Co-Founder Product & Tech Head

Position : Product & Technology Head (Consumer Device)Location : Mumbai, India (Onsite, In-Office is a Mandatory requirement)Reporting To : Founder & CEOEmployment Type : Full-timeEducation : Graduate / Postgraduate from a top-tier university / college (IIT, NIT, BITS, IISc, IIM, ISB, or reputed global equivalent)Experience : 7–17 years in consumer hardware, product management, or R&D with global exposureAbout the DeviceThe device is a breakthrough consumer product, comparable in form to vapes and e-cigarettes, designed for smokers, ex-smokers, and first-time smokers, with a revolutionary health and safety proposition. Our mission is to disrupt the global smoking industry, valued at over One Trillion US dollars, by offering a first-of-its-kind innovation with the potential to reach tens of millions of consumers worldwide.Role OverviewWe are seeking a superstar Product & Tech Co-Founder who will be the owner of the Device product line, from BOM optimization to ODM coordination, in Shenzhen, quality assurance, and IP filings. This is a strategic and execution-heavy role, requiring both engineering depth and business acumen.The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, thrives on global collaboration, and can take complete ownership of a hardware product from prototype to global commercialization.Key Responsibilities1. Product Ownership & StrategyEnd-to-end ownership of Device product lifecycle (prototype → mass production → upgrades).Translate leadership’s vision into technical and commercial product roadmaps.Manage product cost, performance, and compliance trade-offs.2. ODM / Manufacturing Coordination (Shenzhen)Act as primary liaison between Company HQ (Mumbai) and Shenzhen ODM.Negotiate and finalize BOM decisions, ensuring use of Tier-1 pre-certified cells and components.Oversee manufacturing timelines, QA processes, and inspections.Ensure regulatory-compliant design (CE / UKCA, UN38.3, IEC 62133, PSE, KC, FCC).3. Quality Assurance & TestingDefine quality benchmarks for hardware, batteries, electronics, and packaging.Implement QA protocols (in collaboration with inspection firms like TÜV, SGS).Review and approve test reports from ODM partners.Manage consumer safety testing (EMC, battery transport, electrical safety).4. IP & Regulatory FilingsCoordinate with IP consultants and patent attorneys (India, UK, USA, Japan, Korea).Draft and maintain IP strategy : patents, design registrations, and trademarks.Maintain confidentiality and IP security in ODM and supplier agreements.5. Cross-Functional CollaborationWork with regulatory consultants in UK, USA, Japan, Korea for device classification.Support marketing team with technical inputs for claims, FAQs, and user manuals.Coordinate with finance team for BOM costing, margin analysis, and pricing models.6. Continuous ImprovementTrack competitor devices (vapes, heated tobacco, wellness gadgets) to anticipate trends.Drive iterations to improve Device aesthetics, performance, battery life, and consumer safety.Maintain product roadmap for next-gen devices.Key QualificationsBachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering / Product Design / Materials Science / Electrical / Electronics / Mechanical from a top-tier institute.5–15 years’ experience in product development, consumer devices, or hardware project management.Strong exposure to ODM / OEM collaboration (China / Southeast Asia preferred).Proven track record of taking a hardware product to market.Deep understanding of BOM optimization, quality management, and certifications.Excellent English communication skills (verbal & written).High comfort working across cultures, time zones, and global partners.Personal experience as a smoker or ex-smoker (preferred) – empathy with target users.Location is Mumbai and requires mandatory onsite office attendanceSoft SkillsOwnership mindset : treats product as their own company.Analytical thinker with commercial sense.Negotiation and vendor management skills.Strong eye for detail (QA, compliance, contracts).Ability to thrive in a startup environment – resourceful, agile, accountable.Compensation & BenefitsCompetitive base salary (aligned with senior product / tech leaders in Mumbai).ESOPs / Equity options for long-term wealth creation.Opportunity to travel internationally (Shenzhen, UK, USA, Japan, Korea).Fast-track leadership growth as Company scales globally.Why Join?Be at the forefront of creating a new consumer wellness category at a global levelShape a product that can positively impact tens of millions by offering a safe ritual alternative to smoking.Work directly with the founder in a lean, high-impact team.Build global exposure across China (manufacturing), UK (market), and other key geographies.To Apply : Send your profile to