Hardware Product Manager (Fixed Term)

About the company

Familiar Machines is a robotics startup developing emotionally intelligent robots aimed at supporting aging-in-place and health and quality-of-life applications.

About this role

About Us Familiar Machines & Magic (FM&M) is building the Physical AI platform for human connection, beginning with Familiars — physically embodied AI systems designed to form long-term, emotionally intelligent relationships with people. Our mission is to create artificial life to build a more caring world. Founded by industry leaders from iRobot, Outrider, and Amazon, our team has collectively deployed over 50 million consumer robots worldwide and led advances in navigation, machine learning, and human-robot interaction. Familiar Machines & Magic is building a mission-driven team of high performers, anchored in our unique Culture Principles and Ways of Working. Position Overview We are seeking a Hardware Product Manager for a temporary, fixed-term engagement running asap through approximately October 2026, joining our team in the definition, design, and scaling of emotionally engaging, life-like robotic companions. In this role, you will coordinate across hardware, software, AI, design, and research teams to refine and advance the end-to-end product vision. This is a unique opportunity to help shape a groundbreaking new category of consumer product with meaningful human impact at a critical moment of product development. The right candidate is passionate about innovation, execution, and culture-forward workplaces and thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. What You'll Do - Own and maintain the product requirements document (PRD) for the Familiar's hardware and system-level experience – keeping the requirements current, resolving open requirements and tradeoffs, and translating the product vision into concrete, buildable specifications that deliver on customer needs and business goals - Track milestones, dependencies, and decisions across cross-functional teams, surfacing risks early and keeping stakeholders aligned - Support the team in making product decisions related to our prototype builds, often requiring a quick turnaround - Engage with external vendors and build partners, such as in packaging design, to communicate vision, provide feedback, and incorporate results - Ground product decisions in customer needs and competitive context, translating user insight into requirements - Steward the physical product experience: form factor, tactile and life-like qualities, and bonding - Work closely with teams across Hardware Engineering, Program Management, Design, and Research What You'll Have - Enthusiasm for our vision of a world populated by beneficial robots - Experience working with cross-functional teams through ambiguity to launch innovative, customer-facing products - Strong system-level thinking and analytical and strategic thinking skills - Proficiency in Google Workspace and product management tools - 7+ years of product management experience shipping hardware and consumer products; experience in AI and/or robotics is a plus What You'll Need to Succeed - Demonstrated ability to work in fast-paced, dynamic environments with shifting priorities - Exceptional written and verbal communication skills - A passion for building technology that enhances human experiences and relationships, and excitement to innovate - A bias for action and ownership; you make things happen - Collaborative mindset and ability to build trust across diverse disciplines Compensation and Employment Terms The annualized salary range for this fixed-term role is $200,000 to $250,000, prorated for the agreed time commitment and the length of the engagement. Final compensation depends on experience and the time commitment set at hire. This is a temporary, fixed-term position. You will be a W2 employee of Familiar Machines & Magic, paid through our regular payroll with standard tax withholding. The role is not eligible for FM&M's employee benefits programs, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), equity, and company paid time off. Benefits required by law, including Massachusetts earned sick time, still apply. This is a fixed-term engagement and is not expected to convert to a permanent role. PLEASE NOTE: WE HAVE OFTEN HIRED THOSE THAT DO NOT MEET THE EXACT REQUIREMENTS BUT THAT WE FOUND TO BE A GREAT CULTURE FIT AND HAVE THE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE ROLE. PLEASE CONSIDER APPLYING IF THIS IS YOU. FAMILIAR MACHINES & MAGIC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE ARE COMMITTED TO FOSTERING A DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE, AND EQUITABLE WORKPLACE WHERE ALL INDIVIDUALS ARE VALUED AND RESPECTED. EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS ARE BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS, MERIT, AND BUSINESS NEEDS, WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY, VETERAN STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PROTECTED STATUS.