Senior Manager, Consumer AI Devices

Samsung Research America (SRA); Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 198,000 - 273,000; Full time

Job summary

Samsung Research America is seeking a Senior Manager to bridge hardware innovation and product strategy. You will lead the ideation of devices leveraging sensors, AI models, and novel form factors, translating research into world-class solutions across Samsung’s ecosystem.

Based in Mountain View, you will form collaborations with startups and universities, drive build-buy-partnerships, and shape investments and collaborations to accelerate differentiation in smartphones, wearables, TVs, XR

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related engineering discipline and/or PhD with focus on hardware, sensors, or embedded systems.

Responsibilities

• Analyze market trends and university research in hardware innovations relevant to Samsung’s consumer electronics.
• Evaluate emerging hardware technologies like neuromorphic sensors and AI accelerators for product viability.
• Synthesize global consumer trends with technical feasibility to propose next-generation devices where AI is core.
• Bridge R&D, Engineering, and Business Strategy to translate concepts into executable roadmaps.

Skills

On-Device AI

SoC design

RF systems

Sensor fusion

Edge computing

Cross-team leadership

Presentation skills

Travel willingness

Education

Master's degree or PhD in EE/CE

Job description

Lab Summary

Samsung Research America's Emerging Technologies Group identifies and incubates innovative external technologies that accelerate Samsung's development and market position of its industry-leading consumer devices and medical equipment. We proactively research and create incubation, partnership & investment opportunities with breakthrough technologies that lay the foundation for the future of Samsung's core products & services across smartphones, tablets, wearables, PCs, TVs, appliances, and more. In addition to driving both the technical and business processes to validate and commercialize new technologies in Samsung's existing products, we maintain a strong pulse on the market to find the next big opportunity.

Lab Summary

Samsung Research America's Emerging Technologies Group identifies and incubates innovative external technologies that accelerate Samsung's development and market position of its industry-leading consumer devices and medical equipment. We proactively research and create incubation, partnership & investment opportunities with breakthrough technologies that lay the foundation for the future of Samsung's core products & services across smartphones, tablets, wearables, PCs, TVs, appliances, and more. In addition to driving both the technical and business processes to validate and commercialize new technologies in Samsung's existing products, we maintain a strong pulse on the market to find the next big opportunity.

Position Summary

At Samsung, we don’t just build the next smartphone or wearable; we define the future of human-device interaction. We are seeking a Senior Manager who sits at the unique intersection of deep hardware expertise, AI technology trends, and product strategy. You will not be managing a backlog of features; you will be an architect of what comes next. In an era where AI is moving from the cloud to the edge (On-Device AI), you will lead the ideation of groundbreaking consumer devices that leverage new sensor technologies, advanced AI models, and novel form factors. Your mission is to identify emerging hardware capabilities and translate them into viable, world-class products that redefine the Samsung ecosystem. You are responsible for researching and developing collaborations with external innovations in various hardware subsystems (advanced computing, sensors, communications, etc.), and formulating strategies to pair them with machine learning capabilities to deliver innovative solutions through Samsung’s vast product ecosystem. You will develop recommendations and actionable build-buy-partnership strategies to advance Samsung’s product capabilities and provide competitive advantage. In this role, you will perform technology research on the latest advances in novel computing, SoC, sensors, and other various hardware innovations from startups, universities, and regulatory institutions to create new internal collaboration projects with Samsung R&D teams. With an aim towards advancing Samsung’s product offerings across smartphones, wearables, TVs, XR devices, and more. you will develop business cases, promote the most relevant and impactful technology breakthroughs with our leadership team, foster partnerships with startups & universities, and drive pivotal initiatives that increase Samsung’s differentiation in the space.

Position Responsibilities

• Analyze market trends, new breakthroughs in technology, and university research & technology publications in hardware innovations that are relevant to Samsung’s consumer electronics product offerings
• Evaluate emerging hardware technologies (e.g., neuromorphic sensors, low-power AI accelerators, advanced MEMS, metamaterial antennas) and determine their product viability
• Synthesize global consumer trends with technical feasibility to propose next-generation consumer devices, where AI is the core differentiator, before the market realizes they exist
• Bridge the gap between R&D (chip design, sensor physics), Engineering (thermal, power, RF), and Business Strategy to turn abstract concepts into executable roadmaps
• Foster relationships with external technology startups, VCs, accelerators, and universities, to find breakthrough innovations and effectively communicate their value proposition to Samsung R&D teams and executives globally
• Conduct rapid prototyping assessments, BOM modeling, and risk analysis to validate new product concepts before formulating development plans
• Be the primary liaison between partners and Samsung by leading discussions, facilitating evaluations, and driving POCs with an eye towards partnership, commercialization, investment, and/or M&A
• Proactively address ambiguity through strategic thinking followed by tactical execution

Required Skills

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related engineering discipline and/or PhD with a focus on hardware, sensors, or embedded systems or equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• 7+ years of experience in consumer electronics hardware technologies as a technology researcher with a foundational understanding of novel semiconductor innovations and sensor technologies, with the last 2–3 years transitioning into Technical Product Management or Product Strategy
• Proven deep domain expertise in consumer device architecture, including SoC design, RF systems, power management, and sensor fusion
• Deep understanding of On-Device AI, AI accelerator architectures, edge computing constraints, and how AI models interact with physical hardware (latency, power, thermal)
• Acumen to convey findings succinctly in layman’s terms as well as envision and explain hypothetical technical implementation in and impacts on existing hardware technology stacks
• Effective interpersonal and relationship management skills, especially influencing stakeholders without direct authority
• Experience in leading complex, multi-team and cross-geographic projects to success
• Excellent written, verbal communications and presentation skills
• Ability to deal with ambiguity associated with working in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Strong personal network within the industry, startup and ventures community
• Must be willing to travel domestically and internationally (15%)

Special Attributes

• Great communication skills: clear, patient, and well adapted to the audience and situation
• Analytical skills to formulate and present structured, objective recommendations and respond to challenges and objections
• Personal skills to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple assignments and delivery on tight schedules
• Ability to position and sell technology to executive audiences

Base Pay Range

$198,100 - $272,500 USD

Additional Information

Disclosure of Trade Secrets: Samsung has a strict policy on trade secrets. In applying to Samsung and progressing through the recruitment process, you must not disclose any trade secrets of a current or previous employer.

Essential Job Functions

This position will be performed in an office setting. The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, and frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Samsung, we believe that innovation and growth are driven by an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We aim to create a global team where everyone belongs and has equal opportunities, inspiring our talent to be their true selves. Together, we are building a better tomorrow for our customers, partners, and communities.

Samsung Research America is committed to employing a diverse workforce, and provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For more information regarding protection from discrimination under Federal law for applicants and employees, please refer to this link: Pay Transparency