Tech Lead, Mechanical Engineering (Apparel & Accessories)

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of mechanical engineers responsible for WHOOP accessory and band product development.
• Set technical direction, engineering standards, and development processes for accessory product lines.
• Guide engineers through design reviews, technical challenges, and cross-functional decisions.
• Balance team leadership responsibilities with hands-on engineering contribution.
• Drive mechanical architecture decisions for wearable accessories, ensuring optimal form, fit, function, durability, and manufacturability.
• Create and review high-fidelity CAD models, assemblies, and production drawings.
• Work closely with Industrial Design to translate aesthetic vision into manufacturable mechanical solutions.
• Contribute directly to detailed mechanical design and prototyping.
• Lead mechanical design reviews and drive cross-functional alignment with Product, Electrical Engineering, Operations, and global manufacturing partners to successfully launch new accessories.
• Support engineering validation builds (EVT/DVT/PVT) and manufacturing ramp activities.
• Drive design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) strategies across accessory products.
• Partner with suppliers to explore materials, manufacturing processes, and cost optimization opportunities.
• Support second sourcing and supply chain resilience for key components.
• Define and maintain best practices for mechanical design, documentation, validation, and risk management.
• Up to 20% international travel to contract manufacturers and suppliers.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 8+ years of mechanical design experience in consumer electronics or wearable hardware products.
• 5+ years of working with Tier 1 and 2 contract manufacturers in Asia and North America.
• Key contributor to the launch of 3+ consumer hardware products, with deep understanding of the full product development lifecycle and supplier engagement.
• Experience leading or mentoring engineers in a technical leadership role.
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks or similar) and production-level design practices.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work well within teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical concepts internally to leadership and externally to suppliers and contract manufacturers.
• Deep knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes relevant to wearable accessories, including plastics, elastomers, textiles, and overmolding.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to influence product decisions.
• Strong passion for product development and attention to detail.