Senior Director of Hardware
About the role
Remote -Canada
Reports to: Executive Leadership
Comp: 185-230K CAD
About The Company Our client is a fast-scaling hardware company that combines:
- Custom hardware (displays + media players)
- Android-based firmware (AOSP/ADK layer)
- Cloud software
Products are widely deployed in retail environments for pricing, promotions, and customer engagement.
The company is growing rapidly (doubling year over year). Hardware execution has been a constraint in recent growth, and this hire will play a critical role in accelerating delivery and shaping next-generation products.
This is a high-impact, greenfield leadership opportunity.
What This Role Owns This leader will oversee the entire Hardware & Firmware function, including:
- Technical ownership of hardware portfolio
- Android AOSP-based firmware strategy
- Next-generation digital signage innovation (LCD + emerging display technologies)
- ODM/OEM management (primarily Shenzhen, China)
- Patent tracking and renewals
- Process development and QA improvements
- Cross-functional execution across Product, Software, and Supply Chain
Team & Structure
- 4-5 direct reports (hardware engineers, design engineers, firmware developers)
- 2 engineers focused on Android ADK layer
- Team largely remote (Ontario + Montreal presence)
- Junior team requiring mentorship and potential re-org
Role Allocation
-
~70% hands-on / 30% leadership
-
50% current product execution
-
30% forward-looking R&D
-
20% leadership & process
Travel
- Asia: ~1x per year
- Primarily Canada (Montreal > Toronto)
- Limited U.S. travel (NYC occasionally)
Ideal Background Must-Haves
- Deep Android (AOSP) firmware expertise — core competency
- End-to-end hardware development experience
- Experience working with Chinese ODM/OEM partners
- Proven ability to hit hardware timelines
- Comfortable in smaller / scaling environments
- Strong cross-functional communicator
- Experience owning roadmap execution
Strongly Preferred
- Digital signage or display ecosystem exposure
- Retail display hardware
- Tablet/media player hardware
- Mandarin (helpful, not required)
- Patent/IP tracking exposure
- Experience mentoring junior teams
- Startup or resource-constrained environment
What They’re Really Looking For This is not just a hardware management role.
They Need Someone Who
- Moves quickly and decisively
- Has strong Android system-level firmware credibility
- Can build process in a green environment
- Balances creativity with budget realities
- Navigates ambiguity and shifting timelines
- Is collaborative and ego-free
- Understands supply chain realities
- Can estimate accurately and deliver against commitments
This hire will materially influence company performance over the next 12-24 months.
For more info, please contact Maggie at mmclaughlin@talener.com
About Talener
Talener is a full-service staffing company with headquarters in NYC and Boston. Started as an IT contract agency in New York City in 2007, Talener has grown nationally - servicing technology, operations, HR, digital marketing, sales, finance, and accounting positions.
For nearly two decades, Talener has serviced dozens of industries from legal and publishing to education and fintech -- and everything in between.
Whether you are expanding your team or looking for right career for you, Talener's team of highly specialized staffing experts can help you through the interviewing and hiring experience.
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Senior Director of Hardware
About the role
Remote -Canada
Reports to: Executive Leadership
Comp: 185-230K CAD
About The Company Our client is a fast-scaling hardware company that combines:
- Custom hardware (displays + media players)
- Android-based firmware (AOSP/ADK layer)
- Cloud software
Products are widely deployed in retail environments for pricing, promotions, and customer engagement.
The company is growing rapidly (doubling year over year). Hardware execution has been a constraint in recent growth, and this hire will play a critical role in accelerating delivery and shaping next-generation products.
This is a high-impact, greenfield leadership opportunity.
What This Role Owns This leader will oversee the entire Hardware & Firmware function, including:
- Technical ownership of hardware portfolio
- Android AOSP-based firmware strategy
- Next-generation digital signage innovation (LCD + emerging display technologies)
- ODM/OEM management (primarily Shenzhen, China)
- Patent tracking and renewals
- Process development and QA improvements
- Cross-functional execution across Product, Software, and Supply Chain
Team & Structure
- 4-5 direct reports (hardware engineers, design engineers, firmware developers)
- 2 engineers focused on Android ADK layer
- Team largely remote (Ontario + Montreal presence)
- Junior team requiring mentorship and potential re-org
Role Allocation
-
~70% hands-on / 30% leadership
-
50% current product execution
-
30% forward-looking R&D
-
20% leadership & process
Travel
- Asia: ~1x per year
- Primarily Canada (Montreal > Toronto)
- Limited U.S. travel (NYC occasionally)
Ideal Background Must-Haves
- Deep Android (AOSP) firmware expertise — core competency
- End-to-end hardware development experience
- Experience working with Chinese ODM/OEM partners
- Proven ability to hit hardware timelines
- Comfortable in smaller / scaling environments
- Strong cross-functional communicator
- Experience owning roadmap execution
Strongly Preferred
- Digital signage or display ecosystem exposure
- Retail display hardware
- Tablet/media player hardware
- Mandarin (helpful, not required)
- Patent/IP tracking exposure
- Experience mentoring junior teams
- Startup or resource-constrained environment
What They’re Really Looking For This is not just a hardware management role.
They Need Someone Who
- Moves quickly and decisively
- Has strong Android system-level firmware credibility
- Can build process in a green environment
- Balances creativity with budget realities
- Navigates ambiguity and shifting timelines
- Is collaborative and ego-free
- Understands supply chain realities
- Can estimate accurately and deliver against commitments
This hire will materially influence company performance over the next 12-24 months.
For more info, please contact Maggie at mmclaughlin@talener.com
About Talener
Talener is a full-service staffing company with headquarters in NYC and Boston. Started as an IT contract agency in New York City in 2007, Talener has grown nationally - servicing technology, operations, HR, digital marketing, sales, finance, and accounting positions.
For nearly two decades, Talener has serviced dozens of industries from legal and publishing to education and fintech -- and everything in between.
Whether you are expanding your team or looking for right career for you, Talener's team of highly specialized staffing experts can help you through the interviewing and hiring experience.