Head of Manufacturing

About the role

Charge Robotics is a fast-moving startup focused on developing robots that build solar farms. The company is seeking a Head of Manufacturing to oversee the entire manufacturing process, from setting up and operating the first production facility to managing the manufacturing function for both headquarters and field deployments.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and grow a world-class manufacturing team, and collaborate with company leadership to align manufacturing strategy with company goals and roadmap
• Own the operationalization of our production facility end-to-end (site readiness, equipment, workflows, safety, and staffing)
• Draw on prior experience to stand up and operate a production facility
• 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 New Product Introduction (NPI) process to ensure smooth handoffs from development into production
• Collaborate with supply chain to drive cost of goods sold (COGS) reduction over time through Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback, process optimization, and yield improvement
• Establish manufacturing processes, documentation, and organizational design (including Bill of Materials (BOMs), drawings, part qualification, and supplier quality) and set the bar for excellence across all manufacturing activity
• Internally and externally represent the manufacturing function to key stakeholders including employees, customers, executives, and investors, and own Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) compliance and safety culture at the production facility

Requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to communicate clearly across engineers, suppliers, technicians, and leadership
• 10+ years of professional experience, including 3+ years in a manufacturing leadership role, including standing up and operationalizing a production facility
• Familiarity with DFM, DFA, and/or GD&T principles, and experience sourcing and qualifying suppliers and contract manufacturers
• Experience in automation, robotics, or capital equipment manufacturing
• Familiarity with high-complexity, low-volume production environments
• Open to ~20% travel (including field deployments and production facility)

Qualifications

• Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field
• Experience working with solar or construction industry technologies

Skills

• Experience in automation, robotics, or capital equipment manufacturing
• Familiarity with high-complexity, low-volume production environments

Benefits

• Opportunities for learning and growth within a fast-moving startup environment
• Significant equity compensation reflecting your impact on the company and its product
• The chance to work with cutting-edge robots and contribute to the renewable energy sector

Pay

$180K - $280K

Schedule

Based in or able to relocate to the SF Bay Area, and able to work 4-5 days/week from our San Leandro HQ. Open to ~20% travel (including field deployments and production facility).

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.