Systems and Test Engineering Manager
We are seeking a proactive and results-driven System and Test Engineering Manager to lead the systems team and testing efforts for unspun and closely coordinate with the Hardware R&D teams, operations teams, and product teams. Reporting to senior leadership, this role will focus on driving process excellence, supporting cross-functional initiatives, and setting the foundation for future machine deployment and lifecycle management.
About unspun
unspun's mission is to reduce global carbon emissions by 1% by revolutionizing the way we make clothes. We envision a world where every garment is made on-demand, eliminating overproduction and reconnecting people with the clothing they wear.
We've recently secured Series B funding and are now scaling our proven Vega™ 3D weaving technology. Our focus is on transforming this innovative concept into a global manufacturing reality, and we need your expertise to make it happen.
About You
This is a hands-on, process-oriented role requiring deep collaboration with R&D, Operations Deployment, Textile Engineering. You will oversee the Systems Engineering team and be responsible for testing and systems. You will be pivotal in managing prototype hardware, defining new workflows, and ensuring machine uptime and operator support as we scale.
What You'll Do
As our first System and Test Engineering Manager, your core responsibility to build and lead a multidisciplinary systems and test engineering team with cross-functional support. Mentor team members and foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration.Plan for team growth to meet evolving operational needs. Support the ongoing reliability, uptime testing, and architect strategies of our hardware architecture. Define and implement processes for managing product revisions and improvements across manufacturing and assembly.
Leverage learnings from local and remote deployments to inform designs and processes.
- Oversee and manage verification and validation (V&V) projects to ensure designs meet requirements. Anticipate and plan for risks when complete all testing to ensure design phase gates reviews are fully informed and milestones are hit.
- Support readiness for deployments of our loom into future factories, ranging from information flow coordination to sustaining engineering when needed. Ensure the consistent performance and reliability of all internally and externally deployed machines.
- Address emergent hardware issues, including root cause analysis (RCA) and implementation of corrective actions with engineers on your team and in collaboration with R&D operations, manufacturing, systems and textile teams.
- Work with Operations Deployment, Textile Engineering, and R&D teams to prioritize and execute hardware projects that increase machine and weaving reliability. Establish and refine workflows for HW team support for the scaling of machine deployments and ensure operational excellence.
- Develop test stand deployment by coordinating all required test fixtures and stands on schedule, enabling complete verification of key hardware functionalities.
- 7+ years of engineering experience, with at least 3 years in a managerial or project management role.
- Proven track record in system and testing engineering roles, particularly for large capital machinery or manufacturing systems.
- Experience leading cross-functional projects and working on prototype hardware.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
- Expertise in industrial machinery design, test and integration, with knowledge of systems engineering principles.
- Strong problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and data-driven decision-making.
- Familiarity with product lifecycle management (PLM) tools and quality systems.
- Experience with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Exceptional leadership, collaboration, and stakeholder management abilities.
- Strong adaptability and problem-solving skills in ambiguous, fast-paced environments.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of aligning cross-functional teams and presenting to senior leadership.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of our innovative technology as we transition from prototypes to scalable manufacturing solutions. As the System and Test Engineering Manager, you’ll play a critical role in ensuring our success in delivering high-quality, reliable machinery to support groundbreaking advancements in textile and manufacturing industries.
If you thrive in dynamic environments and are passionate about process optimization, operational excellence, and team leadership, we encourage you to apply.
Benefits
The salary range for this role is $168,000 - $189,000 annually, depending on experience, plus equity benchmarked at 75th percentile.
Benefits include- self-regulated vacation policy
- comprehensive (gold & platinum) health/dental/vision insurance
- company sponsored 401k and FSA or HSA
- monthly gym membership or relevant online education grant of up to $150/month
- pre-tax commuter benefits
- incentive stock options
Our Philosophy
We won’t roll our eyes if your socks don’t match. We get it. But then, if you spend those extra few minutes in the morning matching your socks and shirt, we get that too. Our workspaces are sometimes spotless and sometimes chaotic, and we celebrate messy exploration.We work through complex problems but generate simple and elegant solutions. We strive to look at things differently, and never do anything solely because “that’s the way it’s always been done.”
We’re a team of designers and engineers, industry-veterans and serial entrepreneurs, artists and developers. We’re aspiring chess masters and climbers, bakers and photographers. Originally spun out of Stanford and the University of Colorado, we now call the SF Bay Area home, with strong ties to Hong Kong.We are looking for teammates who share our desire to work on ambitious problems and leave the world better than we found it.
unspun is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to being a diverse team that reflects a broad range of background, thought, and experience. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, status as an individual with a disability, status as protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristics.Women, minorities, and people from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.