Director, Hardware Engineering

About the Role

Cricut is looking for a Director of Hardware Engineering who understands what it takes to make great products. This individual will be technically competent, passionate about the consumer experience, and proficient at product development. You will develop a collaborative and highly competent engineering team where creativity and passion can thrive. As a leader, you will be involved in details while maintaining a broader perspective to identify and mitigate risks. Success requires a high performer with a rare skill set who thrives in a fast-paced environment, thinks critically, leads through intellect, and partners across functions to drive change.

Responsibilities

• Help set and manage priorities among competing projects.
• Hire, develop, and mentor engineers and project managers into high-performing teams that embody Cricut’s culture.
• Mentor the team in product development aspects: Risk Assessment, Project Planning, Troubleshooting, Root Cause Identification, and Incident Management.
• Assist in developing the technology and product roadmap.
• Participate in identifying and evaluating new manufacturing partners.
• Assist in the development of annual budgets.
• Partner with Industrial Design, UX, Product Management, Software, and other teams to design and develop new products.
• Work closely with Product Management to align on user needs, product objectives, and development status.
• Provide technical input on new and evolving product opportunities.
• Research and contribute ideas for new opportunities to help people lead creative lives.
• Maintain a database of product and tooling costs as a benchmark for future development.
• Help project teams resolve critical issues and develop alternative actions to maintain schedules.
• Be involved in prototyping, pre-production, and mass production of new or transferred products.
• Cultivate Cricut Values within the engineering team and throughout the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering strongly preferred) with working knowledge of electro-mechanical systems.
• Strong technical aptitude and hands-on management experience of a large team.
• Proven track record as a team leader on complex projects, ideally in consumer product development.
• 5+ years in project management related to product development.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project and MS Excel; Minitab highly desirable.
• Ability to understand, apply, and mentor engineers in statistical process control methods (e.g., CPKs, T-Tests, X-Bar/R charts, DOEs).

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) match.
• Generous PTO.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Yearly lifestyle stipend to support wellness and passions.
• Exclusive employee discounts.

Schedule

This role is in-office at least 4-5 days per week. Relocation assistance is available for this position.

What We’re Looking For

• You move with urgency—starting, learning, and adjusting without waiting for perfect clarity.
• You set high standards, take ownership, and deliver quality work.
• You stay focused amid fast-paced environments, prioritizing what matters most.
• You collaborate effectively, elevating others with clear communication and low-ego energy.
• You embrace AI as part of your toolkit to accelerate innovation and problem-solving.