Head of Hardware

About the role

Head of Hardware role reporting directly to the CTO, owning systems engineering, requirements definition, and product compliance across the Duress wearable device portfolio. You will define what gets built and ensure it gets built right, governing a broad network of external design and manufacturing partners, driving product compliance across global markets, and leading a direct report in the hardware team. Every device is battery-operated and worn for full shifts, requiring trade-offs across size, power, thermal management, and performance. You will own the AI edge inference architecture, multi-radio connectivity strategy, and eSIM provisioning across the portfolio.

Key responsibilities

• Own hardware requirements and systems documentation across electronics, industrial design, and mechanical disciplines; author interface control documents, hardware requirement specifications, and V&V plans; brief and govern external design partners from concept through production.

• Architect AOSP and embedded Linux SoC platforms on MediaTek and Qualcomm processors; govern ODM BSP deliverables including FOTA architecture and device observability.

• Define AI edge and sensor subsystem requirements: NPU inference pipelines, MEMS microphones, camera modules, DSP/ISP tuning, and motion sensors.

• Own the connectivity and eSIM strategy: BLE, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi HaLow, LoRaWAN, LTE-M/NB-IoT, NTN, and SGP.32 provisioning across the device portfolio.

• Drive product compliance and certification: FCC/IC/CE/RCM radio approvals and SAR compliance, IEC 62368-1 product safety, EMC, and environmental certifications; manage pre-compliance testing to surface issues before the formal lab.

• Lead NPI from EVT through PVT: gate reviews, build readiness, AVL, BOM management, supply chain risk, and manufacturing acceptance criteria.

• Monitor field quality data and drive continuous improvement back into hardware requirements and design; track return rates, failure analysis findings, and field reliability trends.

• Partner with operations on BOM cost control, supply chain risk, and inventory management; support component lifecycle decisions, EOL planning, and second-source qualification.

• Manage and develop the Hardware Product Specialist; supervise testing activities and technical report writing.

• Engage directly with semiconductor vendors to access roadmap silicon and stay ahead of emerging platform developments.

About you

• 8+ years in hardware engineering across connected or wearable products, with a track record of leading technical teams and managing third-party partners through full NPI cycles.

• Deep RF and wireless expertise: multi-radio coexistence, link budget analysis, and OTA testing.

• Experience governing ODMs, design houses, and CMs through EVT/DVT/PVT; authoring HRS, ICDs, and V&V plans.

• Hands-on regulatory certification experience across at least two major markets (FCC/IC, CE, or RCM); EMC pre-compliance management.

• Battery system fundamentals: cell selection, charging topologies, power budgeting, and transport compliance.

• Familiarity with AOSP or embedded Linux SoC platforms on MediaTek or Qualcomm application processors.

About us

Duress is building safety technology for the people who need it most. Our platform combines mobile applications, wearable devices, and cloud-native infrastructure to deliver real-time emergency response and lone worker protection at scale. We're growing rapidly across Australia and internationally, trusted by organisations in industries where safety isn't optional. Our device range spans a wearable watch, a safety pendant, and a Body Worn Camera, each brought to market through a global network of specialist design houses, ODMs, and contract manufacturers.