Associate Manager, Hardware Test Engineering - 70% Hands On 30% Leadership

Job description

Cricut is seeking to hire an experienced and hands-on Associate Manager, HW Test Engineering to join our Hardware Quality Engineering team. This is a player-coach role responsible for both directly contributing to hardware test strategy, test planning, execution, troubleshooting, and data analysis, while also providing day-to-day leadership for a small team of Hardware Test Engineers and Hardware QA Testers. You will be responsible for helping formulate test strategies, developing and executing test plans for new and existing products based on product requirements, engineering specifications, and potential customer use cases. This role will supervise and mentor team members, support test execution, review results and documentation, drive root-cause analysis, and communicate product quality risks to cross-functional teams throughout the product development lifecycle. Job Responsibilities: Lead, coach, and support a small hardware quality test team, likely including one Hardware Test Engineer and multiple Hardware QA Testers Serve as a hands-on technical contributor by developing, executing, and reviewing hardware test plans for new and existing products Assign and prioritize daily test activities, lab work, data collection, troubleshooting, and reporting across the teamTrain, mentor, and provide technical guidance to engineers, testers, technicians, and lab personnel Review test data, defect findings, failure analysis, and documentation to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completenessAnalyze materials and data, conduct tests, troubleshoot issues, monitor performance, and ensure quality control during product development stages Develop and improve methods of testing, including repeatable test procedures, fixtures, jigs, and data collection processes Develop test plans for thermal, humidity, vibration, shock, drop/tumble, HALT/HASS, accelerated aging, durability, reliability, and other product qualification testing Conduct and lead root-cause analysis through Eight Disciplines (8D), fishbone analysis, 5-Why, or similar methods to drive corrective and preventive actions Utilize quality engineering tools and techniques such as gage R&R, SPC, DOE, Cp/Cpk, correlation analysis, and design for reliability to improve product quality and reliability Communicate and present defect, failure, risk, and opportunity data to cross-functional teams Collaborate with Engineering, Product, Manufacturing, Supplier Quality, Operations, and Contract Manufacturing teams to validate designs, manufacturing lines, and product readiness Analyze and recommend product readiness at EVT, DVT, MPQ, MP, and other development gates Support Product Risk Analysis activities, including DFMEA, PFMEA, NUDD, Lessons Learned, and high-risk item tracking prior to validating final designs Support QA concerns in meetings with cross-functional and project teams Maintain test equipment, lab organization, inventories, test supplies, and calibration needs Help establish team best practices for documentation, test execution, data integrity, lab safety, and issue escalation Provide input on performance, development, workload planning, and team capability needs Required: Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field Six or more (6+) years of post-graduate , hands-on technical work experience in hardware testing, quality engineering, reliability testing, manufacturing quality, or a related field Prior experience leading, mentoring, training, or supervising engineers, testers, technicians, or lab personnel Strong hands-on mechanical problem-solving and logical thinking skills Experience developing and executing hardware test plans based on product requirements, engineering specifications, and use cases Experience analyzing test data, identifying trends, troubleshooting failures, and communicating findings clearly Must have excellent interpersonal skills, including strong spoken and written English communication Self-starter, capable of working independently while making sound technical and business judgments Ability to build strong cross-functional relationships and influence teams without direct authority Experience with engineering drawings, test documentation, and technical reporting Experience using calipers, digital microscopes, test equipment, and common lab tools Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, data organization, charts, and basic statistical analysis Understanding of sum, max, min, average, standard deviation, confidence intervals, and other basic statistical concepts Ability to collect, collate, analyze, and present data and findings from tests Able to maintain high attention to detail, including while working on repetitive or long-duration test activities Able to lift up to 70 lbs Able to travel internationally up to 20% of the time (i.e. Malaysia, China and other locations where we manufacture machines which may be determined by business needs) Preferred: Experience in a player-coach or hands-on team lead role Project management and people management experience Excellent understanding of assembly processes Experience testing, analyzing, troubleshooting, or repairing hardware, mechanical, electronic, or electromechanical devices Experience with one or more of the following: mechanical parts, gears, castings, plastic parts, injection molding, tooling, jigs, fixtures, or automotive high-volume quality manufacturing engineering Experience with root-cause analysis and fixing hardware issues Knowledgeable in production control processes and data analysis tools such as GR&R, Cp/Cpk, SPC, DOE, correlation analysis, t-tests, and confidence intervals Experience with Minitab or other statistical analysis software Experience with process and design failure mode effects analysis, including DFMEA and PFMEA Experience conducting IPQC, first-article inspections, site audits, or supplier/contract manufacturer quality activities Working knowledge of UL, ASTM, ISO, or other relevant testing standards Experience with Advanced Product Quality Planning, APQP Experience with GD&T and CAD software such as Creo or SolidWorks Experience in mechanical design, rapid prototyping, 3D printing, machining, fixtures, and test setup development Hands-on experience with machining equipment, including tapping holes, milling, or lathe work Practical experience with thermodynamics, circuit boards, electronics, DC circuits, or infrared thermography Experience with Finite Element Analysis, FEA, or Computational Fluid Dynamics, CFD Microcontroller programming experience such as Arduino, C++, or Python Knowledge of current Cricut products, including Explore, Maker, EasyPress, and other products and tools ASQ certification or other relevant quality certification We’ve Got You Covered At Cricut, we take care of our people. Enjoy competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, a 401(k) match, generous PTO, tuition reimbursement, and a yearly lifestyle stipend to support your wellness and passions. You’ll also receive exclusive employee discounts—and best of all, you’ll be surrounded by some of the most talented, creative, and curious minds out there. A Quick Note Before You Apply… Cricut is in an exciting chapter of transformation. We’re evolving fast—refining our strategy, growing our teams, and raising the bar across everything we do. This is an incredible opportunity for the right kind of person—but it’s not for everyone. We’re looking for A-players—people who thrive in dynamic environments, turn challenges into momentum, and consistently deliver their best work. If that sounds like you, read on. Here’s what makes someone a great fit for this role (and for this moment at Cricut): · You move with urgency. You don’t wait for perfect clarity to act—you start, learn, and adjust. · You set high standards. You take ownership, deliver quality, and hold yourself accountable. · You stay focused when things move fast. You prioritize what matters most and tune out the noise. · You collaborate like a pro. You elevate others, communicate clearly, and bring a low-ego, high-output energy. · You embrace AI as part of your toolkit. From idea exploration to data analysis and creative problem-solving, you leverage AI to accelerate innovation and amplify impact—because technology and creativity go hand-in-hand here. One More Thing (It’s a Big One) This role is in-office FIVE days per week. We believe real collaboration, innovation, and culture are built face-to-face. If you’re energized by working alongside smart, kind, creative people—and love those hallway conversations that spark the next great idea—you’ll feel right at home. If you’re excited by challenge, purpose, and building something better—let’s make something amazing together. Relocation & Visa Sponsorship Statement: · This position is eligible for relocation assistance within the United States. It is expected that new hires will be in office before the first day of work. · Cricut is not considering individuals for this role currently living outside the United States of America and is not sponsoring all visa types at this time. What to Do Next: Please attach your resume, cover letter and/or include links to your portfolio or other social presence. If you want to show your super powers in other ways – include that information too. You can be sure that Cricut® is an employer who values individuality, equality and diversity, so tell us what you’re all about. If you are a Maker or a DIY enthusiast, whether you think you are a good one or not, we would love to hear about it when you send us your information. Cricut® is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. This position is contingent on successfully completing a Criminal Background Check upon hire. Cricut participates in E-Verify. Cricut® makes smart cutting machines that work with an easy-to-use app, an ever-growing collection of materials, and crafting essentials to help you design and personalize almost anything — custom cards, unique apparel, everyday items, and so much more. We believe everyone is born creative. We’re a diverse tapestry of thinkers, dreamers, givers, DIYers, handi-workers, artisans, and forever and always architects of things. At Cricut, we place the power of handmade into the hands of all. We give you beautiful, easy-to-master tools so you can make something unique, remarkable, perfect. We surround you with ideas, community, inspiration, and encouragement to take your creativity further than you ever imagined. And as a community, we celebrate the exhilarating act of making every single day. So, make that handcrafted card that feels like a hug. Design a shirt for fun, for family, or for a full-blown business. Craft with a passion or for a purpose. Make something big and bold, itsy-bitsy, amazingly ambitious, or just plain silly. Whatever you make, just make your heart out. Because here’s the remarkable truth: When we all make together, we make all things possible. Let’s make.