Vice President Of Engineering

Department: Engineering

Location: Scotts Valley, CA OR Hybrid*

*The VP of Engineering will be asked to be onsite a minimum of one week out of every month.  Preference will be given to candidates who can be onsite full-time.  Universal Audio’s HQ is located at 4585 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, CA.

Universal Audio seeks an experienced and visionary Vice President of Engineering to lead and expand our diverse engineering teams. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of leading, driving, and growing teams across multiple engineering disciplines, including Software Engineering (front-end, back-end, embedded software, ALGO/DSP engineering), Hardware Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, and Quality Engineering (QA).  This role will be pivotal in defining new product introductions, enhancing current software and hardware product offerings, and ensuring high-quality standards across all engineering functions.

Responsibilities:

Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead and manage cross-functional engineering teams, including Software Engineering (front-end, back-end, embedded software, ALGO/DSP engineering), Hardware Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, and Quality Engineering (QA).
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the engineering department.
• Mentor and develop engineering leaders and staff, providing guidance, performance feedback, and professional growth opportunities.
• Drive recruitment efforts to attract top talent and build a high-performing engineering organization.

Strategic Planning and Execution:

• Develop and execute the engineering strategy aligned with the company’s vision and business objectives.
• Define and prioritize engineering goals, projects, and initiatives to support product development and business growth.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and successful delivery of engineering projects on time and within budget.
• Collaborate with other departments, including Product Management, Marketing, Sales, and Operations, to align engineering efforts with market demands and customer needs. 

Product Development and Innovation:

• Lead technical definition, design, and development of new products, ensuring alignment with market trends and customer requirements.
• Enhance existing hardware and software product offerings through continuous innovation and improvement.
• Drive the adoption of best practices and emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge in the industry.
• Ensure that all products meet high-quality standards and regulatory requirements.

Process Improvement and Quality Assurance: 

• Implement and maintain robust engineering processes and methodologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and reliability.
• Establish and enforce quality assurance practices to ensure that all products meet or exceed customer expectations.
• Monitor and analyze key performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions as needed. 

Qualifications: 

• Proven track record of successfully leading and scaling engineering teams across multiple disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience in new product introduction and enhancement of existing product lines.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities.
• Experience with quality assurance processes and methodologies.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies and industry trends.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field. 
• An MBA or advanced technical degree is a plus.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in engineering leadership roles, with a strong background in Software Engineering, Audio/Video Editing Software Development and Hardware Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Industrial Design.

UA Salary Range/Hourly Rate of Pay:  California Salary Range = $238K - $330K

Base salary/hourly rate of pay will be based on the cost of labor for the city/state in which the new hire resides, at the time of hire.

UA offers competitive benefits:  Profit sharing, Medical/Dental/Vision, 401K Safe Harbor Contribution, Stock Options, Flexible time-off (PTO/Sick Leave/Company Holiday Time-off), etc.

UA Mission:  We exist to thrill and inspire music makers everywhere with timeless sound and impeccable craftsmanship, freeing the songs inside and allowing you to sound like the records you love. 

UA Vision:  In the future, music makers around the world will trust Universal Audio as a friend and creative partner, inspiring them to craft amazing records as naturally as playing their first instrument or singing their favorite song. The best home, project, and professional studios will feature most of the UA equipment from floor to ceiling — ranging from audio interfaces and guitar gear to microphones and software — all of it working together to deliver unrivaled sonics and operational symphony. Our customers will eagerly await each new UA product like a hit record or blockbuster movie, trusting that it may spark them to create the best music of their lives. In doing so, UA will become revered worldwide as the way that music is made.

Universal Audio is an equal employment opportunity employer. Our policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. UA also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on these protected categories.