Product Development Lead

You in This Role. You’ve built your career bringing hardware products to life—from early concepts through real-world performance—and what sets you apart is your ability to keep complex development efforts moving forward without losing structure or momentum.

You don’t just manage projects—you own them. You bring clarity to ambiguity, prioritize effectively across multiple workstreams, and ensure nothing stalls. You’re equally comfortable delegating to a team as you are stepping in hands-on to solve problems, validate performance, or push a project across the finish line.

You operate at the intersection of engineering, supply chain, and real-world product use. You understand how field performance, testing data, and component constraints translate into product decisions. Teams rely on you to connect the dots, drive alignment, and deliver results.

You are organized, technically credible, and execution-focused. You thrive in fast-moving environments where processes are still being built, and you take pride in creating structure where it doesn’t yet exist.

A Day in the Life

Every day will look different, but you’ll spend your time:

• Managing and prioritizing multiple active product development projects simultaneously
• Delegating work across Product Development Specialists while maintaining full visibility into progress
• Working cross-functionally with Engineering, Procurement, and Product Application (field) teams
• Translating field feedback and testing data into clear product improvements
• Coordinating BOM changes, component substitutions, and supplier-related updates
• Overseeing structured testing, including both bench and real-world validation
• Identifying and removing bottlenecks to keep development efforts moving
• Balancing speed and execution with proper validation and quality standards
• Stepping in hands-on when needed to troubleshoot, test, or drive progress
• Building structure, processes, and systems to improve development efficiency

What You’ll Do

• Own and organize all active product development efforts across multiple product lines
• Lead and coordinate Product Development Specialists to ensure execution and accountability
• Establish clear prioritization across competing projects and deadlines
• Drive cross-functional collaboration between Engineering, Procurement, and Field teams
• Own the validation, standardization, and implementation of product changes
• Develop and implement structured testing and validation processes
• Translate real-world product performance into actionable development decisions
• Manage BOM updates, component changes, and supply chain-driven adjustments
• Support new product development as well as ongoing product improvements and revisions
• Build scalable processes for managing product changes from field feedback through production

Must-Have Skills

• Hardware product development experience (electronics strongly preferred)
• Strong project/program management and prioritization skills
• Experience leading or coordinating cross-functional teams
• Ability to manage multiple fast-moving projects simultaneously
• Experience with BOM management, component changes, and substitutions
• Strong cross-functional communication and alignment skills
• Ability to translate testing data and field feedback into product improvements
• Hands-on problem-solving mindset with willingness to engage at the execution level
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-changing environments
• Strong organizational skills with a focus on execution and accountability

Nice to Have

• Experience in the drone or FPV industry
• Familiarity with RF systems, motors, batteries, or camera systems
• Experience working with overseas manufacturers and suppliers
• Hands-on product testing, prototyping, or build experience
• Experience with QA/QC, validation, and testing processes
• Background in consumer electronics, robotics, or similar hardware industries

Example Projects

• Validating motor, ESC, and battery systems against performance targets
• Managing camera revisions, including sensor upgrades and housing improvements
• Replacing discontinued components across multiple SKUs
• Supporting development of new drone platforms or subsystems
• Converting field-reported issues into validated and implemented product changes

Challenges in This Role

• Operating in an environment where processes are still being built
• Managing multiple fast-moving projects with competing priorities
• Coordinating across teams without direct authority
• Balancing speed of execution with proper validation and testing

Travel & Work Structure

• Hybrid role with some in-person collaboration required
• Occasional travel for manufacturer visits, testing, or industry events

What You’ll Gain

• Ownership of the product development function and its structure
• Direct impact on real, performance-driven hardware products
• Opportunity to build systems and processes from the ground up
• High visibility across engineering, product, and leadership teams
• A critical role in shaping product quality, performance, and speed to market

This is a hands-on, high-impact role for someone who thrives in ambiguity, drives execution, and wants to build a scalable product development engine while working on real-world hardware products.

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Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision
• 401(k)
• Unlimited PTO
• Catered lunches for all employees every day of the week
• Employee product discounts

About Us

Unusual Machines is a U.S.-based drone and drone parts company focused on the small and First-Person View (FPV) segments of the drone market. Our brands - Rotor Riot and Fat Shark - are two of the most respected names in FPV and have helped shape the industry through e-commerce, product development, and a deep connection with the pilot community.

We’re expanding into enterprise and defense - bringing our obsessive attention to performance, design, and U.S.-based manufacturing into high-stakes environments like search and rescue, STEM education, and military innovation. With several of our products already approved by the Defense Innovation Unit, we’re solving procurement issues for customers who demand speed, agility, and compliance.

If you love working at the intersection of community, content, and cutting-edge technology, you’ll feel right at home here.

We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

Unusual Machines participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

We unfortunately cannot offer visa sponsorship for this position.