Head of Production

About Critical Loop

Critical Loop is shaping the next generation of energy systems by building the integrated edge grid of the future. Specializing in advanced energy management and battery control systems, Critical Loop empowers businesses and communities to seamlessly unite distributed energy resources for faster, more reliable, and affordable grid access. With deep expertise in grid modernization and a passion for creating resilient, responsive energy solutions, Critical Loop drives innovation at the intersection of technology and energy.

About the Role

Location: Torrance, CA — on-site, with regular travel to customer sites.

We are looking for an experienced leader who is passionate about disciplined operations and capable of leading a newly established production team to deliver high quality products to our customers. You will be responsible for growing and upskilling the team that will assemble and integrate Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), establishing the standards by which the team operates, and leading product lines from build planning through full production ramp. This individual must have the capability to rapidly become a subject matter expert on multiple complex production operations, both in mechanical and electrical systems, and capable of operating successfully within a dynamic startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Define the strategy — what systems get built where, in what order, and to what specification, and drive alignment with Engineering and Leadership
• Build the team — manage and grow a team of manufacturing engineers and technicians on a multi-shift schedule while enforcing operational standards with strict accountability
• Own the execution — manage modification, repair, assembly, and integration of production assemblies to achieve on-time delivery and quality targets; instill a safety culture at all times
• Manage the inputs and outputs — collaborate with engineering to define build operations, sequencing, and processes to optimize production flow that meets target build rate
• Review and approve work instructions and engineering changes
• Resolve non-conformance issues in partnership with the Quality and Engineering teams
• Monitor labor hours/overtime, and implement improvement plans and time management with staff
• Manage capacity planning of equipment and personnel, including downtime to support maintenance and calibration activities

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
• 8+ years of technical leadership experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience in ISO-9001 or AS9100 Quality Management certifications

Preferred Requirements

• Proven success managing diverse teams of 10+ employees and driving operations at scale
• Demonstrated ability to build, mentor, and retain high-performing teams
• Deep understanding of budgeting and operational cost-efficiency
• Comfortable making decisions under tight deadlines and changing priorities
• Excellent communication, leadership, and cross-department relationships
• Strong knowledge of supplier management, logistics, fabrication, and quality practices

Benefits

• Equity ownership through stock options
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, and vision) through an HRA with a generous allowance
• Retirement savings plan
• Unlimited paid time off