At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative hardware products from prototype to retail deployment.
- Company: Join an AI-native platform transforming retail with a dynamic team in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, autonomy in strategy, and direct collaboration with founders.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail tech and create consumer-grade products that make a difference.
- Qualifications: Experience in taking hardware products to mass production and managing supply chains.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About algo1
algo1 is an AI-native platform for retail, built to transform the in-store shopping experience through real-time personalisation and behavioural science. Founded by Simon Franks (LoveFilm, Redbus) and backed by leading venture investors, we are a team of around 40 people building from our London office.
Our customers are retailers and our product is used every day by their shoppers in their stores. That means our hardware lives in a demanding consumer environment and must be consumer-grade in every sense: robust enough for constant real-world use and beautiful enough to capture shoppers' attention and drive interaction.
The Role
Our ambition is to bring AI, interface, and hardware together into one unified, stunning, low-cost solution. We are hiring a full-time Hardware Product Manager to own that hardware end to end, from early prototypes through to large-scale deployment. You will work alongside our Head of Product (B2C) and Head of Product (B2B), who own the software and the two sides of the experience. You will own the physical product that brings that experience to life. You will also work in close partnership with our Chief Innovation Officer and Engineering team based in Pakistan, giving you real technical firepower behind the hardware.
What You Will Own
- The hardware product end to end, from today's early units through retail trials and into large-scale deployment.
- Sourcing and supplier strategy: manufacturer selection, sourcing and management.
- Supply chain scaling, including certification, production ramp-up, logistics, and successful deployment into retail environments.
- External design partners: You will brief, select, and direct industrial design and engineering contractors.
- The supply chain ramp: certification, production scale-up, logistics and getting devices into stores ready to work.
- The central challenge of the role: delivering consumer-grade quality and a premium finish while maintaining low cost and scalability.
What We Are Looking For
- You have taken a physical product from prototype through EVT/DVT/PVT into mass production, ideally past 100,000 units.
- You have delivered hardware products by coordinating external designers, engineering firms, and manufacturers rather than relying on a large in-house team.
- You have sourced and managed ODM and contract manufacturing relationships and successfully navigated supply chain disruptions.
- You have built consumer-grade products for demanding environments such as retail, payments, logistics, mobility, or other high-usage settings. Drop testing, durability requirements, ingress protection, and cleaning regimes are familiar territory.
- You default to commoditised components over custom engineering, and can point to examples where that approach reduced cost, risk, or time to market.
- You are comfortable being the hardware authority inside a fast-moving AI software company.
What You Get
- You will have the opportunity to work directly with the founders and your two product leader peers with the autonomy to define and execute our hardware strategy rather than inherit one.
- Our teams are based out of our London office predominantly. We build together, in person.
- A competitive package.
- The chance to build something from scratch in a category that is ready to be redefined. If you have shipped consumer products that people use, abuse, and rely on every day and they keep working, we would like to hear from you.
Product Manager (Hardware) in London employer: algo1
At Algo1, we pride ourselves on being an innovative employer that fosters a collaborative and dynamic work culture, perfect for those passionate about behavioural AI in the retail sector. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our focus on cutting-edge technology and best practices, providing ample opportunities for professional development while working alongside talented teams in a vibrant environment. Join us in shaping the future of retail with a clean slate approach, where your contributions will have a meaningful impact from day one.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Manager (Hardware) in London
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like algo1!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at algo1 would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at algo1 through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Manager (Hardware) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Manager (Hardware), let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Product Manager (Hardware) position at algo1. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at algo1
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.