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Director Hardware Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ICON is seeking a Director, Hardware Engineering to lead the end-to-end hardware lifecycle for our advanced 3D printing robotics and manufacturing systems, encompassing both New Product Development ...

ICON is seeking a Director, Hardware Engineering to lead the end-to-end hardware lifecycle for our advanced 3D printing robotics and manufacturing systems, encompassing both New Product Development ...

Cricut is looking for a Director of Hardware Engineering who understands what it takes to make great products. This individual will be technically competent, passionate about the consumer experience ...

FLEX Director, Hardware Asset Management

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$248.70K - $260.40K/yr

JOB SUMMARY The Director, Hardware Asset Management (HAM) is a senior, enterprise-wide leader responsible for defining and operationalizing a globally consistent hardware asset management program ...

OR · On-site

Design the process to deliver hardware products, accessories and variants * Lead implementation of tools and workflows to support this process * Own execution of specific projects, working with ...

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Director Hardware information

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$23.5K

$126.6K

$183K

How much do director hardware jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for director hardware in the United States is $126,595.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Hardware, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Hardware, you need deep expertise in hardware engineering, product development, and team leadership, typically supported by an engineering degree and extensive industry experience. Familiarity with CAD tools, hardware prototyping platforms, project management software, and relevant certifications like PMP or Six Sigma is highly valuable. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration skills help drive innovation and align technical teams with business goals. These competencies are crucial for delivering high-quality hardware products on time and within budget, ensuring organizational competitiveness and technological leadership.

How does a Director of Hardware typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during product development?

A Director of Hardware works closely with engineering, product management, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams throughout the product development cycle. This collaboration ensures that hardware designs align with product requirements, manufacturing capabilities, and quality standards. Regular meetings, design reviews, and joint problem-solving sessions are common, as is close coordination with software and firmware teams to integrate hardware and software functionalities seamlessly. Effective communication and a holistic understanding of the product lifecycle are essential to successfully lead and deliver high-quality hardware solutions.

What does a Director of Hardware do?

A Director of Hardware oversees the design, development, and production of physical technology products such as computer components, electronic devices, or embedded systems. They manage engineering teams, set strategic goals, and collaborate with cross-functional departments to ensure that hardware projects meet quality, cost, and timeline objectives. Additionally, they are responsible for staying updated with industry trends, implementing best practices, and driving innovation within the hardware development process.

What is the difference between Director Hardware vs Hardware Engineer?

AspectDirector HardwareHardware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields; extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles overseeing teams, strategic planning, and project managementDesign, develop, and test hardware components; hands-on technical work
Industry UsageUsed in organizations to lead hardware development and strategyUsed in product development, prototyping, and technical implementation

The main difference between a Director Hardware and a Hardware Engineer lies in their responsibilities and experience level. Directors focus on leadership, strategy, and managing teams, while Hardware Engineers are involved in technical design and development tasks. Both roles require relevant engineering credentials, but the scope and focus differ significantly.

More about Director Hardware jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Hardware jobs? Cities with the most Director Hardware job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Hardware jobs? The most popular types of Hardware jobs are:
What states have the most Director Hardware jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Hardware jobs include:
Infographic showing various Director Hardware job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,595 per year, or $60.9 per hour.
Director, Hardware Engineering

Director, Hardware Engineering

ICON

Austin, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

ICON is seeking a Director, Hardware Engineering to lead the end-to-end hardware lifecycle for our advanced 3D printing robotics and manufacturing systems, encompassing both New Product Development (NPD) and Sustaining Engineering. This leader will own the architectural integrity and execution across all Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering programs, from initial concept and Design for Excellence (DfX) through to rigorous validation, reliable field deployment, and continuous lifecycle enhancement. As a Director, you are accountable for managing departmental strategy, budget, resource allocation, and institutionalizing high-bar engineering standards that ensure our technology is reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective.
This role is based at ICON's Austin, TX office and reports to the VP of Technology and Products.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Engineering Leadership & Management: Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team spanning Electrical, Mechanical, and Systems Engineering disciplines. Drive excellence across both New Product Development and Sustaining functions, fostering a proactive "Design for Excellence" (DfX) culture. Ensure proper delegation of authority to 'trusted lieutenants' to remove bottlenecks and increase operational speed.
  • Hardware Architecture & Development: Own the technical definition and architectural roadmap for next-generation hardware systems. Drive the execution of new product development programs from concept/spec through rigorous validation (DVT) and transition to manufacturing, ensuring alignment with aggressive quality goals (e.g., 0 critical defects).
  • Reliability & Performance Tracking: Establish and own key performance indicators (KPIs) for the fleet, including Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), and Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) reduction via design and sustaining improvements.
  • Engineering Change Management (ECM): Own the end-to-end Engineering Change Control process for all hardware assets (NPD and field-deployed). Lead the review, approval, and implementation of Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), ensuring rigorous impact analysis and seamless field integration.
  • Closed-Loop Engineering: Create formal feedback loops between Field Operations, Sustaining Engineering, and the New Product Development (NPD) teams. Ensure that field data directly influences long-term product roadmaps to systematically improve serviceability and reliability (Defect-to-Design Feedback Loop).
  • Standardization & QMS: Develop and enforce operational objectives, policies, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) procedures. Ensure compliance with Quality Management Systems (QMS) and high industry standards (e.g., ISO 9001 or equivalent).
  • Cross-Functional Product Ownership: Serve as the final technical authority for hardware, partnering with Program Management, Manufacturing, and Industrial Design to manage the full hardware lifecycle. Resolve cross-functional structural conflicts to unblock critical path hardware development (e.g., the e-boom redesign).
  • Operational & Financial Management: Own and manage the multi-disciplinary hardware departmental budget and resource allocation. Drive the selection and implementation of engineering and data tools (e.g., Foundry for PM&A, PLM/ERP) to establish a data-driven culture and systemic defect resolution.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • 10+ years of engineering experience in high-complexity, multidisciplinary hardware environments (Robotics, Aerospace, Automotive, or Industrial Automation).
  • 5+ years of direct people management experience, including managing 'managers' and demonstrated success leading combined Electrical and Mechanical Engineering organizations.
  • Deep expertise in the full hardware lifecycle, including New Product Introduction (NPI), Engineering Change Management (ECM), and configuration control. Demonstrated experience implementing Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).
  • Exceptional ability to translate complex field telemetry, technical failures, and NPD progress into actionable executive summaries for non-technical stakeholders.
  • Proven track record of navigating ambiguity and building structural rigor in fast-paced, high-growth startup environments.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
  • Certifications: Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt) or CRE (Certified Reliability Engineer) credentials.
  • Tooling: Mastery of PLM software (e.g., Duro, Arena, Propel, Windchill) specifically for managing the ECO/ECR lifecycle and Bill of Materials (BOM) revisions.
  • Systems Thinking: Experience with "Digital Twin" concepts or using cloud-based data (GCP/AWS or Palantir Foundry) to perform Predictive Maintenance and OEE analysis.
  • Sustainable Engineering: A passion for ICON's mission, including an interest in sustainable construction practices and reducing the environmental footprint of automated manufacturing.
  • Networking: Knowledge of basic networking principles and industrial communication protocols (EtherCAT, CANOpen, etc.).

ICON is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an innovative, inclusive, diverse and discrimination-free work environment. Employment with ICON is based on merit, competence, and qualifications. It is our policy to administer all personnel actions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting employees, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Consistent with the obligations of these laws, ICON will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Furthermore, as a federal government contractor, the Company maintains an affirmative action program which furthers its commitment and complies with recordkeeping and reporting requirements under certain federal civil rights laws and regulations, including Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (as amended).
Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit candidates through this application. ICON does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency submissions for candidates and will not pay fees to any third-party agency without a prior agreement with ICON.
As part of our compliance with these obligations, the Company invites you to voluntarily self-identify as set forth below. Provision of such information is entirely voluntary and a decision to provide or not provide such information will not have any effect on your employment or subject you to any adverse treatment. Any and all information provided will be considered confidential, will be kept separate from your application and/or personnel file, and will only be used in accordance with applicable laws, orders and regulations, including those that require the information to be summarized and reported to the federal government for civil rights enforcement purposes.
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