VP of Hardware & Operations

Skip to Content Apply Here VP of Hardware & Operations Porto, Portugal What we're looking for The Hardware & Operations team at Smartex is entering a critical phase of growth as we move into Production Validation Testing (PVT) and prepare for commercial scale. As a fast-growing deep-tech company transforming the textile industry through AI-powered quality monitoring and analytics, we rely on robust hardware execution and operational excellence to deploy our technology worldwide.Smartex is looking for a VP of Hardware & Operations based in Porto to lead our hardware engineering and operations functions. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will own the full hardware lifecycle, from product engineering and manufacturing to supply chain and global deployment, while leading a multidisciplinary team through product launch and future platform development. ​ResponsibilitiesCross-Functional LeadershipDefine and drive the hardware and operations strategy, aligned with Smartex’s product roadmap and commercial growth.As part of Leadership Team, own and report on key hardware and operations metrics.Coordinate closely with Product, Software, and commercial teams to ensure hardware capabilities support business objectives.Build and scale the hardware and operations organisation, owning hiring, team structure, and talent development.Hardware Engineering LeadershipOversee & develop a multidisciplinary hardware team spanning electronics, firmware, machine vision/optics, and mechanical engineering.Own the full hardware development lifecycle: Proof of Concept (PoC) → Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) → Design Validation Testing (DVT) → Production Validation Testing (PVT) → Mass Production (MP).Manage Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) rigorously, ensuring design fixes are implemented without disrupting the supply chain or creating inventory exposure.Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Testability (DFT), and Design for Assembly (DFA)across all hardware programmes.Own Bill of Materials (BOM) cost targets and the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) reduction roadmap; lead cost engineering across hardware development.Ensure products meet reliability targets, including Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) objectives; own field failure analysis and the Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) process.Manage certification and compliance for industrial deployment, including CE marking, the Machinery Directive, IEC standards, and relevant regional certifications.Ensure all hardware is designed for industrial-grade durability, including vibration, dust, lint, humidity, and 24/7 duty cycles in factory environments.Lead hardware architecture decisions for next-generation systems Supply Chain & OperationsOversee supply chain operations, including supplier relationships, Contract Manufacturers (CMs), procurement, inventory, and logistics.Lead CM and supplier negotiations, maintain strategic relationships, and develop qualified alternatives to reduce single-source risk.Manage low-to-medium volume manufacturing operations with the rigour of industrial hardware, not consumer scale.Drive process improvements and cost optimisation across manufacturing and operations.Build scalable supply chain infrastructure as Smartex grows internationally.Field Deployment & ServiceOversee the end-to-end deployment model, from shipping a unit to it being live and operational on a customer’s factory floor.Oversee the field service and customer escalation process, including RMA procedures and warranty cost management.Drive down installation cycle time and time-to-resolution for field issues.Skills & Experience8+ years in hardware engineering or operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.Proven track record shipping 3 or more hardware products through the full lifecycle: Proof of Concept (PoC) → Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) → Design Validation Testing (DVT) → Production...