LAI Games is an arcade experience company that connects people with games. Our vision is to reinvent the arcade industry by creating an arcade experience ecosystem that consists of arcade games connected via ArcadeOS system where operators can continuously enhance the gaming experience for their customers through new game titles, gift redemption and social fun. Our team members have the opportunities to contribute across a broad range of unique and innovative projects that connect, engage, and delight players across physical and virtual world.
We are seeking an Engineering Director who is a results-driven leader to lead the end-to-end hardware development of arcade game products from concept through prototyping, production, and release. You will oversee the entire product development lifecycle, ensuring products are designed with cost-efficiency, durability, serviceability, and player experience in mind. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring a balance of deep technical expertise, strong process development, and proven people management skills. You will play a leadership role in aligning engineering with creative design intent and business goals, driving the creation of fun, innovative, and commercially successful arcade experiences.
What You’re Responsible For:
- Lead the Full Development Lifecycle: Oversee concept development, prototyping, testing, design for manufacturing (DFM), and production ramp-up for arcade games.
- Maintain Design Integrity: Ensure that engineering solutions faithfully deliver on the game design vision, player experience, and physical interaction goals.
- Design for Cost, Manufacturing & Serviceability: Champion cost-effective, operator-friendly, and serviceable designs without compromising game quality or player engagement. Work closely with our factory and OEM partners to design for manufacturability and quality.
- Establish Scalable Engineering Processes and Platform: Develop and implement clear engineering processes and a hardware platform solution that support future scalability, promote quality and reuse, and enable effective collaboration and timely delivery.
- Drive Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilize analytics, playtesting data, and field performance metrics to refine game and hardware performance.
- Build & Lead a High-Performing Team: Recruit, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team (mechanical, electrical, firmware, systems) that thrives in a fast-paced, creative environment.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with game designers, product managers, operations, QA, and external vendors to ensure alignment and execution across departments.
- Resource & Project Management: Allocate resources effectively across multiple projects, balancing innovation with delivery timelines and business objectives.
- Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in hardware/software integration for arcade and interactive experiences.
Required Skills and Experience:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 10+ years of engineering experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership or director-level role.
- Proven track record in arcade game development or closely related industries (e.g., amusement, interactive hardware, consumer electronics, robotics).
- Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, and embedded systems development and integration.
- Experience with DFM principles and working with contract manufacturers and suppliers. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to use data to guide engineering decisions.
- Effective communicator and cross-functional collaborator with strong leadership presence. Resourceful, entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for building fun, reliable, and serviceable products.
- Demonstrated ability to scale and develop an engineering organization in a dynamic environment.
- Familiarity with game design principles and player experience testing.
- Experience in rapid prototyping tools, CAD/CAE software, 3D printing and design validation techniques.
- Background in regulatory compliance, safety, and quality assurance.
- Experience managing projects using Agile or hybrid development methodologies.