System and Test Engineering Manager at unspun

Are you a systems engineering leader who thrives at the intersection of complex hardware development and rigorous testing? Do you excel at building processes that transform prototype systems into reliable, production-ready machines? If you're passionate about revolutionizing manufacturing while fighting climate change, we want to talk with you.

Why This Role Matters

We're building Vega™, a breakthrough 3D weaving system that turns yarn directly into garments in minutes. As our Systems and Test Engineering Manager, you'll lead our systems team and testing efforts, working closely with Hardware R&D, Operations, and Product teams. Your expertise will ensure our revolutionary technology meets rigorous performance standards as we scale from prototype to global deployment, directly supporting our mission to reduce global carbon emissions by 1%.

What You'll Do

• Manage verification and validation processes, coordinating machine time, resources, and parts to meet testing milestones
• Lead reliability and uptime testing, working cross-functionally to address issues and ensure consistent weaving quality
• Drive root cause analysis (RCA) processes and corrective actions across hardware teams
• Architect testing strategies and oversee development of test fixtures and stands for verifying hardware performance
• Manage requirements traceability between test cases and hardware specifications
• Oversee commissioning and acceptance testing for internal and external machine deployments
• Lead hardware optimization projects based on deployment learnings
• Build processes that capture deployment insights and feed them back into R&D
• Manage and develop a team of systems and test engineers
• Collaborate across Product, Textile Engineering, Manufacturing, and R&D teams to integrate various requirements

Who You Are

• Experienced Engineering Leader: You bring 7+ years of experience in systems engineering, test engineering, or related hardware roles
• Systems Integration Expert: You have deep understanding of mechanical, electrical, and firmware integration for complex hardware
• Test Methodology Architect: You've designed and implemented comprehensive verification and validation processes
• Root Cause Analysis Specialist: You excel at systematic problem-solving and driving effective corrective actions
• Cross-Functional Collaborator: You can negotiate resources and align stakeholders you don't directly manage

What Success Looks Like

Imagine walking through multiple factory floors across continents, seeing Vega™ machines consistently producing garments on-demand with outstanding reliability, knowing your systems approach made this scale possible. Your impact will be measured in:

• A thriving systems engineering team delivering exceptional verification and validation processes
• Deployed machines operating with industry-leading uptime and performance metrics
• Streamlined workflows that enable rapid identification and resolution of issues
• Testing infrastructure that catches problems before they impact production
• Manufacturing processes that scale sustainably across global operations

A Typical Day Might Include

• Leading your systems engineering team through technical reviews and mentoring sessions
• Collaborating with R&D, Operations, and Textile Engineering on cross-functional challenges
• Analyzing performance data to identify opportunities for reliability improvements
• Developing test protocols that validate new hardware designs against strict requirements
• Planning deployment readiness for our next wave of factory installations
• Addressing emergent hardware issues with structured root cause analysis
• Having lunch with the team (we're a pretty social bunch!)

What Makes You a Great Fit?

• Do you excel at building processes that transform innovative technology into reliable systems?
• Can you lead technical teams while maintaining hands-on involvement in complex problems?
• Have you successfully managed the testing and validation of large machinery or manufacturing systems?
• Are you energized by finding elegant solutions to multifaceted engineering challenges?
• Can you navigate ambiguity while driving toward concrete, measurable outcomes?
• Do you naturally connect technical decisions to broader business and sustainability goals?

Why unspun?

We're not just another tech company - we're a team revolutionizing a trillion-dollar industry. Here's what makes us special:

• Mission-Driven: Your systems engineering expertise will directly reduce global carbon emissions
• Innovation at Scale: We've secured Series B funding and are scaling our proven technology
• Amazing Team: Work with passionate experts across engineering, operations, and product
• Growth Opportunity: Shape our systems approach as we expand globally

Our Culture

We're relentless in pursuing our mission, intentional in our decisions, and fundamentally human in how we work together. We celebrate small wins, speak up to benefit many, and aren't afraid to make mistakes along the way.

Benefits

The salary range for this role is $168,000 - $189,000 USD annually, depending on experience, plus equity benchmarked at the 75th percentile.

Benefits include:

• Self-regulated vacation policy
• Comprehensive (gold & platinum) health/dental/vision insurance
• Company sponsored 401k and FSA or HSA
• Monthly wellness or education grant up to $150
• 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.

Location

Emeryville, CA (On-site)