Associate Director, Manufacturing

Responsibilities

• Lead the manufacturing strategy from demonstration readiness through ongoing production of approximately 30,000 units
• Build, lead, and develop a multidisciplinary team of manufacturing engineers
• Drive the transition of product designs from prototyping into scalable, cost-effective production solutions
• Serve as the technical authority for outsourced manufacturing of subcomponents
• Identify, evaluate, and recommend qualified contract manufacturers based on technical capability and scalability
• Define manufacturing requirements, process controls, inspection strategies, and acceptance criteria
• Partner with Supply Chain and Supplier Quality Engineering to align technical execution with commercial activities
• Own metrology and inspection capabilities, including the definition of measurement system needs and validation
• Provide DFM/DFA guidance to engineering teams to support manufacturable product designs
• Lead resolution of complex manufacturing, quality, yield, and supplier issues

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field
• 12+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing engineering
• 4 to 8 years of experience in an industrial production operations setting
• Demonstrated success scaling products from prototype or pilot stages into outsourced manufacturing
• Strong experience qualifying and managing contract manufacturers for precision components and assemblies
• Deep understanding of DFM, DFA, and design-for-scalability principles
• Experience defining manufacturing requirements, acceptance criteria, and inspection strategies
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing technical teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
• Experience supporting demonstration facilities or early commercial production environments
• Background in mineral processing OEMs, electrochemical systems, or energy technologies
• Experience with injection molding processes, including tooling development and supplier qualification
• Experience with welding, bonding, or joining of fiber-based fabrics or composite materials
• Hands-on experience with fabrication processes such as machining, welding, or forming

Benefits

• 100% paid premiums for medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, and basic life insurance
• $1,800 annual employer HSA contribution
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• 401k with up to 5% matching contributions (100% vested on day one)
• Eligibility for incentive stock options

About the Company

Electra is transforming one of the world’s oldest industries with cutting-edge technology. Recognized by Time as one of the "best Inventions of 2024" and Fast Company as one of 2024's "Next Big Things in Tech," Electra is scaling rapidly to reshape the future of iron production for a cleaner, smarter world.