: Excellent communication skills and experience working with cross‑functional, distributed teams.
• Startup Mindset: Adapt and thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment; comfortable wearing multiple hats.
• At this time, we're only able to consider applicants who are legally authorized to work in the United States.

Desired: Familiarity with any of the following

• TWS earbuds / hearables: audio, battery, charging case, antenna/RF, and Bluetooth SoC platforms
• Biosignal wearables: EEG/PPG sensing, dry electrodes, coatings and surface treatments, impedance testing
• Production test engineering: test station bring‑up, fixtures, yield and SPC analysis
• DFM, plastics, and tooling
• Reliability testing and returns/RMA failure analysis

Company Culture and Values

At NextSense, we value hard work but also believe in enjoying the journey. Our fast‑paced environment is balanced with a fun, collaborative atmosphere that fosters innovation and creativity. We are hands‑on, often wearing multiple hats to drive our mission forward. There is ample room for professional growth, with opportunities to learn, take on new challenges, and make a significant impact. Our culture proceeds from our core values: Conviction, Connection, Curiosity, Compassion, Candor, and Co‑Founder Mentality.

Benefits and Perks

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision
• Collaborative Work Environment: Supportive, cross‑functional teams with opportunities to travel for sync‑ups
• Make a Real Impact: Work on a mission‑driven product that restores joy, energy, and purpose