Director of Manufacturing

Posted: 23-Jul-26 | Nashville, Tennessee | Full Time

About Virtuoso Surgical

Virtuoso Surgical is developing a first-of-its-kind robotic system for endoscopic surgery, designed to give surgeons dexterity and control at a scale far smaller than current surgical robotic systems. Our technology has earned FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, has been used successfully in its first-in-human clinical cases, and is nearing regulatory approval. The company is at a pivotal moment: we expect to scale significantly over the next few years as we move from engineering-heavy R&D into full commercial production and sales.

About the Role

We seek a Director of Manufacturing to own the transition from engineering design to a production-ready system and build our production operation from the ground up. This is a rare opportunity to architect the manufacturing function at a pivotal stage; you’ll build on a strong foundation of existing engineering work, early clinical success, and an established supplier base to deliver reliable, high-quality products to customers.

This role directly impacts the performance of systems used in real clinical procedures, with clear implications for patient outcomes and surgeon experience, and serves as a key cross-functional leadership role aligning engineering, quality, and supply chain around commercialization. You'll have real authority to define manufacturing strategy and design the production system that takes us from pilot builds to reliable, commercial-scale output, including building and scaling the manufacturing organization from the ground up.

You’ll define team structure, hire and develop manufacturing engineering and production talent, and establish the operating cadence and culture of the function. You’ll operate across strategy and execution—setting direction while also solving complex design-transfer and production challenges firsthand to ensure a manufacturable, high-yield, clinically reliable system.

Day to day, you'll partner closely with engineering and quality to ensure manufacturing and quality systems scale together. You’ll drive design for manufacturability, process improvement, supplier robustness, production planning, and GMP compliance, operating across manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to support a successful product launch and ramp. This role requires strong judgment in balancing speed, cost, and regulatory rigor while moving fluidly between strategic decisions and hands-on problem-solving.

This role is on-site in Nashville and requires occasional travel, typically less than 10%, for supplier visits, conferences, and observing clinical use of the system in real procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing scale-up from pilot builds through commercial volume — selecting the equipment and systems our production runs on, and planning capacity and facility needs as the company grows.
• Own manufacturing planning: scheduling, capacity, inventory, and production flow to meet delivery commitments.
• Define and implement manufacturing processes, equipment, and automation to ensure repeatable, high-quality production of complex electromechanical medical devices.
• Drive design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) in partnership with engineering, ensuring product designs are optimized for production yield, cost, and reliability.
• Establish and maintain a robust supplier base, including selection, qualification, and performance management of contract manufacturers and key component suppliers.
• Build and lead the manufacturing team, including hiring, training, and developing manufacturing engineers, technicians, and production staff.
• Develop and implement quality systems in compliance with FDA QSR (21 CFR Part 820), ISO 13485, and other applicable medical device regulations.
• Partner with quality and regulatory teams to ensure compliance and support successful audits and submissions.
• Drive continuous improvement in yield, cycle time, cost, and quality using lean manufacturing principles and data-driven problem-solving.
• Collaborate with R&D, clinical, and commercial teams to support product development, clinical trials, and commercial launch.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for manufacturing and report on progress to leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a leadership role in medical device or similarly regulated industry (e.g., aerospace, biotech).
• Proven track record of scaling manufacturing from prototype to commercial production for complex electromechanical devices.
• Strong experience with design for manufacturability (DFM), design for assembly (DFA), and design transfer from R&D to production.
• Deep knowledge of FDA QSR, ISO 13485, and medical device manufacturing best practices.
• Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing process development, equipment selection, and automation.
• Experience managing external suppliers and contract manufacturers.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of building and developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and levels.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make data-driven decisions in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.