Manufacturing Operations Manager
About NeuroBionics
NeuroBionics, a neurotech MIT spinoff, develops implantable devices that interface with the human body to treat neurological conditions. Leveraging a decade of innovation, they have engineered a novel neural interface using microscale, flexible, bioelectronic fibers that seamlessly integrate with the human body. Each fiber encompasses electrical, chemical, and optical capabilities—enabling sensing and modulation of the biological environment. By making neural interfacing minimally invasive, they aim to broaden access to neuromodulation therapies and improve the lives of millions of patients.
About The Role
NeuroBionics is hiring a Manufacturing Operations Manager to run the day-to-day engine that turns build plans into shipped hardware. This is a hands-on, working role: you'll own manufacturing execution, personally run in-process and final inspection, drive process optimization, manage 1-2 manufacturing operators, own inventory, and hold purchasing authority over your critical build vendors. This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives in the “messy middle” between engineering intent and real-world output — it's staying close to the work, driving it to closure fast, and keeping engineering and quality unblocked. You'll install lightweight systems and a reliable execution cadence without introducing bureaucracy, working directly with the CEO, CTO, and technical leads, and partnering with Quality for disciplined, traceable execution.
Location
On-site in Cambridge/Somerville, MA. Title will be adjusted based on experience.
What You’ll Do
Run manufacturing execution and labor planning
Establish and operate a weekly build plan + daily execution cadence, with clear priorities, WIP visibility, and rapid blocker removal
Lead and develop a team of 1-2 manufacturing operators: staffing plans, onboarding, training, schedules, and performance expectations
Partner with Engineering and Quality to ensure builds follow the right revs, specs, and release criteria. Own inspection and process optimization
Run in-process and final inspection end-to-end, operating within the quality system and partnering with Quality on release criteria
Drive continuous improvement on the floor: attack yield, cycle time, and variation with standard work, checklists, and 5S where it earns its keep
Reduce rework, expedites, and tribal-knowledge dependencies
Own inventory and critical build-vendor purchasing
Stand up practical inventory systems: item-master hygiene, min/max or reorder points, cycle counts, shortage visibility
Hold purchasing authority for critical build vendors — quotes, POs, confirmations, delivery tracking, and escalation — so parts arrive on time for the build
Keep BOM-related purchasing aligned with Engineering as designs change
Coincide with Business Operations, which owns general procurement, AP, and back-office vendor/SOW management
Own relationships with critical vendors
Drive disciplined SOW and deliverable tracking: milestones, timelines, quality expectations, and cost control
Anticipate risks (lead times, quality escapes, schedule slips) and communicate mitigation plans early
Own shipping, receiving, and fulfillment discipline
Run incoming inspection coordination, labeling, kitting, packing, and shipment tracking
Define and maintain an early order-to-ship workflow, including documentation and handoffs
Build lightweight systems that reduce chaos
Stand up simple dashboards and rituals that make throughput, shortages, vendor status, and the shipping queue visible
Drive continuous improvement: standard work, checklists, 5S where it earns its keep, and steady reduction of rework and expedites
Required About You
5+ years in operations/manufacturing in medtech (startup preferred) or a closely regulated hardware environment
A track record of moving fast under constraint — hitting aggressive timelines and driving cross-functional work to closure
Be ready to walk through specific examples
Hands-on experience owning in-process and final inspection end-to-end and process optimization in a hardware/manufacturing setting (yield, cycle time, standard work, in-process quality checks)
You'll be the inspection owner, not a backstop to one
Demonstrated experience taking at least one product from development into production (or an equivalent production ramp)
Strong working knowledge of inventory control and vendor/purchasing management for manufacturing inputs in a hardware setting
Comfortable being the close-to-the-floor lead for a small operation (1-2 direct reports), running inspection and process work directly — not just managing people
High attention to detail and disciplined execution (revisions, parts, traceability basics)
PREFERRED
MEDICAL DEVICE STARTUP EXPERIENCE (OR SIMILARLY RESOURCE-CONTRAINED, HIGH-AMBIGUITY SETTING)
FAMILIARITY WITH ISO 13485 / DESIGN CONTROLS / BASIC QUALITY SYSTEM CONCEPTS — YOU WON'T BE THE QE, BUT YOU OPERATE INSIDE THE SYSTEM AND RUN INSPECTION WITHIN IT
EXPERIENCE WITH EARLY-STAGE MRP/ERP TOOLS, OR BUILDING MRP-LIGHT PROCESSES IN SPREADSHEETS AND TRANSLATING BUILD PLANS INTO PURCHASING ACTIONS
LOCAL BOSTON/CAMBRIDGE VENDOR AND STAFFING NETWORK
Contact Information
Contact information for two references
How To Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following application materials:
Resume
A short (~250 words) cover letter highlighting how your qualifications align with this position
Contact information for two references
What We Offer
Opportunity to learn and work for a mission-driven, VC-backed, MIT-spinoff on one of the most impactful problems that can change lives
Competitive and experience-guided compensation and meaningful equity stake
3 weeks flexible PTO + 1.5 week company shutdown
Full benefits plan including
Health, dental and vision insurance covered at 100%
Health Reimbursement Account
Parental & Medical Leave
Life and Long-term Disability insurance
401(k)
Health & wellness benefit