Head of Hardware Test
SPAN
Location
San Francisco
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Hardware Engineering
Compensation
- $200K – $250K • Offers Equity
This range represents SPAN’s good faith estimate of competitively-priced salary for the role based on national, real-time industry data from companies of a similar growth stage. This range reflects minimum and maximum new hire salaries for the role across US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by location and individual factors including relevant skills, experience, and education or training. This range correlates to the relative level of the candidate we believe we need for the role and may require an adjustment for candidates of a different level.
Your recruiter can tell you more about the specific salary range for the location this role is based during the hiring process.
Our Mission
SPAN is enabling electrification for all ⚡
We are a mission-driven company designing, building, and deploying products that electrify the built environment, reduce carbon emissions, and slow the effects of climate change.
Decarbonization is the process to reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide, from entering our atmosphere.
Electrification is the process of replacing fossil fuel appliances that run on gas or oil with all-electric upgrades for a cleaner way to power our lives.
At SPAN, we believe in:
✔️ Enabling homes and vehicles powered by clean energy
✔️ Making electrification upgrades possible
✔️ Building more resilient homes with reliable backup
✔️ Designing a flexible and distributed electrical grid
The Role
SPAN is seeking a Head of Hardware Test Engineering to lead test strategy and execution across our full product lifecycle—from early prototype development to production scale-up. In this hands-on leadership role, you will shape how we verify and validate the performance, quality, reliability, and code compliance of SPAN’s intelligent home energy products.
You’ll lead a high-impact team of test, reliability, and certification engineers while working closely with product design, firmware, and manufacturing to develop scalable and robust test strategies that support our rapid growth and mission-driven innovation.
In this role, you will be:
Leading test strategy and execution for design validation, product reliability, and compliance certification
Managing a team of high caliber test engineers, strengthening the team by identifying gaps and building the team through mentorship and recruiting
Managing existing test infrastructure and expanding internal capabilities; own decisions regarding in-house vs. outsourced testing through certified labs
Guiding the team through deployment of scalable hardware test system architecture and test automation
Defining mission profiles to validate product performance and reliability across a diversity of likely use models
Managing relationships with and executing tests as appropriate at external labs as appropriate
Fostering an “in it together” culture of collaboration and partnership with design engineers, manufacturing engineers, supply chain managers, certification and compliance engineers, and field service teams
Optimizing for product development and production velocity without compromising product safety, product quality, or product integrity
Establishing appropriate documentation of test requirements, methods, procedures, and reports
About You
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or related Engineering discipline
10+ years of experience in test engineering for electromechanical or electronic systems
3–5+ years in a team leadership or engineering management role
Proven history of building high performance and self-sufficient engineering teams capable of quickly adapting to new address new challenges
Shipped multiple complex electromechanical products
Deep understanding of product validation, functional testing, unit test development, regression testing, environmental testing, and test automation
Hands-on experience with tools like Python
Excellent problem-solving skills and a first-principles approach to debugging complex systems
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interface across engineering and operations teams
Proven track record of scaling test processes and infrastructure in a fast-paced product environment
Bonus Qualifications
Experience in a regulated industry such as energy, automotive, aerospace, or consumer electronics
Experience with high-voltage systems (400–2000VDC, 480VAC)
Familiarity with HALT, HASS, or other accelerated reliability testing methodsExperience working with OSATs or external test vendors
Knowledge of compliance testing and regulatory standards
Hands-on experience with tools like LabVIEW, Chroma, or Advantest platforms
Life at SPAN
Headquartered in San Francisco’s vibrant SoMa neighborhood, we are an eclectic group of creative thinkers who value open communication, teamwork, and a ‘make it happen’ approach to addressing complex challenges.
SPAN embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.
We’re hiring talented individuals who are driven by success and are passionate about shaping the future of renewable energy. If that sounds like you, we’d love for you to consider joining the rapidly growing team at SPAN.
The Perks
⚡ Competitive compensation + equity grants at a well-funded, venture-backed company
⚡ Comprehensive benefits: 100% employee premiums for base plans on medical, dental, vision, with options for additional coverage. Parental leave up to twenty-four (24) week,s depending on eligibility
⚡ Comfortable, sunny office space located near BART and Caltrain public transit
⚡ Strong focus on team building and company culture: Employee Resource Groups, monthly social events, SPANcakes recognition breakfast, lunch, and learns
⚡ Flexible hours, one holiday per month, and flexible time off
Compensation Range: $200K - $250K