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Work at LENA

A child’s hand uses a water brush to paint a simple figure with red hair on white paper. Another hand rests on the edge of the paper. The drawing features a smiling face and a basic body outline.

Make a difference. Every day.

The simplest moments shape a child’s future. That’s why we’re dedicated to transforming lives through one of the most valuable things you share with a child: conversation.

Our programs are used to improve conversational turns — the key marker of quality in early childhood – that lead to brain development, school readiness, and better lifelong outcomes. So if you’re passionate about helping children thrive and want to be a valued member of a purpose-driven, collaborative team, we’d love to meet you.

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Why Join LENA?

We’re small but mighty — a tight-knit, interdisciplinary team that values innovation, integrity, and impact. Whether you’re working in research, program delivery, sales, engineering, or marketing, your work helps ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. 

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Taking Care of Business

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Mission-Driven Work:

Be part of a nationally recognized organization creating change in early childhood.

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Collaborative Culture:

Work with passionate people in a supportive, respectful, & diverse environment. 

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Flexible Work Options:

Remote opportunities that support your well-being and work-life balance.

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Professional Growth:

Opportunities for learning, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration.

Taking Care of You

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Wellness:

Health, dental, and vision insurance

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401(k):

Including an employer match

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Paid Time Off:

Generous PTO and 11 holidays, and parental leave

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Extra Perks:

Professional development support, an annual org-wide retreat, and half-day summer Fridays 

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I began my career as a teacher because I’ve always believed in education’s ability to transform lives. After spending years in the classroom and exploring the EdTech world, I finally found a place where meaningful relationships are prioritized, and data serves as a tool to empower—not burden—educators. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to work that supports young learners during such a critical stage of their development. And what makes it even more special is being surrounded by people who are genuinely passionate about what they do, in a culture that’s supportive, collaborative, and just plain fun.
A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera. She is wearing a black and white top and is indoors, with white shelves and a peach-colored circle on the wall behind her.
— Christina Barragan
I love working at LENA. We’re not waiting until middle or high school to address disparities—we’re starting where it matters most. Our work is proactive because we believe every child deserves access to a rich, responsive language environment from the day they’re born. At LENA, I get to work alongside people who know real, systemic change is possible. Together, we champion a solution that supports educators, empowers families, and nurtures children's earliest connections into lifelong potential.
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— Lindsey Santarelli
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Our Commitment

At LENA, we’re committed to building the best team possible to support our mission. We’re seeking new team members with the lived experiences of those in the neighborhoods we serve, and experience with trusted partners and community organizations. 

With a learning mindset, we’re committed to cultivating a team and a work environment that’s welcoming, respectful, and encouraging to all.  

  • Regularly evaluating our hiring and onboarding practices to focus on recruiting, retaining, and supporting a diverse staff at all levels.
  • Continuously learning as an organization and as individuals on topics relevant to our daily experiences and work, honing our ability to tune in and support the array of communities we serve.
  • Providing an open door for feedback to improve the collective experience of LENA employees.
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Our Values

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PROACTIVE THROUGH DATA

We value the power of data to reveal truths, inform decisions, and advance our mission.

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GET IT IN THE IRON

We’re entrepreneurial risk takers who are okay operating with incomplete information: let’s find out if we’re right and then change course when we’re not.

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PERSEVERE TO SIMPLE

We try to make things simple no matter how difficult that is.

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WE’RE MORE THAN JUST TECHNOLOGY

Real change only happens through people. We come alongside our partners to blend technology, people, and setting to pursue a more just society together.

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HIGH STANDARDS, LOW EGOS

Together, we are greater than our sum as individuals. We are committed to seeking missing perspectives and supporting a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, identities, and skills because the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

No Current Openings

Contract Manufacturing Manager (Electronics)

LENA seeks a Contract Manufacturing Manager who will be responsible for the successful manufacture, delivery, and performance of LENA electronic hardware. They will work closely with various LENA teams, overseas contract manufacturers, vendors, service providers, and others to ensure newly produced and existing hardware is functional, meets requirements, and is delivered on time and within budget.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Company Summary:

LENA is a national nonprofit on a mission to transform children’s futures through early talk technology and data- driven programs. Research shows that back-and‐forth interaction between children and their adult caregivers in the earliest years is a key to long‐term outcomes. We integrate our “talk pedometer” technology into innovative programs to support parents, caregivers, and teachers to accelerate children’s language development, school readiness, and social-emotional health.

In this role, you will:

• Manage the contract manufacturing of LENA electronic hardware acting as the primary point of contact for all aspects of the manufacturing process and all companies involved, establishing and maintaining relationships with the same.

• Create and execute production build plans aligning with LENA’s goals and taking into account lead times, ship times, production capacity, and LENA’s internal capacity to receive, test, and store products.

• Ensure that all manufacturing drawings, specifications, and other electronic data is securely stored, versioned, and delivered to the appropriate parties.

• Order consigned parts and sub-assemblies as required, coordinating the production and delivery to our contract manufacturer.

• Working with the LENA shipping and receiving team, create and maintain procedures to receive and test newly manufactured and used hardware to ensure it is ready to be deployed or redeployed to LENA customers.

• As our production process matures, support negotiation of new contracts, terms, prices, and other items beneficial to LENA.

• Actively participate in meetings, chats, emails and other communications regarding hardware, firmware, and software questions, improvements, and changes, as part of the LENA product’s continuous improvement.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Exceptional organizational, communication, and comprehension skills.

• Demonstrated ability to create and track tasks, timelines, forecasts, measurables and in performing analytics.

• Comfortable and effective communicating with non-native English speakers in significantly different time-zones usually over video calls.

• Ability to take responsibility, locate and identify resources, and work through complex issues.

• Ability to backwards plan from a desired goal or state into a set of steps, data points, or other items that need to be implemented, collected, etc.

• Engineering background / experience strongly preferred.

• Experience with audio and audio devices is a significant plus.

You could be a good match for this role if you are:

• Mission-driven. It matters to you that your work makes a positive and durable impact on the world, and LENA’s mission speaks to you. You are culturally competent and have empathy with communities and contexts we serve (e.g., underserved populations, bilingual and/or multicultural environments, child-care settings).

• Thoughtfully entrepreneurial. You have sharp business acumen with a knack for turning daunting sales goals into reality. You’re an entrepreneurial risk taker but do so deliberately, defining the hypotheses you’re testing and then capturing and activating the resultant learning. You understand the value of balancing the long game in relationship cultivation with timely persuasiveness to move things forward now. You combine a personal humility and sense of curiosity with fierce resolve to collectively achieve audacious goals.

• A consistently great communicator. You are clear in your thinking and convey it with skill whether verbally or in written form. You listen to understand rather than to respond. You can read the room and possess the confidence to speak effectively with a range of audiences. You take the time to make the complex sound simpler. You are known for timely and consistent follow-up.

• Reflective and growth oriented. You look back on your wins and challenges to find the opportunities to grow and improve. You view feedback as a gift, seeking and incorporating feedback from your colleagues and partners to increase your personal impact in your role, as well as LENA’s impact in the field.

• Committed to equity and access to opportunity for all children. You understand the headwinds children, families, and caregivers face, particularly in under-resourced communities, and are dedicated to ensuring that all children have the tools to fulfill their potential from the earliest age.

Education and Experience:

• 3-5 years of direct or related experience managing electronics manufacturing.

• Experience with overseas manufacturing processes (especially China and/or other Asian countries), international customs, assembling electronic devices preferred

Compensation:

LENA’s team is passionate, fun, and collaborative. To learn more, visit our website. We have an excellent benefits package (including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, PTO, 14 holidays, and a 401k with match). This full time exempt role’s expected salary range begins at $90,000 annually, with compensation based on experience.

To apply:

Please submit a cover letter with salary/compensation requirements and resume as a single PDF document to HR@lena.org. We love cover letters — we really do read them. Channel LENA’s “persevere to simple” value to tell us in a way that is authentically yours why this role is the best next chapter for both you and us!

Location and Travel:

This is a hybrid position (partially in the LENA office and partially remote), requiring prolonged periods of being stationary at a desk and working on a computer (95 -100% of daily work time). Engaging in repetitive movements of wrists, hands, and fingers – typing and/or writing, and working frequently at close visual range (i.e., computer screen work including extensive reading) is required. Occasional job functions may require lifting up to 25 pounds of weight.