Director of Product Development & Innovation - Electric Shaving Systems

Director of Product Development & Innovation — Precision Grooming & Blade Systems

About Freebird

Freebird is on a mission to help people look and feel their best — starting with the smoothest, safest, easiest shave possible. Our flagship product — the FlexSeries — is a top-rated electric head shaver trusted by over one million customers.

Now, we’re building the next generation of shaving tools — raising the bar across cutting performance, comfort, innovation, and user experience. That includes everything from blade systems and ergonomic attachments to motors, waterproofing, and battery design.

We’re a lean, fast-moving team — and we’re looking for a hands-on leader to own product development and innovation from end to end.

About the Role

We’re hiring a Director of Product Development & Innovation to lead the strategy, development, and execution of our shaving hardware roadmap — including electric shavers, blade systems, grooming attachments, and performance-driven improvements to our core product line.

This is a foundational leadership role. You’ll own the product function at Freebird and collaborate with internal teams and expert partners across engineering, industrial design, sourcing, compliance, and testing. Your goal is simple but ambitious:
Create the best shaving experience on the market.

This is not a packaging or branding role — it’s a product innovation and performance role focused on delivering truly superior tools and technology to millions of customers.

What You’ll Do

✂️ Shaving Systems & Grooming Innovation

• Lead development of rotary shaving heads, blade foils, trimmers, and attachments
• Improve performance, comfort, safety, and longevity of cutting systems and attachments
• Drive technical improvements across motors, battery life, waterproofing (IPX7+), and ergonomics
• Evaluate and source high-quality materials and components (e.g., blades, gear systems, motors)
• Innovate across design, structure, and engineering to push competitive advantages

⚙️ End-to-End Product Development Ownership

• Own the entire product development process — from concept to production to iteration
• Manage external partners in mechanical engineering, ID, structural packaging, and sourcing
• Create clear product briefs, feature specs, timelines, and testing protocols
• Ensure every product meets the highest standards of durability, quality, and user experience
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Creative, CX, Marketing, and Ops to ensure alignment

🔬 R&D, Innovation Pipeline, & IP

• Identify and explore new technologies, materials, and design improvements
• Build and manage an ongoing pipeline of product innovation
• Support patent strategy by contributing to proprietary design and functionality worth protecting
• Stay ahead of grooming trends, competitive features, and new technologies

🧪 Testing, Validation & Post-Launch Iteration

• Set up structured, real-world testing cycles for blades, attachments, waterproofing, battery, and motor performance
• Own product validation — including prototyping, sampling, user testing, and performance benchmarking
• Monitor customer reviews, return rates, and usage data to drive ongoing product improvements
• Maintain confidence in every product launched — from sharpness and skin safety to charging and durability

✅ Compliance & Quality

• Ensure all products meet international safety and compliance standards (e.g., CE, FCC, ROHS)
• Own documentation and certification processes for regulated markets
• Build in QA and QC processes with factory partners for consistent product excellence

Requirements

• 7–12+ years of experience in product development, hardware engineering, or innovation — ideally in electric grooming, personal care devices, or small consumer electronics
• Deep knowledge of shaving systems: rotary heads, foil blades, trimmers, cutting mechanisms
• Strong mechanical or product engineering foundation (you understand how the product actually works)
• Experience leading external partners across design, sourcing, manufacturing, and QA
• Skilled at balancing performance, cost-efficiency, and speed-to-market
• Clear communicator, strong problem solver, and obsessive about customer satisfaction

Bonus If You Have

• Worked with or competed a