Head of Hardware Product Design - San FranciscoWhat you will doDefine the Next Generation of AI HardwareYou will work with the founding team to define new device categories such as:
- AI wearables
- AI companion devices
- next-generation intelligent hardware
You will drive the process from
concept 12 design 12 prototype 12 product.
Build a World-Class Design TeamYou will build and lead a rocketship team including:
- Industrial Design (ID)
- UX / Interaction Design
- User Research
- HMI
- Hardware Prototyping
Our goal is not just a design team - but a
product innovation lab.
Create New Hardware ExperiencesYou will lead the design of:
- hardware form factors
- interaction models
- AI + hardware experiences
- rapid prototype iterations
Working closely with engineering, AI, and product teams.
Skills, qualifications and experience we look for- 8+ years experience in hardware product design or product management
- Deep understanding of wearable devices with hands-on product design experience
- Cross-functional leadership experience, either as a product design squad lead and/or as a people manager
Experience We LoveExperience designing or defining products such as:
- AI glasses
- smart watches
- smart rings
- smart earbuds / headphones
- smart speakers
- smartphones
Or experience working on:
- XR / AR
- ambient computing
- AI hardware
What We Value the MostWe especially value candidates who have:
Proven experience designing or defining breakthrough products in smart hardware or AI hardware.You should also have a strong methodological understanding of at least one of the following areas:
- Product Definition
- User Research
- Human-Machine Interaction (HMI)
We value leaders who bring
clear thinking frameworks and product philosophy, not just execution experience.
Why This Role Is UniqueThis is a rare opportunity. You are not just designing a product. You are helping define:
The hardware platform for the AI era.You will:
- build a new design center in San Francisco
- explore new computing paradigms with AI researchers and engineers
- create products that define the next generation of intelligent devices
What we offer- Meaningful Ownership An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that gives a real stake in Plaud's long-term success.
- High-Impact Environment Work in a fast-moving, product-driven environment where your ideas directly shape the future of AI productivity.
- Comprehensive Health & Retirement Benefits Top-tier medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, supported by a generous employer subsidy, plus a 401(k) retirement plan with company matching for full-time employees.
- Time Off & Workplace Benefits Unlimited PTO, plus 13 paid holidays, 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave for all parents, a hybrid work model with a minimum of three in-office days per week, and access to high-quality office snacks, drinks, and equipment.
- Cutting-Edge AI Tools for Productivity Access to best-in-class AI tools, including Cursor, GPT models, Gemini, Claude, and other frontier AI systems to maximize engineering and execution efficiency.
- Best-in-Class Equipment Choice of top-spec laptops, high-performance workstation setups, and cutting-edge Plaud devices for all new hires.
- Team & Culture Annual company offsites, team events, and a culture that values craftsmanship, ownership, and velocity.
