Senior Research Manager, Physical Product

📋 Description

• Serve as primary research partner to Hardware, Systems, Product, Signal Processing, and Quality teams.
• Shape how research informs decisions across the physical product lifecycle with data-driven practices.
• Own intake, scoping, prioritization, resourcing, and execution of physical product research.
• Partner with Program Management to manage risk, communicate progress, and drive lab operations.
• Provide senior-level leadership for hardware validation study design, protocol development, benchmarking, and mixed-methods research.
• Serve as a senior individual contributor on complex hardware validation initiatives while championing participant experience.
• Manage, coach, and develop a team of researchers and coordinators; foster cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement.

🎯 Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Human Factors, Biomedical Engineering, Design Research, Psychology, Exercise Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of research for physical products in hardware/health tech wearables or consumer products; bridging technical validation and human subject research.
• 3+ years people management across hardware development lifecycles (NPI through CI).
• Strong understanding of hardware systems in engineering-driven product development.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships and communicate with senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing research vendors and external partners; strong organizational skills.
• Strong fluency with data management systems and leveraging AI tools to improve efficiency while maintaining rigor.
• Commitment to embracing AI tools in day-to-day tasks with high-quality standards.