Staff Hardware Engineering Program Manager

Socket.dev; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

WHOOP is seeking a Staff Hardware Engineering Program Manager to lead the development of new hardware products from concept to launch in the Boston, MA area. This player‑coach role combines people leadership with program management across Hardware, Software, Manufacturing and Creative teams.

You will drive milestones with cross‑functional partners, manage complex programs, and ensure schedules, performance and cost goals are met in a fast‑paced environment. Travel up to 10% is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent practical hardware development experience.
• 8+ years of experience in consumer electronics hardware.
• Proven track record managing cross‑functional hardware projects from development to release.
• Excellent communication with hardware, firmware, manufacturing and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-disciplinary teams (Electrical, Mechanical, Firmware, Sensors, Manufacturing) to deliver new hardware.
• Manage the hardware project management team and align goals across programs.
• Provide visibility to sub-projects and advise leadership on prioritization and resources.
• Coordinate milestones with Product, Industrial Design and UX.
• Drive planning and execution from prototype to launch, balancing performance, schedule and cost.
• Develop detailed schedules and manage risks with engineering managers and vendors.
• Lead test planning from DOE to large-scale beta tests and report updates to executives.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

At WHOOP, we're on a mission to unlock and inspire performance for life WHOOP empowers members to perform at a higher level through a deeper understanding of their bodies and daily lives.

WHOOP is seeking a Staff Hardware Engineering Program Manager to lead the development of new products. This is a player-coach type role, involving both direct management and project management responsibilities. In this role, you will partner closely with Hardware, Software, Manufacturing, and Creative teams to deliver novel WHOOP hardware. You will be a vital part of the growing Hardware EPM team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and align multi-disciplinary engineering teams, including Electrical, Mechanical, Firmware, Sensors and Manufacturing, to deliver new WHOOP hardware products.
• Manage the engineering project management team dedicated to your program domain, ensuring everyone on your team is working towards the same goals.
• Build and maintain visibility to the sub-projects within your domain, advising executive leadership on prioritization and team allocation based on business needs.
• Coordinate critical milestones with cross-functional partners, such as Product, Industrial Design, and UX.
• Drive clarity and alignment cross-functionally, even when requirements are ambiguous or in-flux.
• Manage complex integrated projects from kickoff through launch, keeping in mind performance, schedule, and cost goals.
• Create and manage detailed project schedules based on the product goals, balancing timelines, resources, and risks.
• Work with the engineering managers to lead the project team through strategic and tactical shifts, keeping everyone focused on the most critical elements of the project.
• Drive the development builds from Prototype through DVT with internal and external vendor partners.
• Drive prioritization and planning of test activities with the Technical Leads, from focused design-of-experiments (DOEs) to large-scale beta tests.
• Communicate project updates and drive key decisions at the executive level.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent practical experience in hardware product development
• 8+ years of industry experience in consumer electronics
• Previous management experience is preferred, but not required.
• Demonstrated success managing cross-functional hardware projects from development through market release with multiple products launched to date.
• Strong understanding of product component development cycles, lead times, and sourcing processes
• Experience communicating with Hardware, Firmware, Manufacturing, and external partners both domestically and internationally
• Working knowledge of hardware lead-times and electrical development workflows.
• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and time management skills with the ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to travel internationally to support engineering builds (up to 10%).

This role is based in the WHOOP office located in Boston, MA. The successful candidate must be prepared to relocate if necessary to work out of the Boston, MA office.

Interested in the role, but don’t meet every qualification? We encourage you to still apply! At WHOOP, we believe there is much more to a candidate than what is written on paper, and we value character as much as experience. As we continue to build a diverse and inclusive environment, we encourage anyone who is interested in this role to apply.

WHOOP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-verify to determine employment eligibility. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The WHOOP compensation philosophy is designed to attract, motivate, and retain exceptional talent by offering competitive base salaries, meaningful equity, and consistent pay practices that reflect our mission and core values.

At WHOOP, we view total compensation as the combination of base salary, equity, and benefits, with equity serving as a key differentiator that aligns our employees with the long-term success of the company and allows every member of our corporate team to own part of WHOOP and share in the company’s long-term growth and success.

The U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is$175,000 - $215,000. Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within each range, individual pay is based on factors such as job-related skills, experience, performance, and relevant education or training.

In addition to the base salary, the successful candidate will also receive benefits and a generous equity package.