Sr. Director of Manufacturing Engineering (Automation Experience Required)
Leads manufacturing engineering organization to scale high-volume, high-precision production using advanced automation and digital systems. Requires 15+ years experience in complex manufacturing like semiconductor or battery, with expertise in process optimization, robotics, and MES/ERP integration.
Responsibilities
- Build, lead, and scale a high-performing multi-site manufacturing engineering organization while developing team capabilities through mentoring, coaching, and succession planning
- Foster a culture of accountability, safety, innovation, and continuous improvement aligned with business goals
- Define and execute the manufacturing engineering roadmap, including automation, digitalization, and factory expansion, in partnership with Product, R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations
- Develop scalable, modular manufacturing systems to support global expansion, site ramp, and technology transfer
- Partner with design and R&D teams to ensure DFM/DFA, manufacturing readiness, and successful prototyping, pilot builds, and process validation
- Identify and mitigate manufacturing risks early to enable rapid iteration, scalability, and production readiness
- Lead factory bring-up efforts across multiple sites and drive NPI transitions (EVT/DVT/PVT) into high-volume production with robust qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ)
- Design, validate, and optimize manufacturing processes across diverse materials and technologies using advanced process controls, statistical methods, and real-time monitoring
- Deploy and validate automated manufacturing equipment, define specifications, and establish factory acceptance and testing criteria for internal and external partners
- Develop and build advanced materials transformation and automated inbound/outbound systems (internally or with integrators) that feed the manufacturing system (Matter Compiler, MC)
- Implement and manage enterprise MES systems with full integration to ERP and PLM, while advancing Industry 4.0 capabilities such as AI/ML, predictive analytics, and digital twins
- Establish robust data infrastructure to enable real-time performance tracking, analytics, and decision-making
- Oversee manufacturing line performance and continuously improve key metrics such as OEE, yield, downtime, and cycle time
- Define and track KPIs for yield, quality, cost, and downtime while implementing quality systems including SPC, FMEA, and control plans
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and RCCA methodologies while standardizing processes, documentation, and training
- Lead root cause investigations, drive cost reduction, value engineering, and waste elimination, and optimize overall equipment effectiveness and supply chain interactions
- Work with contract manufacturers, supply chain, and quality to ensure assemblies to build the MC are produced cost-effectively and tested to ensure required quality is achieved
- Promote a safety-first culture, ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations, and support safe equipment design practices
- Implement sustainable manufacturing practices and ensure responsible management of hazardous materials
Requirements
- 15+ years in manufacturing engineering, including 7+ years in leadership roles
- Proven experience scaling production from prototype to high-volume manufacturing
- Extensive experience managing work and solving problems on the factory floor
- Background in battery, solar, semiconductor, precision equipment, advanced automation, or similar high tech industry
- Experience building and leading multidisciplinary teams across multiple sites in different geolocations
- Deep knowledge of manufacturing processes across diverse materials
- Strong experience in automation, robotics, and equipment development
- Expertise in EVT/DVT/PVT and IQ/OQ/PQ processes
- Experience with MES, ERP, PLM, and digital manufacturing systems
- Familiarity with metrology systems and AI/ML applications in manufacturing
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field required; Master’s preferred
Compensation
- Salary Range: $250,000—$325,000 USD
- Includes equity and benefits
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