Product Owner – Wearable Device Development & Validation

Quest Global; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 230,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Employer paid Life Insurance

Short- & Long-Term Disability

Job summary

A leading technology company is seeking a Product Owner to lead the development of smart device technologies in Sunnyvale, CA. The role involves managing cross-functional teams and ensuring product requirements are met while maintaining compliance with global standards. The ideal candidate will have over 20 years of experience in smart device development and excellent stakeholder management skills. Competitive benefits include health insurance, 401(k) matching, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in IoT, consumer electronics, wearables, and/or automotive.
• Deep understanding of wireless communication protocols and hardware-software integration.
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) or equivalent agile certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Product Vision and Strategy aligning product development with market trends.
• Act as the principal liaison between internal teams and the global customer.
• Oversee validation program ensuring compliance with global standards.

Skills

Smart device development

Stakeholder management

Agile methodologies

Embedded systems

Problem-solving

Education

20+ years in Product Owner or equivalent senior role

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Product Owner to lead the development and validation of smart device technologies in partnership with a global Tier 1 customer. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between cross-functional teams (hardware, software, QA, manufacturing) and the customer, ensuring that product requirements are well defined, prioritized, and delivered effectively.

As a Product Owner, you will be responsible for driving product vision, backlog management, sprint planning, and continuous alignment with stakeholders. You will be working closely with internal R&D teams and external customer teams to develop, validate, and deliver high-quality smart device solutions that meet stringent global standards.

Base pay range

$230,000.00/yr - $300,000.00/yr

Responsibilities

• Lead Product Vision and Strategy: Define and drive the long-term product roadmap, aligning product development with both customer needs and market trends.
• Stakeholder Management: Act as the principal liaison between internal teams and the global Tier 1 customer, ensuring alignment on product features, milestones, and quality expectations.
• Product Backlog Management: Own the product backlog and prioritize user stories, features, and requirements based on strategic objectives, customer needs, and technical feasibility.
• Drive Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with senior leadership and technical teams (hardware, software, validation, and manufacturing) to ensure smooth coordination and on-time delivery.
• Agile Leadership: Lead Agile processes and ensure that teams are consistently delivering value, iterating rapidly, and adhering to high-quality standards. Champion continuous improvement in Agile methodologies.
• Product Validation and Testing: Oversee the validation program, ensuring the product meets all technical, regulatory, and customer-specific requirements. Manage testing phases and ensure compliance with global standards.
• Customer Engagement: Present and demo product features to customer executives and senior leadership, ensuring their needs are met and feedback is incorporated into future releases.
• Risk and Dependency Management: Identify and mitigate risks associated with product development, manage complex dependencies, and resolve issues promptly.
• Product Lifecycle Oversight: Own the full lifecycle of the product from concept through development, validation, and post-launch support. Ensure the product aligns with industry regulations and standards.
• KPI and Metrics Reporting: Provide executive-level reporting on product performance, development progress, and any potential roadblocks.

Qualifications

• Technical Expertise

• Extensive experience (20+ years) in smart device development, including IoT, consumer electronics, wearables, and/or automotive.
• Deep understanding of embedded systems, wireless communication protocols (e.g., BLE, Zigbee, Wi-Fi), firmware, and hardware-software integration.
• Expertise in validation and testing processes across hardware and software, including compliance with industry standards (e.g., FCC, CE, ISO).
• Proficiency with Agile methodologies and tools like Jira, Confluence, or similar.
• Hands-on experience in product lifecycle management and the ability to lead large-scale product launches.
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms, AI integration, and emerging technologies in smart devices.

• Strategic and Leadership Skills
• Proven track record in leading global product teams and managing complex cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to senior executives and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to drive customer-centric product strategies and translate customer needs into high-level product vision and detailed requirements.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution capabilities, with the ability to make tough decisions in high-pressure situations.
• Ability to balance long-term strategic planning with short-term tactical execution.

• Experience
• 20+ years in a Product Owner or equivalent senior role in smart device, IoT, or consumer electronics development.
• Proven leadership experience in collaborating with Tier 1 customers in a global or enterprise-level context.
• Expertise in developing and managing highly complex products with a focus on validation, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated success in driving cross-functional team performance across regions and time zones.
• Experience in product management or technical program management in wearable devices or related hardware/software systems.
• Strong understanding of system-level validation, verification methodologies, and test planning.
• Familiarity with wearable device technologies including AR/VR hardware, sensors, firmware, and software integration.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, QA, and product teams.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

• Preferred Qualifications
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) or equivalent agile certification.
• Technical background in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Experience in leading large-scale product portfolios and aligning them with global market trends and customer-specific requirements.
• Knowledge of advanced technologies such as AI/ML, voice assistants, or connected ecosystems in smart devices.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Employer paid Life Insurance, Short- & Long-Term Disability

Location

• Sunnyvale, CA (on-site)
• You must be able to commute to and from the location with your own transportation arrangements to meet the required working hours.