Director, Product Quality

About the role

The Director of Product Quality at WHOOP defines and executes the end-to-end quality strategy for both Hardware and Accessories & Apparel, owning new product introduction, launch readiness, and product lifecycle evolution. This role drives disciplined risk management and robust validation to ensure every product reaches members with exceptional performance and reliability. The position builds and leads a world-class Product Quality organization that establishes the operating mechanisms governing quality from concept through post-launch changes. You will partner deeply with Engineering, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, Reliability, and Field Quality to embed quality into the product development process. The leader will own product change management, establishing governance and quality decision gates that ensure changes are properly assessed and deployed. This role defines quality metrics and executive reporting to provide visibility into launch readiness and continuous improvement opportunities. The Director will coach and develop high-performing quality managers and engineers while fostering a culture of accountability and cross-functional collaboration.

Key facts

Location: USA

Engagement: Full-time

Willingness and ability to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally to partners, suppliers, and contract manufacturers

What you'll do

Define and execute the Product Quality strategy across Hardware and Accessories & Apparel, spanning New Product Introduction (NPI), launch readiness, product change management, and product lifecycle quality.

Lead Product Quality across the development lifecycle by driving quality planning, risk management, validation & verification, and manufacturing readiness in partnership with Engineering, Supplier Quality, Reliability, Operations, and Manufacturing Engineering.

Own Product Change Management by establishing the operating model, governance, and quality decision gates (e.g., OK2PVT, OK2Ship) that ensure engineering changes are appropriately assessed, validated, approved, and deployed throughout the product lifecycle.

Establish Product Quality operating mechanisms, quality metrics, and executive reporting that provide visibility into launch readiness, product quality, organizational performance, and opportunities for continuous improvement.

Build and develop a high-performing Product Quality organization across Hardware and A&A, coaching managers and engineers while fostering a culture of accountability, technical excellence, and cross-functional collaboration.

Partner with Quality leadership peers to build and own a world-class closed loop QMS to effectively collect field performance data and feed it into the product development process.

Serve as the Product Quality leader across the organization, influencing product strategy and driving alignment across Engineering, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, Operations, and Field Quality to deliver exceptional member experiences.

Demonstrate strong commitment to embracing and leveraging AI tools in day-to-day tasks, ensuring AI-assisted work aligns with the same high-quality standards as personal contributions.

Apply statistical quality methods, including SPC, and quality systems expertise such as DFMEA, PFMEA, CTQ, DOE, root cause analysis, CAPA/8D, and Design for Manufacturability.

Utilize risk management and validation & verification practices to guide product readiness and support scalable quality systems for Hardware and A&A portfolios.

Collaborate with global suppliers and contract manufacturing partners throughout product development and launch to ensure quality standards are met.

Translate complex technical and operational data into clear priorities and business decisions through excellent communication, analytical, and systems-thinking skills.

Influence executive stakeholders and drive cross-functional alignment across Engineering, Operations, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, and Field Quality in fast-paced environments.

Ensure products are manufactured with robust processes and that quality gates such as OK2PVT and OK2Ship are rigorously applied.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical discipline; Master's degree preferred.

15+ years of experience leading Product Quality, NPI Quality, Manufacturing Quality, or Product Engineering organizations supporting high-volume consumer electronics, wearables, consumer products, or similarly complex hardware, including significant people leadership experience.

Demonstrated success defining quality strategy and building scalable operating mechanisms that improve product readiness, launch quality, and organizational performance.

Deep expertise in quality systems and methodologies including DFMEA, PFMEA, CTQ, SPC, MSA, DOE, root cause analysis, CAPA/8D, Design for Manufacturability, and statistical quality methods.

Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and drive cross-functional alignment across Engineering, Operations, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, and external partners in fast-paced environments.

Experience working with global suppliers and contract manufacturing partners throughout product development and product launch.

Excellent communication, analytical, and systems-thinking skills with the ability to translate complex technical and operational data into clear priorities and business decisions.

Strong commitment to embracing and leveraging AI tools in day-to-day tasks, ensuring AI-assisted work aligns with the same high-quality standards as personal contributions.

This role is based in the WHOOP office located in Boston, MA. The successful candidate must be prepared to relocate if necessary to work out of the Boston, MA office.

Practical notes

Williness and ability to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally to partners, suppliers, and contract manufacturers

The successful candidate must be prepared to relocate if necessary to work out of the Boston, MA office.

Equal employment opportunity

WHOOP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-verify