Director of Manufacturing and Quality
About the role
Reporting directly to the VP of Manufacturing Operations, the Director of Manufacturing and Quality will hold complete accountability for the global manufacturing strategy, production execution, and end-to-end quality management of Bolt’s hardware portfolio. This leadership role spans the entire product lifecycle—from early NPI (New Product Introduction) and design-for-manufacturability (DFM) reviews to high-volume mass production, factory consolidation, and field quality tracking.
What you'll do
Global Manufacturing Strategy & Execution
Production Footprint Optimization: Architect and execute the global manufacturing strategy, including the optimization of domestic facilities and the successful launch and stabilization of overseas extended factories.
NPI to Mass Production Scaling: Drive the seamless operational handoff of complex hardware products from design engineering into high-volume manufacturing. Establish robust New Product Introduction (NPI) playbooks.
Capacity & Efficiency Optimization: Drive line balancing, automation initiatives, and factory layout designs to optimize throughput, maximize capital expenditure efficiency, and reduce cycle times.
Vendor & CM Operations: Manage technical execution at tier-1 Contract Manufacturers (CMs) and ODMs. Partner with Supply Chain to hold vendors accountable to strict operational SLAs.
End-to-End Quality Engineering & Compliance
QMS Leadership: Own, scale, and continuous improve Bolt’s global Quality Management System (QMS) across all manufacturing sites and external partners, ensuring compliance with relevant international standards.
Advanced Quality Planning: Embed Design for Manufacturability, Assembly, and Test (DFM/DFA/DFT) early in the product development cycle. Implement robust PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and control plans at all factory levels.
Yield & Reliability Maximization: Drive rigorous statistical process control (SPC) on the factory floor. Analyze complex test data to root-cause and eliminate component-level, PCBA-level, and system-level failures.
Closed-Loop Corrective Action: Lead global failure analysis (FA) and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) processes for manufacturing escapes and field returns, ensuring engineering feedback loops are closed instantly.
Team Leadership & Executive Advisory
Organizational Scaling: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing international team of Manufacturing, Test, and Supplier Quality Engineers.
Executive Metrics Dashboard: Define, track, and regularly report on mission-critical operational metrics (First Pass Yield, Cost of Poor Quality, OEE, Scrap Rate, and Field Defect Rates) to the VP of Operations and the executive leadership team.
Qualifications
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in hardware manufacturing operations, NPI, and quality engineering within high-tech electronics, compute hardware, or complex electromechanical industries.
Proven Delivery Track Record:
Direct experience establishing and scaling overseas manufacturing facilities/extended factories (particularly in Taiwan, China, or Southeast Asia) and managing Tier-1 EMS/CM partners.
Technical Depth:
Deep understanding of both Electrical fabrication (SMT lines, PCBA testing, ICT/FCT fixtures, thermal management) and Mechanical processes (precision machining, die-casting, custom tooling, injection molding).
Quality Methodologies:
Expert knowledge of advanced quality tools (Six Sigma Black Belt preferred, Lean Manufacturing, SPC, 8D problem solving, FMEA, Gauge R&R).
System Familiarity:
Extensive experience utilizing PLM (e.g., Arena, Agile), ERP, and manufacturing execution systems (MES) to drive process discipline.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline. An MS in Engineering or an MBA is highly desirable.
Travel:
Ability to travel globally (up to 30-40%) to domestic facilities and international manufacturing sites to lead factory bring-ups, line audits, and critical business reviews.
Compensation Range:
$200,000–$250,000 per year (California).
Benefits:
Medical, Dental, & Vision - 100% covered premiums
Equity - Stock Options
401(k) match
WFH Hardware Reimbursement