Manufacturing Engineer (NPI & ODM Operations)

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO); Mountain View, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health insurance

Travel opportunities

Job summary

NextSense is seeking an experienced hardware program manager to own the manufacturing of an EEG earbud from EVT/DVT/PVT through mass production. You will be the primary interface to our China-based ODM, drive NPI builds, and manage schedules, data, and risk across multi-geo teams.

You will track daily production health, perform root-cause analysis, and troubleshoot cross-domain issues spanning mechanical, acoustics, battery, RF, and EEG sensing components, reporting to the VP of Engineering.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in manufacturing, NPI, or hardware program engineering for consumer electronics.
• Mandarin: Professional fluency (spoken; written strongly preferred).
• China experience: direct hands-on experience with ODMs/CMs and ~25% travel.
• Strong program management: own schedules, deliverables across vendors and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Own manufacturing of EEG earbud from engineering builds through mass production.
• Serve as primary interface to China-based ODM.
• Drive NPI builds (EVT, DVT, PVT, MP) and close open issues with corrective actions.
• Track production health daily and perform root-cause analysis with ODM and internal engineers.
• Debug cross-domain issues (mechanical, acoustics, battery, Bluetooth/RF, EEG sensing components).
• Run the program: master schedule, BOM/PO status, risk flags, weekly leadership updates.

Skills

Program management

Root-cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Hardware manufacturing

Schematic reading

Travel readiness

Job description

About NextSense

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.

Essentials

• 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

• Competitive Salaries: $130K-$170K plus stock options
• 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