Engineering Manager - Hardware

As the Engineering Manager - Hardware at Rapsodo, your primary responsibilities include leading and managing all hardware engineering projects from concept to production. You'll design and develop optimized high-performance hardware systems, oversee tasks such as PCB layout, schematic capture, and BOM creation, and ensure product quality through stringent testing and validation. Additionally, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams will be a major part of your role, ensuring seamless integration of hardware and software while navigating project roadblocks and evolving requirements.

To be considered for the Engineering Manager - Hardware position at Rapsodo, candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Electronics Engineering and over 8 years of experience in hardware design and optimization. Proven leadership skills are crucial, along with experience in managing high-performance engineering teams. A strong background in CPU and FPGA-based system design, high-speed digital board design, and analog circuit design is essential. Familiarity with compliance standards like FCC and CE is also highly valued.

In your role as Engineering Manager - Hardware at Rapsodo, you will be deeply involved in various hardware projects related to sports technology. This includes the design and development of advanced embedded systems that utilize AI, sensor fusion, and real-time data processing to enhance athletic performance. You'll oversee the complete lifecycle of product development—from the initial concept stage to final certification—ensuring that every project meets the high standards of quality expected in the industry.

Rapsodo places significant emphasis on quality assurance in hardware development. As the Engineering Manager - Hardware, you will be responsible for overseeing testing, debugging, and performance tuning to ensure that every product meets rigorous performance standards. You'll engage in thorough validation processes and provide guidance on technical priorities to ensure the final products are reliable and effective in real-world applications.

At Rapsodo, the company culture is characterized by innovation, collaboration, and a passion for sports technology. As the Engineering Manager - Hardware, you'll work in an environment that encourages creativity and challenges conventional thinking. Our team consists of highly skilled multidisciplinary engineers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of technology. With an entrepreneurial mindset integrated into our DNA, we foster a workplace where your contributions are valued and have a real impact on the future of sports performance.

When addressing your experience with high-speed digital board design in an interview, consider discussing specific projects where you successfully implemented designs and the technologies you utilized, such as DDR3/DDR4 or MIPI. Be prepared to explain the challenges faced, the solutions you developed, and the impact it had on overall performance or project outcomes. Highlight any leadership roles you played in guiding your team through these complexities.

To manage effective collaboration across various functions, such as software and manufacturing teams, I usually prioritize clear communication and regular meetings. I establish protocols to ensure everyone is aligned on project goals, timelines, and responsibilities. Providing stakeholders with updates and gathering feedback fosters collaboration and helps navigate challenges smoothly. Sharing project documentation in a centralized repository can significantly enhance cross-functional teamwork.

Essential certifications and compliance standards for hardware products in the sports technology industry typically include FCC, CE, and possibly ISO standards depending on the market. To answer this in an interview, communicate your understanding of these processes and any experience you may have with supporting certification efforts. You could discuss specific products you worked on that required compliance and how you ensured they met regulations.

In tackling technical roadblocks during hardware development, I leverage a systematic approach—starting with clearly defining the problem and gathering input from team members. I encourage brainstorming sessions to explore potential solutions and analyze data related to the issue. In addition, I emphasize iterative testing and prototype development to validate the effectiveness of proposed solutions before full-scale implementation.

When discussing your mentoring experience, focus on specific examples where you took an active role in developing your team’s skills. This may include conducting technical workshops, facilitating one-on-one meetings to set personal development goals, or pairing less experienced engineers with seasoned team members on complex tasks. Highlight how your guidance helped improve the team's overall performance and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

I have experience with several project management methodologies, particularly Agile and Scrum, which are valuable in hardware engineering for managing iterative development cycles. When discussing this in an interview, I would detail how I apply these methodologies to foster collaboration, manage sprints, and effectively adapt to changing project requirements while maintaining a focus on quality and delivery timelines.

To ensure hardware development aligns with business goals, I actively engage in the strategic planning phase of projects. This involves understanding the company's objectives and market demands, then aligning project goals with those targets. I communicate regularly with stakeholders and provide updates on how the engineering team’s work contributes to achieving broader business outcomes, making adjustments as required to remain strategically focused.

In a complex hardware-software integration project, it’s critical to explain how your leadership facilitated collaboration between teams. Highlight the scope of the project, the specific integrations required, and the challenges encountered. Discuss how you created a solid framework for communication, problem resolution, and testing, ultimately leading to successful integration that met customer expectations.

Staying updated on emerging trends in hardware technology is essential for an Engineering Manager. I subscribe to industry publications, attend conferences, and engage in professional networks. Sharing knowledge and insights with my team fosters a culture of continuous learning, allowing us to stay ahead of the curve and implement innovative solutions within our projects.

In a fast-paced environment, my approach to developing a product from concept to production is centered on agile methodologies that facilitate rapid iteration and feedback. I ensure clear communication across departments and create a detailed project plan that allows for flexibility while meeting deadlines. Emphasizing collaboration, regular check-ins, and utilizing prototyping helps us pivot quickly as needed without compromising quality.