Staefa, Switzerland

VP HW Components

Location: Staefa (Switzerland)

Who we are

Sonova is a global leader in innovative hearing care solutions: from personal audio devices and wireless communication systems

to audiological care services, hearing aids and cochlear implants. Sonova operates through four businesses: Hearing Instruments, Audiological Care, Consumer Hearing and Cochlear Implants – and the core brands Phonak, Unitron, AudioNova, Sennheiser (under license) and Advanced Bionics as well as recognized regional brands. The Group’s globally diversified sales and distribution channels serve an ever-growing consumer base in more than 100 countries.

The Role

As VP HW Components you are accountable for designing the strategy and leading end-to-end development and delivery of Sonova hardware components across all business segments. You are responsible for leading the design, development, and release of multiple key hardware components, while partnering closely with SW and Solution Teams to ensure seamless integration into end-to-end solutions. In your role, you ensure the highest standards of quality, reliability, and performance throughout the entire product life cycle — from concept to market delivery and long-term support.

Key responsibilities

HW roadmap and technical leadership

• Define and own the comprehensive HW Components roadmap and options for fully sourced chips.
• Establish architecture and interface standards, select core IP and design approaches, and drive cross-discipline integration with firmware and software.
• Develop and maintain power-management strategies (batteries, PMICs, energy efficiency) and ensure safe, scalable battery lifecycle management.

External partnerships and chip development collaboration

• Lead collaborations with external partners for chip development across analog, digital, and RF domains.
• Negotiate collaboration models, licensing, and IP reuse while protecting company IP and ensuring data/security governance.
• Manage supplier performance, risk, and continuity plans; oversee joint development plans, timelines, and milestones.

Sourcing strategy and device readiness

• Manage the sourcing strategy for HW components, including evaluation of off-the-shelf (fully sourced) vs. custom solutions.
• Oversee supplier selection, contract negotiations, cost targets, and risk mitigation; align with manufacturing and supply chain for scalable ramp.
• Ensure packaging, test, and validation flows support device-ready delivery, including field service considerations and end-of-life planning.

HW development environment and verification

• Lead the establishment and continuous improvement of a world-class HW development and verification environment (architecture, EDA toolchain, IP library, emulation/ prototyping/ testbeds).
• Implement modern verification methodologies (DFT/DFx, formal verification, hardware-in-the-loop), reuse, and automation to boost efficiency and reduce time-to-market.
• Maintain design-for-testability, regression suites, and test data management; ensure reproducibility and traceability across projects.

Maintenance, obsolescence, and sustainment

• Own lifecycle management for existing HW components, ensuring timely obsolescence planning, successor strategies, and migration plans.
• Deliver field support and triage for hardware issues; implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage warranties, reliability data, and product improvements to meet lifecycle targets.

Power, energy efficiency, and safety compliance

• Define and execute battery technology roadmaps, safety certifications (e.g., UL/IEC), regulatory compliance, and end-of-life handling.
• Optimize power management across devices, balancing performance, battery life, thermal constraints, and user experience.
• Establish metrics for energy efficiency, charge/discharge cycles, and thermal performance.

Leadership, organization, and governance

• Build, mentor, and retain high-performing teams; foster a culture of innovation and accountability.
• Develop budgets, headcount plans, and resource allocation; establish program governance and performance KPIs.
• Collaborate with Technology, Solutions, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Legal/IP, and Finance to align on strategy and execution.

Strategy, investments, and M&A collaboration

• Partner with the VP of Technology and SVP Corporate Strategy to identify and evaluate potential investments, joint ventures, and M&A opportunities that enhance HW capabilities.
• Lead due diligence on target technologies, suppliers, and integration plans; build business cases, synergy estimates, and integrate roadmaps; drive post-close execution when applicable.
• Present recommendations on executive leadership and ensure alignment with multi-year strategic objectives.

Compliance, risk management, and quality

• Ensure adherence to regulatory, safety, cybersecurity, and industry standards; develop and monitor quality metrics, reliability targets, and supplier risk controls.
• Implement robust risk assessment processes for new technologies, supply disruptions, and packaging/ manufacturing changes.

What We Are Looking For

Education

• Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field. MBA will be a plus.
• Project Management. EMBA or equivalent (for good Knowledge of Finance Controlling, and Management) will be a plus.

Work experience

• 15+ years in hardware product development with progressive leadership roles (Sr. Director/VP level or equivalent) overseeing analog, digital, and RF domains.
• Multi Project Management.
• Process Development.

Personal competencies

• Robust leadership and managerial abilities.
• Deep interest in emerging technologies and scientific advancements.
• Effective stakeholder management skills.
• Proficient in developing individuals and teams.
• Highly inquisitive, self-driven, and disciplined.
• Organized, methodical, and solution focused.
• Exceptional flexibility.
• Tenacious and adept at working under pressure.
• Capable of motivating and inspiring teams across the organization.

Social competencies

• Skillful in establishing and nurturing cooperative business relationships.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and negotiation abilities.
• Outgoing with a can-do attitude.

Leadership Competencies

• Leadership proficiency in cross-functional and cross-cultural teams.
• Proactive, decisive, with an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Solid influencing skills.
• Ability to inspire and lead a global team of technical domain experts.

Professional Competencies

• Solution oriented and proactive mindset.
• Strategic partnership for business, stakeholder.
• Ability to understand, interpret and explain complex projects and resource situations.
• Ability to give presentations to a wide spectrum of audiences.

Why Join Us

Sonova is an equal opportunity employer.

We team up. We grow talent. We collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds to win with the best team in the marketplace. We guarantee every person equal treatment in regard to employment and opportunity for employment, regardless of a candidate’s ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or marital status, gender, genetic identity, age, disability or any other legally protected status.