Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering - SMT/PCBA

Epirus is a high-growth technology company dedicated to overcoming the asymmetric challenges inherent to the future of national security. Epirus' flagship product, Leonidas, is a software-defined system built using intelligent power management techniques which allow power-hungry systems to do more with less.  

We are seeking a Senior Manager of Manufacturing to lead a high-performance production organization responsible for delivering world-class hardware at scale. This role is ideal for a leader who thrives in fast-paced, engineering-intense environments and who brings a strong bias toward action, continuous improvement, and rigorous operational discipline. You will own day-to-day factory operations, drive throughput and yield, develop manufacturing talent, and partner cross-functionally to ensure we build products with unmatched quality, speed, and reliability. You will operate at the intersection of hardware, automation, quality, and operational excellence. 

Operational Leadership 

• Lead all manufacturing operations including production, assembly, testing, material flow, and daily execution. 
• Translate company milestones into executable manufacturing plans with clear priorities and accountability. 
• Drive throughput, yields, schedule adherence, and cost targets through disciplined execution. 
• Build a culture of urgency, ownership, and problem-solving consistent with high-growth engineering organizations. 

Production Management 

• Optimize production lines for takt time, labor efficiency, and throughput. 
• Implement scalable processes that reduce variability and enable repeatable, high-quality builds. 
• Monitor KPIs and lead daily/weekly operational reviews to ensure performance to plan. 
• Serve as the escalation point for production issues and drive rapid resolution of blockers. 

Team Leadership & Development 

• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing manufacturing team across supervisors, leads, and operators. 
• Implement robust training, certification, and cross-training programs to maximize capability and flexibility. 
• Cultivate a safety-first culture with a deep commitment to continuous improvement. 

Manufacturing Engineering & Process Excellence 

• Partner with ME, Quality, Supply Chain, and Design Engineering to scale up new products and processes for production. 
• Lead factory readiness for new product introduction (NPI), including line layout, tooling, equipment, and staffing. 
• Drive systematic root cause analysis and corrective actions (DMAIC, 8D, A3). 
• Champion process documentation and standardization through high-quality work instructions and manufacturing procedures. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Work closely with Supply Chain on material readiness, constraints, and supplier quality issues. 
• Partner with Quality to maintain world-class standards and drive improving FPY and DPPM. 
• Collaborate with Engineering to ensure manufacturability (DFM) and rapid design iteration. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or equivalent; advanced degree preferred. 
• 6+ years of progressively responsible experience in hardware manufacturing, with 4+ years leading teams. 
• Proven success scaling production in fast-paced, engineering-driven environments. 
• Strong background in lean manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and structured problem-solving. 
• Experience with work order systems, MES, ERP, and real-time production reporting tools. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives with urgency and precision. 

• Experience in aerospace, defense, EVs, robotics, or high-complexity electromechanical hardware. 
• Background in automation, robotics integration, or advanced manufacturing technologies. 
• Prior experience improving manufacturability through tooling, fixtures, or process optimization. 
• Strong data skills: ability to interpret KPIs and use data to guide decisions. 
• Ability to scale teams from early-stage prototype operations to full-rate production. 

Additional Requirements 

• Ability to travel up to 10%, including potential international travel.  
• Flexibility to adapt to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment.  

ITAR REQUIREMENTS 

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.   

At Epirus, you’ll work with technical peers and great people—and get first crack at some of the defining technology challenges of our time. Here, “impossible” is just a challenge. We're a diverse, fast-growing team of change-makers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions. Join us and rewrite the rules.