Director of Engineering (China)

About Branch:

Branch is shaking up the $46B office furniture industry to create an office experience for the 21st century: easy, affordable and flexible so you can sit down (or stand) and get to work.

We're based in NYC and backed by the investors behind household brands like Carta, Caraway and Peloton. Our founders arrive with experience in partnerships, real estate acquisitions and venture building at leading real estate companies like Oxford Properties, SL Green and Redfin.

We’re an ambitious group of problem solvers innovating across software, design and logistics, and we’re looking for entrepreneurial teammates who like a challenge.

The Role:

The Director of Engineering (Asia) will be instrumental in advancing Branch’s engineering processes and strengthening vendor relationships across China, Southeast Asia, and emerging regions. This role will drive efficiency in new product development by ensuring seamless collaboration between North American teams and global manufacturing partners. Overseeing sourcing, engineering, compliance, and quality control, the Director will implement repeatable processes to enhance product performance, cost optimization, and manufacturability. Leading a small engineering team, they will manage product engineering, packaging, testing, supplier negotiations, and the transition from development to production. This position requires a strategic leader with strong English communication skills, deep industry expertise, and a willingness to travel frequently to ensure best-in-class product execution.

This is an incredible opportunity to shape the engineering function at a fast-growing, category-defining office furniture brand. If you're passionate about building exceptional products and elevating the way people work every day, we’d love to meet you!

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a high-performing engineering team, fostering innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence across Design Engineering, Quality Engineering, Packaging Engineering, and Cost Management.
• Provide strategic direction and performance management, driving team capability development through coaching, training, and process improvements.
• Oversee the end-to-end design, development, and validation of components, raw materials, and finished products, ensuring alignment with business objectives, manufacturability, and cost efficiency.
• Manage technical specifications, functional performance, and problem resolution across all product lifecycles, supporting both manufacturers and internal teams.
• Establish and maintain best practices for engineering, including standardized documentation, knowledge transfer, and risk management strategies.
• Ensure on-time, cost-effective, and high-quality product launches, balancing development timelines, pricing negotiations, and factory capabilities.
• Lead supplier sourcing and relationships, identifying and onboarding new manufacturing partners across China, Southeast Asia, and emerging regions.
• Negotiate and manage vendor agreements, ensuring transparency in pricing, production efficiency, and alignment with Branch’s technical and quality expectations.
• Own product compliance, labeling, and testing by overseeing internal and third-party evaluations, maintaining compliance records, and enforcing quality standards.
• Work cross-functionally to ensure a seamless transition from product development to production, optimizing operations, supply chain, and quality assurance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, addressing customer feedback, refining engineering processes, and enhancing long-term product reliability.
• Serve as the primary technical interface between Branch and manufacturers, supporting new business proposals, vendor nominations, and offshoring initiatives.

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or related field) and 15+ years of experience in engineering, product development, or sourcing within the furniture or related industry.
• Proven leadership experience managing and mentoring engineering teams across multiple disciplines, including Design, Quality, Packaging, and Cost Management.
• Extensive technical expertise in manufacturing processes, material selection, and cost structures for furniture and related products.
• Extensive experience working with North American or international companies, understanding expectations for design, quality, regulatory compliance, and supply chain management.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with a track record of successfully navigating supplier negotiations, risk management, and technical issue resolution.
• Experience in process standardization and product validation, supporting scalable business growth through structured engineering workflows.
• Hands-on experience in product compliance, including knowledge of regulatory standards, third-party testing, and quality assurance methodologies.
• Exceptional communication skills in English, with the ability to effectively liaise with North American leadership, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to travel extensively across China, Southeast Asia, and other international regions to oversee supplier engagement, product development, and factory evaluations.