Posted 2 months ago
Hardware Development Associate
@ Keycafe
Vancouver, British Columbia
Overview
Keycafe, which builds smart key-management systems, is hiring a Hardware Development Associate in Vancouver, BC. The early-career role covers mechanical design, prototyping, testing, assembly, documentation and supplier coordination, with a path toward manufacturing lead responsibilities. Full-time employment with benefits after probation.
Responsibilities:
- Assist with mechanical design and prototyping of hardware products
- Build, test and troubleshoot prototypes and production units
- Support assembly, quality inspection and packaging
- Develop assembly instructions and test procedures
- Coordinate parts and samples with suppliers and internal teams
Requirements summary:
- Related degree in mechanical, mechatronics, electrical engineering or industrial design
- Strong practical problem-solving and attention to detail
- Hands-on comfort building and testing physical products
- Strong written and spoken English
- Comfortable with spreadsheets and new software tools
Tools & skills
Benefits mentioned
Source and dates
Employer career site / ATS feed · workable
- Employer posting date
- 2026-09-07
- First seen by our source
- 2026-10-09
- Source record updated
- 2026-10-09
These dates describe the source record, not a live verification that the employer is still hiring. Check the original posting.
Job details
| Seniority | Entry level |
| Department | Engineering |
| Hours per week | 40 (estimated) |
| Travel | air: none · ground: none |
| Work setting | Laboratory, Plant or factory, Office |
| Position | Sitting and standing |
| Physical demands | physical moderate · computer moderate |
| Languages | English |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree (required) |
| Fields of study | Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Design |
| Perks mentioned | Generous paid time off, Generous parental leave, Wellness |
Summary and details written by AI from the posting; the employer’s posting is the authority.
Keycafe
Saved company profile
Historical company information from a saved The Jobs API profile (LinkedIn/Crunchbase fields). It is not live-verified; figures may have changed. Missing values remain unknown.
Cloud-based key management for secure, trackable access to physical keys across teams and locations
Full company description
Keycafe provides a cloud-based key management system used by businesses that need secure, trackable access to physical keys. The platform combines smart key lockers, mobile and web software, and integrations that allow teams, customers, and partners to share keys without manual handoffs. Keys are stored in connected lockers and accessed through scheduled or on-demand permissions. Every pickup and return is logged, creating a clear audit trail that reduces loss, disputes, and administrative work. Access can be granted remotely, changed in real time, and limited by time, location, or user role. Keycafe is used across short-term rentals, property management, auto dealerships, hotels, trucking fleets, police departments, security companies, and other operations where keys change hands frequently. The system supports single locations as well as multi-city or global deployments, with centralized control and reporting. By replacing physical exchanges and informal tracking with a managed system, Keycafe helps organizations maintain security, accountability, and consistent access across their operations.
- LinkedIn followers
- 25,760
- People associated on LinkedIn
- 71
- Reported office locations
- 102-329 Railway St, Vancouver, British Columbia V6A1A4, CA
- Business categories
- Internet
- Online Portals
- Rental Property
- SaaS
- Software
- Other recorded names
- Keycafe
- Specialties
- Guest Reception
- Property Management
- Key Exchange
- Enterprise Key Management
- Airbnb Key Exchange
- Vacation Rental Key Management
- Hotel Management
- Auto Dealer Management
- Facility Management
- Key Management System
- Key Control System
- Access Management
- and Fleet Key Management
- Profile identifies a recruitment agency
- No
- Reported total investment
- 1,031,560
Currency and observation date were not supplied; this is not a current valuation or a funding round.
Keycafe provides a cloud-based key management system used by businesses that need secure, trackable access to physical keys. The platform combines smart key lockers, mobile and web software, and integrations that allow teams, customers, and partners to share keys without manual handoffs. Keys are stored in connected lockers and accessed through scheduled or on-demand permissions. Every pickup and return is logged…
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software Development |
| Company size | 51-200 employees |
| Headquarters | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Organization type | Privately Held |
| Year founded | 2012 |
| Specialties | Guest ReceptionProperty ManagementKey ExchangeEnterprise Key ManagementAirbnb Key ExchangeVacation Rental Key ManagementHotel ManagementAuto Dealer ManagementFacility ManagementKey Management System |
| Open jobs on Jobsy | 3 |
| View page |
Hardware Development Associate
Location: Vancouver, BC
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports to: VP of Innovation & Operations
About Keycafe
Keycafe builds smart key-management systems used by organizations around the world. Our products combine custom hardware, electronics, cloud software, and mobile applications to help customers securely manage physical keys and assets.
We are looking for a capable, curious, and hands-on Hardware Development Associate to join our Vancouver team. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career professional who wants broad exposure to physical product development. You will contribute across mechanical design, prototyping, testing, assembly, product documentation, and supplier coordination. As you develop product and operational knowledge, the role offers a path toward increased responsibility for manufacturing and supply-chain operations.
What You’ll Do
- Assist with mechanical design and product-development work for Keycafe hardware products.
- Build, modify, and evaluate prototypes and early production units.
- Support product testing, troubleshooting, validation, and design improvements.
- Assist with hands-on assembly, functional checks, quality inspection, and packaging of hardware products.
- Help develop and improve assembly instructions, test procedures, inspection criteria, and related documentation.
- Coordinate prototype parts, production components, packaging, and samples with suppliers and internal teams.
- Learn and use Keycafe’s internal ordering and production platform to support purchasing, inventory, production records, and operational planning.
- Help maintain relationships and day-to-day communication with hardware, manufacturing, and logistics suppliers.
- Support practical investigations into product quality, component fit, manufacturability, cost, shipping, and supply availability.
- Take on a broad range of technical and operational projects as the company and product line evolve.
Growth Opportunity
This role is intended for a strong early-career generalist who wants to develop broad skills in hardware development and operations.
Over time, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to take increasing ownership of supplier coordination, purchasing, inventory, production planning, and manufacturing operations. The role has a potential growth path toward a Manufacturing Lead position.
Why Join Keycafe
- Work on real, globally deployed physical products..
- Gain exposure across the full product lifecycle: design, prototyping, testing, assembly, manufacturing, and supply chain.
- Take on meaningful responsibility early and grow alongside an expanding hardware business.
- Work closely with an experienced team in a practical, fast-moving environment.
Keycafe is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.
Requirements
What We’re Looking For
- A related degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or Industrial Design.
- Strong practical problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Interest in physical products, mechanical systems, electronics, and hardware development.
- Comfortable working in a hands-on environment and willing to build, test, inspect, and troubleshoot physical products directly.
- Able to organize work independently, follow through on details, and operate effectively in an evolving environment.
- Strong written and spoken English communication skills.
- Comfortable using spreadsheets and learning new internal systems and software tools.
- Able to work collaboratively with engineers, operations staff, suppliers, and external manufacturing partners.
Nice to Have
- Experience working for a company developing and shipping a hardware or electronic device.
- Experience building or testing prototypes, working in a lab or workshop, or assembling electro-mechanical products.
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes, supplier communication, purchasing, inventory, quality control, or shipping.
- At least 2 years of professional experience in a hardware, product-development, manufacturing, or related technical role.
- Experience using SolidWorks or another CAD/drafting package.
Benefits
- Work Equipment: We provide an Apple MacBook for work use, as well as a monitor, keyboard, and mouse
- Music Streaming: We cover your subscription for Spotify, Apple Music, or another major provider
- Cell Phone Plan: We cover typical single-person plans
- Wellness Budget: Enjoy an annual budget for physical or mental wellness expenses, such as a local sports league, gym membership, fitness classes, mental health apps, counseling, etc
- Career Development Budget: Enjoy an annual budget for career development courses, programs, or activities
- Paid Time Off: 18 days of PTO annually for holiday or sick days, in addition to all of your local statutory holidays
- Birthday Off: Celebrate your special day with an extra day off
- 2 Year Sabbatical: After 2 years at Keycafe, enjoy 2 extra weeks of PTO in your 3rd year
- 5 Year Sabbatical: After 5 years at Keycafe, enjoy 5 extra weeks of PTO in your 6th year. Recurs every 5 years
- Maternity / Paternity Leave: 4-week paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers, with flexible usage within the first year of the child's arrival
Note: Eligibility for benefits begins upon successful completion of a 3- or 6-month probationary period.
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