Director of Manufacturing

ContactHome/Careers/Director of Manufacturing // CareersDirector of Manufacturing We are seeking a Director of Manufacturing to own the complete manufacturing and supply chain operations of our LightCell product line. You will be responsible for ramping assembly throughput, managing internal production, building and scaling our vendor network, and ensuring delivery of high-quality products on schedule. This is a hands-on leadership role that demands both strategic thinking and operational excellence — you'll spend time in the lab and on the factory floor while also setting the vision for how we manufacture at scale.You will report directly to the CEO and work closely with our CTO, CGO, Chief Engineer, and the broader operations team. This role is critical to our growth and will carry significant equity participation and a clear path to VP of Operations or Chief Operating Officer.THE OPPORTUNITYWe're scaling from small-scale assembly to low rate production, with larger production to follow. Our current team assembles units in-house with a mix of internal work and strategic vendor partnerships. Over the next 18 months, we need to:Scale from tens to hundreds of units per year without sacrificing qualityTransition from hand assembly to repeatable, documented, scalable processesBuild and manage a network of precision vendors (brazing, metal fabrication, electronics, coatings)Achieve consistent delivery timelines and cost targets as design maturesLay the groundwork for potential manufacturing partnerships or contract manufacturing as we grow beyond 50+ employeesKEY RESPONSIBILITIESAssembly Operations & Manufacturing EngineeringOversee all aspects of in-house assembly, quality control, and production schedulingIdentify and eliminate bottlenecks in the assembly workflow; drive efficiency improvements through process redesign and automation opportunitiesDevelop and continuously improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all production activitiesManage assembly staffing, training, and quality culture; build a team that takes pride in their workImplement production control systems (visual management, inventory tracking, scheduling) appropriate for our scaleWork closely with R&D to ensure designs are manufacturable and can scale efficientlySupply Chain & Vendor ManagementSource, qualify, and manage relationships with critical vendors (metal fabrication, brazing, coatings, electronics, precision components)Negotiate contracts, manage costs, and ensure on-time delivery from all suppliersEstablish quality standards and inspection protocols with vendors; drive continuous improvementDevelop contingency plans and diversify the vendor base for critical components to reduce supply chain riskCoordinate vendor performance reviews and escalate issues proactivelyBuild long-term partnerships with vendors who can grow with usQuality & ComplianceEstablish and enforce quality checkpoints throughout assembly and testingImplement traceability and documentation systems to support customer delivery and warranty managementPrepare for and drive certifications (ISO 9001, as appropriate) or customer-specific quality requirementsInvestigate and resolve quality issues; implement corrective actionsManage product testing and field feedback loops to inform manufacturing improvementsScaling Strategy & PlanningDevelop a manufacturing roadmap that anticipates volume growth and infrastructure needsMake build-vs.-buy decisions on key manufacturing capabilities (which processes to keep in-house vs. outsource)Plan for facility needs, equipment, and staffing as production scales from current levels to 500+/yearExplore manufacturing partnerships or contract manufacturers if and when internal scaling becomes uneconomicalDrive cost reduction initiatives without compromising quality as production scalesTeam Leadership & CultureBuild and lead a growing operations team (assembly technicians, quality inspector, supply chain coordinator)Create a manufacturing culture focused...