Director of Hardware

At CoMind, we are developing a non-invasive neuromonitoring technology that will result in a new era of clinical brain monitoring. In joining us, you will be helping to create cutting-edge technologies that will improve how we diagnose and treat brain disorders, ultimately improving and saving the lives of patients across the world.

This is a defining leadership role at an exciting stage of CoMind’s growth. You will inherit a talented multidisciplinary engineering team and have the mandate to shape how the hardware function operates — from technical standards and development practices to team structure and long-term capability. You will:

• Establish best-in-class hardware development processes and quality standards across mechanical, electronics, and opto-mechanical disciplines.

• Build and develop a high-performing team, identifying capability gaps and creating a bench of talent for future product programmes.

• Work closely with the Systems Architect, Technical SMEs, and Programme Management to drive delivery across CoMind’s product pipeline.

• Take translational research outputs through the full development lifecycle into commercial, regulated medical device products.

This role leads the hardware engineering function at CoMind, with responsibility for building and sustaining a high-performing team of mechanical, electronics, and opto-mechanical engineers. As a functional leader, you will own the engineering capability, standards, processes, and tools that underpin CoMind’s medical device development programmes.

Working in close partnership with the Systems Architect, Technical Subject Matter Experts, and Programme Management, you will ensure the hardware engineering function is resourced, structured, and equipped to deliver across CoMind’s product pipeline. You will set and maintain the technical standards and development processes that govern how the team works, ensuring alignment with medical device regulatory requirements throughout the product lifecycle.

The ideal candidate brings a strong track record in medical device product design and development, with hands-on experience across the full development lifecycle. You will combine deep technical credibility with the people and organisational skills needed to influence decisions at both programme and organisational level.

At CoMind, all team members work at least 4 days per week in the office, plus a flexible work-from-home day. This role is based in our London (Kings Cross) office.

• Team Leadership & Talent Development

  • Lead, mentor, and develop the hardware engineering team — mechanical, electronics, and opto-mechanical engineers — setting high standards of delivery and continuous professional improvement.

  • Identify and address skills gaps across the function; build a bench of talent for future programme needs.

  • Provide direct line management, coaching, and performance development for all direct reports.

  Functional Ownership & Standards

  • Own hardware engineering capability — ensuring the function has the right people, skills, tools, and processes for project delivery.

  • Set and maintain operational, technical, and quality standards. Define and enforce best practices and methodologies; ensure work meets functional quality benchmarks.

  • Lead the appropriate adoption of AI tools and technologies during product development, where they can demonstrably improve quality or velocity.

  • Drive continuous process improvement and stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and methods within the healthcare industry.

  Regulatory Compliance

  • Ensure the engineering team maintains alignment with CoMind’s Quality Management System and medical device regulatory requirements (FDA, ISO 13485, IEC 60601) throughout development.

  Cross-Functional Delivery

  • Work with the Systems Architect, SMEs, and Programme Management to enable effective programme delivery. Structure cross-functional collaboration, resolve technical or resource bottlenecks, and ensure the hardware team delivers against project needs.

  • Take outputs from the translational optical research team and data science team through the development process and into commercial products.

  • Represent the engineering team at product steering meetings and with senior management, customers, and commercial partners as required.

  Strategic Planning

  • Provide strategic and tactical planning input to ensure adequate engineering resources are available to deliver business goals and objectives.

  • Support development from concept through to product realisation, including industrialisation and scale-up.

• Essential

  • Substantial experience of new product development within a regulated environment, including the medical device industry — with clear progression through the full product lifecycle from concept to commercialisation.

  • At least 5 years in a leadership role within a complex, multidisciplinary product development environment, ideally including medical devices.

  • A track record of delivering complex medical devices incorporating optoelectronic systems, real-time embedded systems, SoCs, and safety-critical components.

  • A rigorous understanding of the application of regulatory standards (FDA, ISO 13485, and IEC 60601) to product lifecycle processes.

  • Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

  Technical Experience

  • High-speed mixed-signal analogue and digital electronics

  • Ultra-low noise electronic design

  • Embedded RTOS microcontrollers and microprocessors; safety-critical embedded systems

  • CAD modelling, FEA, tolerance analysis, and material selection

  • IEC and UL safety and compliance standards including EMC

  • PCBA manufacture, test, and qualification within a regulated environment

  • FMEA techniques and reliability / thermal engineering

  • High-speed FPGA design

  • Optical laser interferometry

  • Optical biophysical measurements and signal processing

  • Schematic design and component layout for low-noise electronics

• Company equity plan so all employees share in the success of the company

• Salary-sacrifice pension scheme

• Private medical, dental and vision insurance (medical history disregarded)

• Group life assurance at 4x annual income

• Comprehensive mental health support, including unlimited access to 1:1 sessions with trained professionals

• Unlimited holiday allowance (+ bank holidays) and one week of remote working per quarter

• Lunch voucher (£10) every day for JustEat and free dinner on those days where you need to work later

• Twice weekly deliveries of fresh fruit and an extensive selection of snacks and drinks

• YuLife subscription, allowing you to turn your daily steps and meditation into discounts at a range of stores
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