Hardware Engineer
Weekly Rate: $8,500/week
Overview
The Hardware Integration Specialist handles camera selection, mounting solutions, and field deployment procedures. This role ensures hardware is properly configured, maintained, and optimized for varying venue conditions while meeting operational requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Camera Systems and Configuration - Select and configure optimal camera systems for squat tracking including sensor selection, lens specifications, and mounting angles. Ensure cameras meet requirements for resolution, frame rate, and low-light performance across diverse venue conditions.
Network Infrastructure Design - Plan and implement reliable network architectures that support real-time video streaming with minimal latency. Design redundant network paths and optimize bandwidth utilization for multiple concurrent video streams.
Power and Environmental Systems - Design efficient power distribution systems with appropriate backup solutions for critical components. Ensure all hardware meets IP64 environmental protection standards for both indoor and outdoor deployments.
Mounting and Rigging Solutions - Create secure, adjustable mounting systems that accommodate various venue configurations while maintaining optimal camera angles. Design quick-release mechanisms that enable rapid deployment and adjustment during event setup.
Cable Management and Safety - Implement professional cable management solutions that ensure athlete and staff safety while maintaining signal integrity. Design systems that minimize setup complexity and prevent accidental disconnections during events.
Hardware Procurement and Vendor Relations - Source equipment efficiently through established vendor relationships, negotiating favorable terms for bulk purchases. Manage hardware inventory and coordinate logistics for global event deployments.
Installation and Deployment Procedures - Develop standardized setup processes that enable consistent sub-4-hour installation times regardless of venue. Create modular deployment kits with all necessary tools and components for rapid field installation.
Calibration and Diagnostic Tools - Design calibration procedures and tools that ensure consistent system accuracy across all deployments. Implement remote diagnostic capabilities that enable troubleshooting without on-site presence.
Maintenance and Lifecycle Management - Establish preventive maintenance schedules and spare parts inventories to ensure operational continuity. Plan hardware refresh cycles based on performance degradation and technology advancement.
Technical Documentation and Training - Create comprehensive installation guides, troubleshooting procedures, and training materials for field technicians. Ensure knowledge transfer enables local teams to handle routine maintenance and minor repairs.
Required Skills
Hardware Integration Excellence demonstrates solid experience managing complex camera and networking systems that operate reliably in challenging field deployment conditions. They have solved integration challenges where theoretical equipment specifications don't align with real-world performance requirements. Their experience includes coordinating hardware deployments across multiple venues with varying infrastructure constraints and diverse environmental conditions.
Camera Systems and Network Infrastructure combines comprehensive knowledge of computer vision camera requirements with practical network infrastructure design for high-bandwidth video streaming applications. They understand how camera placement, lens selection, and lighting conditions impact system performance in competitive environments. Their networking expertise helps ensure reliable data transmission even when venue connectivity is limited or bandwidth-constrained.
Field Deployment and Problem Resolution shows practical experience with live event deployments where setup time is constrained and systems must function correctly from initial installation. They have developed effective troubleshooting approaches that quickly identify root causes when equipment issues arise during critical operational periods. Their vendor relationship experience helps secure favorable equipment terms while ensuring availability for global deployment schedules.
Technical Documentation and Knowledge Transfer involves creating clear documentation and training materials that enable local event staff to deploy and maintain systems with minimal specialized support. They understand how to translate complex technical procedures into practical step-by-step guides that function effectively in high-pressure competition environments. Their communication skills facilitate knowledge transfer that reduces dependency on specialized technical personnel at individual venues.
Phase Allocation
The Hardware Specialist engages during Gamma phase when system designs are finalized and physical deployment planning begins. Full-time involvement during Delta phase ensures comprehensive field testing and refinement of deployment procedures. The role continues at reduced capacity during Full Release to support ongoing installations and address hardware-related challenges as the system scales.
| Phase | Weekly Rate | Allocation | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | - | 0% | - |
| Beta | - | 0% | - |
| Gamma | $6,375/week | 75% | 8 weeks |
| Delta | $8,500/week | 100% | 10 weeks |
| Full Release | $4,250/week | 50% | 12 weeks |
Deliverables
Hardware Specifications. Detailed technical specifications for all hardware components including cameras, edge computing devices, networking equipment, and mounting systems. These specifications define exact models, configurations, and performance requirements while ensuring compatibility across all system components and venue types.
Installation Procedures. Step-by-step installation guides optimized for rapid deployment by field technicians with varying technical expertise. These procedures include pre-deployment checklists, systematic installation workflows, and verification protocols that ensure consistent, error-free setup across all venues.
Mounting System Designs. Custom-engineered mounting solutions for cameras and edge devices that accommodate diverse venue architectures while maintaining optimal viewing angles. These designs include adjustable configurations for different ceiling heights, wall materials, and structural constraints encountered in competition venues worldwide.
Network Architecture Plans. Comprehensive network designs that ensure reliable, low-latency communication between edge devices, local servers, and cloud infrastructure. These plans address bandwidth requirements, redundancy strategies, and quality-of-service configurations necessary for real-time video processing in crowded RF environments.
Calibration Tools. Automated and semi-automated calibration utilities that simplify camera alignment and system configuration during deployment. These tools reduce setup time while ensuring precise calibration that maintains tracking accuracy throughout extended competition periods.
Troubleshooting Guides. Detailed diagnostic procedures and resolution strategies for common hardware issues encountered during deployment and operation. These guides enable rapid problem resolution by field staff while providing clear escalation paths for complex technical challenges.
Maintenance Schedules. Preventive maintenance programs that maximize hardware reliability and longevity through systematic inspection and service procedures. These schedules balance operational requirements with maintenance windows, ensuring minimal disruption to competition schedules.
Vendor Agreements. Negotiated contracts with hardware suppliers ensuring favorable pricing, priority support, and guaranteed availability for large-scale deployments. These agreements include service level commitments, warranty terms, and rapid replacement procedures critical for maintaining operational continuity.
Success Criteria
Success in the Hardware Integration Specialist role is measured through operational efficiency and system reliability metrics.
Installation and Deployment. The position requires achieving installation times of less than 4 hours regardless of venue configuration and maintaining a 95% first-time setup success rate. Standardized deployment kits must be created that contain all necessary components and tools for rapid field installation.
Reliability and Protection. Success criteria include achieving zero hardware failures during live events and ensuring IP64 environmental protection standards are met across all equipment. Remote diagnostics capabilities must be fully functional, enabling troubleshooting and system monitoring without requiring on-site presence.