Head of Manufacturing

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and grow a world-class manufacturing team; align manufacturing strategy with company goals and roadmap
• Own the operationalization of the production facility end-to-end (site readiness, equipment, workflows, safety, and staffing)
• Build and maintain a manufacturing engineering org in close lockstep with design engineering to ensure HQ builds, facility production, and field deployments are efficient and continuously optimized for manufacturability
• Own the NPI process to ensure smooth handoffs from development into production
• Collaborate with supply chain to drive COGS reduction over time through DFM feedback, process optimization, and yield improvement
• Establish manufacturing processes, documentation, and organizational design (including BOMs, drawings, part qualification, and supplier quality)
• Internally and externally represent the manufacturing function to key stakeholders including employees, customers, executives, and investors
• Own EHS compliance and safety culture at the production facility

Requirements

• 10+ years of professional experience, including 3+ years in a manufacturing leadership role, including standing up and operationalizing a production facility
• Experience bringing complex electromechanical systems, especially those involving metal fabrication, rigging, or heavy machinery, from prototype to production
• Familiarity with DFM, DFA, and/or GD&T principles; experience sourcing and qualifying suppliers and contract manufacturers
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate clearly across engineers, suppliers, technicians, and leadership
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, in-person startup environment; can roll up sleeves when needed while maintaining context of broader organizational goals
• Based in or able to relocate to the SF Bay Area; able to work 4-5 days/week from San Leandro HQ
• Open to ~20% travel (including field deployments and production facility)
• Excited to personally play a part in mitigating climate change

Nice-to-Haves

• Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field
• Experience in automation, robotics, or capital equipment manufacturing
• Experience working with solar or construction industry technologies
• Familiarity with high-complexity, low-volume production environments
• Experience with ION manufacturing software