Head of Concept Engineering

Head of Concept Engineering

About the Team:

The Concept team is responsible for leading the development all prototype devices that enable the experience of new hardware and software to ultimately drive the Device roadmap in the right direction.  The team will work quickly to deliver both form factor and functional devices integrating mechanical, electrical and firmware. 

About the Orb: 

Worldcoin's launch requires a "Proof-of-Personhood": a way to determine someone is human (not a bot) and hasn't already claimed their free share of Worldcoin. This is why we developed the Orb.

The Orb is an advanced biometric imaging device, custom-designed for Worldcoin's launch. Orbs are deployed to a global network of operators, who use the device to onboard new Worldcoin users. During this onboarding, the Orb will generate a hash of each user's iris and submit it to Worldcoin's trustless backend (built on Ethereum). For more details on how the Orb is part of Worldcoin's privacy-preserving approach to Proof-of-Personhood, see How the Launch Works.

The Orb solves a fierce combination of engineering and UX challenges, centered around image quality, security, and ease-of-use. Each device has an advanced iris imaging system, designed to work consistently across real-world lighting conditions. An additional suite of sensors feeds into an onboard fraud detection system, enabling use in unsecured environments. These systems are combined in a sleek industrial design with a simple, minimalist user interface.

About the Opportunity:

As the Head of Concept in the Device org, you will be responsible for delivering the necessary prototype devices the company needs to make informed decisions.  This will require mechanical and electrical design, as well as firmware integration.  You will have the opportunity to design and build out a new Concept lab to assist with the mechanical and electrical fabrication of the devices and select the necessary equipment to fabricate in house. 

In this role you will: 

• Lead the team of other Mechanical and Electrical engineers in the rapid design and fabrication of necessary prototype parts to integrate into cosmetic and functional prototype devices
• Lead the Mechanical design and fabrication of all parts and mechanisms necessary for each Device
• Lead the Electrical design and fabrication of custom board, camera and other sensor placement. 
• Lead the optical design including liquid lens development, optical filter design, actuated polarizer design and 3d TOF sensors, thermal, IR and RGB cameras as necessary to explore new sensors.
• Support the prototype needs across Industrial Design, Product, Product Design
• Optimize for speed and deliver the necessary fidelity of the prototype to enable the right product decision at the company
• Capable of producing not only functional models but highly cosmetic ones to enable design decisions. 

About You: 

• Attention to detail and model making
• You enjoy and are skilled at leading high performing teams
• You care a great deal about good design
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in an engineering or design related discipline
• Enjoy a fast paced environment
• Care more about outcome than process
• Enjoy solving hard problems and can turn incomplete, conflicting, or ambiguous inputs into action plans
• Experience operating autonomously and leading large-scale efforts across multiple teams and functions, with stakeholders in different disciplines across time zones
• You are able to handle projects requiring both internal and externally fabricated components. 
• You look around the corners to anticipate potential blockers and navigate effectively
• Experience working on complex hardware and software integrated products
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, build strong relationships with technical and non-technical stakeholders and teams around the organization in order to drive alignment within the organization
• Ability to clearly articulate & read, write and speak in English (company language)

Optimally 10+ years of relevant Design leadership experience in Mechanical, Electrical and Optical products ranging from concept

What we offer:

• An open and collaborative office space in downtown SF 
• Unlimited PTO  
• Monthly Phone Reimbursement or a company device
• Daily DoorDash credit for in-office meals 
• Top-tier medical, dental, vision insurance 
• 401k + employer match program 

The reasonably estimated salary for this role at TFH in San Francisco ranges from $300,000 - $350,000, plus a competitive long term incentive package, and may include variable compensation. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, TFH offers a wide range of best in class, comprehensive and inclusive employee benefits for this role including healthcare, dental, vision and mental health benefits, a 401(k) plan and match, life insurance, flexible time off, commuter benefits, professional development stipend and much more!