Director of Hardware Engineering
Director of Hardware Engineering
Montreal, Quebec, Canada - Permanent
Job Description
Our client, having raised a Series C of $45 million USD, totaling over $100 million in financing, is rapidly scaling. Spun out of the UC Berkeley AI Research Lab, the company develops artificial intelligence to support care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other cognitive impairments.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most expensive disease in the US, costing an estimated $600 billion per year in direct and indirect costs. It affects 1 in 3 people over 85 and 1 in 9 people over 65. The company's first product focuses on reducing the frequency and impact of falls, the leading cause of hospitalization for those living with dementia. Peer-reviewed results show up to 80% fewer falls, with an average of 40% fewer falls and 80% fewer ER visits resulting from falls.
***This Role:
As the Director of Hardware Engineering, you will be responsible for leading the hardware design, development, and manufacturing processes for our next-generation AI-powered sensor systems. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including AI/ML engineers, software developers, product managers, and clinical experts, to ensure our devices leverage on-device AI capabilities for real-time decision-making and predictive analytics.
This role requires a strategic leader with a deep technical background in embedded systems, AI-driven edge computing, wired/wireless connectivity, and sensor technology, as well as strong experience managing hardware development lifecycles from concept to production.
You will:
•Lead the development of IoT ambient devices with AI-powered sensors capable of real-time activity detection, identification, predictive analytics, and automated alerts
•Oversee PCB design, embedded AI chip selection, firmware development, and hardware-software integration
•Ensure power-efficient, scalable, and reliable device performance for continuous operation in assisted living environments
•Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing hardware engineering team
•Define and execute the hardware and AI integration roadmap, aligning with business and product goals
•Collaborate with executive leadership and product teams to drive AI-driven innovations in ambient healthcare technology
•Work with ODM/OEM partners to ensure efficient manufacturing, quality control, and cost optimization; Conduct RFP, vendor evaluation, and selection
•Oversee component sourcing, supply chain resilience, and regulatory compliance (e.g. FCC, CE, UL, FDA if applicable)
•Understand and evaluate design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for testability (DFT) best practices
•Ensure compliance with healthcare technology regulations and safety standards
•Lead risk assessment and reliability testing for AI-powered sensor deployment in assisted living settings
•Establish robust QA and validation processes for AI and hardware performance
Must Have Skills:
•Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
•10+ years of experience in hardware development, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
•Proven expertise in embedded AI processing, edge computing, wired (PoE), wireless communication (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa, Zigbee), and sensor integration
•Strong understanding of low-power AI hardware, RF design, and IoT connectivity protocols
•Experience with hardware lifecycle management, from prototyping to high-volume manufacturing
•Knowledge of medical device or assistive technology regulations is a plus
•Experience in healthcare technology, ambient computing, or AI-powered IoT devices preferred
•Familiarity with AI frameworks for embedded systems (e.g. TensorFlow Lite, Edge Impulse, TinyML) preferred
•Strong relationships with contract manufacturers, component suppliers, and regulatory bodies preferred