About this role
MAGIC AI is building the world’s first AI health coach and personal trainer, powered by proprietary computer vision and world class athlete led content.
MAGIC AI pioneered intelligent mirror training, enabling real time form correction, rep counting and live feedback. The company is backed by leading UK and US investors and has been recognised by Time Magazine and Fast Company for innovation.
Role Summary
This is a senior execution role (part time), based primarily in Shenzhen, responsible for turning clear product and commercial direction into reliable, scalable, high quality hardware.
The role does not own the hardware roadmap or COGS targets. Instead, it acts as a high trust execution partner to Product and Ops, reducing risk, improving quality, and removing operational drag.
The role exists to:
Execute hardware strategy with precisionReduce cognitive load on senior leadershipStrengthen supply chain resilienceEnsure hardware never becomes a bottleneck to product, software, or commercial goals
Reporting & Interfaces
Reports functionally into OperationsWorks closely with:Head of Ops (COGS, suppliers, margins, payments)Product leadership (hardware roadmap inputs and feasibility)Engineering and Product teams (delivery readiness)Interfaces daily with factories, suppliers and component manufacturers in ChinaWhat This Role Owns
Hardware Execution (Primary Accountability):Execute against agreed hardware direction and specificationsOwn day to day factory relationships and on site executionInspect, QA and sign off samples prior to production runsResolve defects, quality issues and production risks quicklyEnsure consistent fit, finish, durability and customer experienceProduce clear, written QA and shipment reports in plain English
Quality, Defects & Warranty (Execution Ownership):Execute QA processes on the groundDiagnose hardware failures and repairs to identify root causes to drive upstream quality improvements.Propose fixes and preventative measuresEscalate material risks early with options and recommendationsOverall defect rates and warranty outcomes sit with Ops, but execution and diagnosis sit here.
Supply Chain Resilience & Risk Reduction:Identify and reduce single points of failure across components and suppliersEnsure appropriate use of dual sourcing where possibleMap and surface supply chain risks before they become issuesPresent mitigation options clearly to leadershipThe role is expected to anticipate risk, not just respond to failure.
Supplier & Factory Management:Manage day to day supplier and factory relationships in ChinaSupport negotiations with data, options and on the ground insightEnsure factories are aligned on specifications, timelines and quality expectationsAct as MAGIC AI’s eyes and ears on the groundFinal commercial decisions remain with Ops, but this role materially improves decision quality.
Hardware Changes & Autonomy:Early stage: changes to suppliers, components or BOM require alignment with Ops and ProductOver time: increasing autonomy for minor component substitutions and execution decisionsExpected to bring Option A / Option B recommendations, not just problemsJudgement, coachability and learning velocity matter as much as experience.
What This Role Does Not Own
To be explicit:
Does not own the hardware roadmapDoes not own COGS targets or margin accountabilityDoes not make unilateral strategic hardware decisionsThose sit with Product and Ops respectively. This role enables both to succeed.
Location & Travel
Based primarily in ShenzhenOccasional travel to London HQ as requiredExpectation is limited UK travel, not frequent commutingRequirements
Experience executing consumer hardware or consumer technology productsStrong on the ground experience working with factories in ChinaMandarin fluency strongly preferredDeep practical understanding of hardware components (cameras, boards, wiring, displays, sensors)Comfortable operating at extreme levels of detail and marginal gainsStrong written documentation and reporting disciplineCommercial awareness and confidence in supplier discussionsCoachable, pragmatic, and calm under pressureAble to operate autonomously while knowing when to escalate
What Success Looks Like
Hardware issues are anticipated, not surfaced lateQA reports are clear, actionable and trustedFactories are aligned and predictableSupply chain risk steadily reducesProduct and Ops spend less time firefighting hardware issuesHardware execution becomes a quiet strength of the businessBenefits
Competitive salary.An impact from day one. Our business is scaling by the day. You'll work on ambitious projects, and your contribution will significantly impact the success of MAGIC AI now and in the future.