Hardware & Deployment Operations Manager

About Presto Phoenix, Inc.

Presto is the leading Voice AI company for restaurant drive-thrus, operating at scale in complex, noisy, customer-facing environments. As the AI partner to more than a dozen of the most iconic American restaurant brands, Presto is building one of the most impactful real-world applications of AI that directly impacts revenue, labor efficiency, and a magical guest experience for millions of people.

AI is not a feature at Presto—it is the foundation of how we build, evaluate, and evolve our products. We operate at lightning speed iteration cycles and are solving some of the hardest problems in Voice AI. We are backed by Remus Capital, were a Y Combinator company, and are headquartered in Silicon Valley.

This may not be the right fit for you, if you are looking for a traditional 9-to-5 environment. We move at the pace of AI. Change is constant, and roadmaps evolve quickly. Presto is for builders, experimenters, and problem-solvers who thrive in ambiguity, learn continuously, and are excited to shape the future of real-world AI alongside a high-performance team.

The Role

We are looking for a Hardware & Deployment Operations Manager located in the Dallas Metropolitan Area to support the successful rollout of Presto's Voice AI systems across quick service restaurants nationwide.

This is a hands-on, technically oriented operations role at the intersection of hardware deployment, restaurant technology, and cross-functional coordination. You will work directly with field technicians, restaurant IT teams, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure installations are executed accurately, efficiently, and on schedule.

Success in this role requires strong technical troubleshooting skills, operational discipline, and the ability to manage multiple deployments simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. You must be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, balancing project coordination with real-time technical support.

This role will be hybrid and will need to report to our Dallas warehouse located in Addison, TX three (3) days a week.

What You'll Do

Hardware Assembly & Quality Control

• Own and continuously improve hardware assembly processes for the Presto Voice Audiobox, including cable harness prep, PCB enclosure assembly, terminal block wiring, and connector installation.
• Develop and maintain assembly work instructions, visual aids, and QA checklists to ensure build consistency and accuracy.
• Establish and enforce quality inspection criteria at each stage of assembly, including cable continuity checks, secure connector seating and enclosure integrity.
• Manage assembly throughout at the warehouse, balancing kitting, build, and shipping timelines against deployment schedules.

Field Technician Support

• Serve as the primary technical resource for field technicians performing Voice AI hardware installations.

• Provide real-time remote assistance to guide installation, integration, and troubleshooting.

• Ensure technicians are fully prepared with documentation, tools, and installation requirements prior to site arrival.
• Review installation reports, validation results, and install photos to verify accuracy and quality.
• Act as the escalation point during installations to resolve issues quickly and maintain deployment timelines.

Project & Deployment Coordination

• Coordinate installations from planning through completion, ensuring timelines and deliverables are met.
• Track deployment schedules, milestones, and documentation using project management and CRM tools.

• Identify risks proactively and escalate critical blockers to internal stakeholders.

• Communicate clearly and professionally with cross-functional teams to drive deployment success.

Process Execution & Continuous Improvement

• Refine deployment processes based on field feedback and lessons learned.

• Maintain accurate deployment records and documentation.

• Support finance reporting by verifying invoice accuracy and contributing to month-end reporting.

Vendor & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Participate in internal and external calls with vendors, restaurant partners, and cross-functional teams.

• Build strong working relationships to ensure smooth installation experiences.

• Align expectations and communicate status updates effectively across stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

• 3-5 years of experience in electromechanical assembly, contract manufacturing, or hardware operations — experience in audio hardware, telecom CPE, IoT devices, or industrial control panels is closely transferable.
• Demonstrated ability to build or improve assembly line processes, including work instruction development, station design, and throughput tracking.
• Familiarity with cable harness assembly, terminal block wiring, connector crimping, and enclosure builds.
• Experience conducting or managing hardware QA, including visual inspection, functional testing protocols, and defect tracking.

• Comfortable reading and working from wiring diagrams and assembly drawings.

• 1–2 years of project management or project coordination experience.

• Strong technical troubleshooting skills (hardware, networking, cabling, audio devices).

• Experience using project management tools (e.g., JIRA) and CRM platforms (e.g., Zoho or similar).

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.

• Comfort operating in fast-paced environments with tight deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft or Google productivity tools.

Nice to Have

• 3–5 years of experience in restaurant or retail technology installation, QSR facilities management, or a related field.
• Experience with audio interfaces, intercom systems, or drive-thru hardware (brands like HME, Panasonic, PAR/3M are directly relevant).

Why Presto

We move at the speed of AI. Change is rapid, experimentation is expected, and roles evolve alongside the technology. This is not a highly prescriptive environment—success requires curiosity, adaptability, and a desire to continuously learn and push boundaries.

You will work on real-world AI deployments at scale, directly impacting restaurant operations and customer experiences across the country.

This role offers meaningful ownership and visibility. Every installation matters. Every successful rollout impacts revenue and operational efficiency for our customers.

If you are a hands-on operator who enjoys solving real-world technical challenges and ensuring things get done correctly the first time, this role offers both responsibility and impact.

Compensation & Benefits

The U.S. base salary range for this position is approximately $60,000– $80,000 annually, plus equity and benefits. Compensation is determined by role, level, location, and individual experience. Presto's compensation philosophy rewards high performers and aligns incentives with long-term value creation.

Benefits for U.S.-based employees include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) program, and paid time off (PTO). Learn more at www.presto.com.

Our Commitment

We value people from all walks of life and are committed to building an inclusive, equitable work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Presto Phoenix, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

If you need an accommodation to access the application or interview process, please contact recruiting@presto.com.