Hardware Engineering Manager Jobs in Connecticut

Design Driven. Customer Focused. Human Connected. Saying hello or goodbye. Buying or selling. Working or not working. Screens have become the place we find ourselves. At Reality Interactive, we strive to make every screen experience meaningful. Design drives our work as we bring brands to consumers in insightful ways. With a growth mindset, we find opportunity in every project no matter the scope or budget. Even after so many years of exceeding expectations, we are forever a human-focused start-up. A place where talent, connection and collaboration are nurtured. A place where we build towards a future that's ready for anything.

Location: Middletown, CT

Travel: Approximately 30%

Salary Range: $80-$90k

Reality Interactive is looking for a Hardware Solutions Manager to lead the design, sourcing, and lifecycle management of hardware solutions supporting our digital signage, kiosk, and interactive retail technology deployments.

This role combines technical solution design, vendor management, procurement, and project support. You'll work closely with Sales, Project Management, Engineering, and Technical Services to turn client requirements into reliable, scalable hardware solutions. Then, where needed, lead field integration planning and be an escalation path for our tier 1 and senior team for complex hardware troubleshooting.

You’ll also develop relationships with manufacturers, distributors, and technology partners, driving strategic channel growth by building and leveraging key industry partnerships while helping Reality make informed decisions around product selection, pricing, availability, and long-term hardware standards.

• Design and recommend hardware solutions based on client, technical, environmental, and project requirements


• Evaluate and specify displays, media players, PCs, networking equipment, peripherals, mounting solutions, and related technologies


• Build and manage high-impact relationships with manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and technology partners to drive channel growth and broaden solution offerings


• Negotiate pricing, availability, lead times, warranty terms, and support arrangements


• Support hardware purchasing decisions and develop preferred hardware standards


• Research and evaluate new technologies, including samples, testing, and proof-of-concept solutions


• Partner with Sales, Project Management, and Development on estimating, solution development, deployment, and complex troubleshooting


• Identify opportunities to improve hardware cost, reliability, standardization, serviceability, and vendor relationships


• Lead field integration planning where needed and be an escalation path for our Tier 1 and Senior team for complex troubleshooting


• Identify and attend industry events


• On site travel to clients and vendors

Reality Interactive designs and manages interactive retail technology - digital signage, kiosks, and the bitSHUTTLE CMS platform - deployed across large multi-location retail clients nationwide. You'll be part of a hands-on team where hardware decisions directly shape the client experience. Competitive salary, benefits, bonus potential, flex time.

• Experience with AV, digital signage, kiosks, retail technology, or related hardware systems


• Experience designing or specifying hardware solutions based on technical requirements


• Knowledge of commercial displays, media players, PCs, networking, peripherals, and mounting systems


• Experience working with hardware manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers


• Ability to evaluate hardware based on cost, reliability, compatibility, availability, and lifecycle


• Strong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills


• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills


• Experience supervising, mentoring, or providing technical direction


• Willingness to travel approximately 30%

• Experience developing standardized hardware platforms or approved product lists


• Experience negotiating manufacturer or distributor pricing


• Familiarity with commercial AV distribution channels


• Experience with prototypes, product testing, or proof-of-concept solutions


• Experience supporting nationwide or multi-location deployments

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

This position is currently accepting applications.