Sr. Director of Manufacturing Engineering (Automation Experience Required)

Atomic Machines is ushering in a new era of micromanufacturing with its Matter Compiler™ technology. This full-stack technology enables new classes of micromachines to be designed and built by offering manufacturing processes and a materials library that is inaccessible to semiconductor manufacturing methods. It promises to unlock MEMS manufacturing for the many device classes frustrated by semiconductor methods and to open up entirely new product classes. The Matter Compiler™ technology fully realizes the digital manufacturing dream: bits and raw materials go in, and complete, functional micromachines come out.  The Atomic Machines team has also created an exciting first device – one that was only made possible by the existence of the Matter CompilerTM technology – that we will be unveiling to the world soon.

Our offices are in Emeryville and Santa Clara, California.

he Head of Manufacturing Engineering is a key leadership role within the Production Manufacturing organization, responsible for overseeing all manufacturing engineering functions and building world-class capabilities across high-volume, high-precision environments. This leader will drive the design, implementation, and optimization of manufacturing processes and equipment, integrating advanced automation, digital systems, and materials processing technologies to ensure efficiency, safety, quality, and scalability.

Working cross-functionally, this role will lead the transition from prototype to full-scale production while driving continuous improvement in cost, yield, and operational performance. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in complex manufacturing domains—such as battery, semiconductor, solar, or automated equipment—and a proven track record of scaling advanced manufacturing systems and organizations.

• Build, lead, and scale a high-performing multi-site manufacturing engineering organization while developing team capabilities through mentoring, coaching, and succession planning
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, innovation, and continuous improvement aligned with business goals
• Define and execute the manufacturing engineering roadmap, including automation, digitalization, and factory expansion, in partnership with Product, R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations
• Develop scalable, modular manufacturing systems to support global expansion, site ramp, and technology transfer
• Partner with design and R&D teams to ensure DFM/DFA, manufacturing readiness, and successful prototyping, pilot builds, and process validation
• Identify and mitigate manufacturing risks early to enable rapid iteration, scalability, and production readiness
• Lead factory bring-up efforts across multiple sites and drive NPI transitions (EVT/DVT/PVT) into high-volume production with robust qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ)
• Design, validate, and optimize manufacturing processes across diverse materials and technologies using advanced process controls, statistical methods, and real-time monitoring
• Deploy and validate automated manufacturing equipment, define specifications, and establish factory acceptance and testing criteria for internal and external partners
• Develop and build advanced materials transformation and automated inbound/outbound systems (internally or with integrators) that feed the manufacturing system (Matter Compiler, MC)
• Implement and manage enterprise MES systems with full integration to ERP and PLM, while advancing Industry 4.0 capabilities such as AI/ML, predictive analytics, and digital twins
• Establish robust data infrastructure to enable real-time performance tracking, analytics, and decision-making
• Oversee manufacturing line performance and continuously improve key metrics such as OEE, yield, downtime, and cycle time
• Define and track KPIs for yield, quality, cost, and downtime while implementing quality systems including SPC, FMEA, and control plans
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and RCCA methodologies while standardizing processes, documentation, and training
• Lead root cause investigations, drive cost reduction, value engineering, and waste elimination, and optimize overall equipment effectiveness and supply chain interactions
• Work with contract manufacturers, supply chain, and quality to ensure assemblies to build the MC are produced cost-effectively and tested to ensure required quality is achieved
• Promote a safety-first culture, ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations, and support safe equipment design practices
• Implement sustainable manufacturing practices and ensure responsible management of hazardous materials 

• 15+ years in manufacturing engineering, including 7+ years in leadership roles.
• Proven experience scaling production from prototype to high-volume manufacturing.
• Extensive experience managing work and solving problems on the factory floor.
• Background in battery, solar, semiconductor, precision equipment, advanced automation, or similar high tech industry.
• Experience building and leading multidisciplinary teams across multiple sites in different geolocations.

• Deep knowledge of manufacturing processes across diverse materials.
• Strong experience in automation, robotics, and equipment development.
• Expertise in EVT/DVT/PVT and IQ/OQ/PQ processes.
• Experience with MES, ERP, PLM, and digital manufacturing systems.
• Familiarity with metrology systems and AI/ML applications in manufacturing.

• Strong executive presence and communication skills.
• Ability to lead through ambiguity and drive organizational change.
• Strategic thinker with strong execution and project management capabilities.
• Ability to travel (10–20%) and support multiple sites.
• Experience in fast-paced, scaling environments with evolving priorities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field required; Master’s preferred.