Hardware Manufacturing Engineer: Scale Prototypes to Production

KoBold Metals; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

KoBold Metals seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to turn prototype hardware into repeatable production systems. You will own the lab, shop floor, and receiving, manage BOMs and vendors, and collaborate with design engineers to ensure scalable, quality builds.

The role requires 3–5 years in hardware manufacturing and a mechanical/ manufacturing engineering background. You will drive build readiness, document procedures, and maintain safety and quality standards across the ATG.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in mechanical/manufacturing/industrial engineering or equivalent.
• 3–5 years in manufacturing, production, or hardware build engineering.
• Hands-on experience managing hardware builds and lab/shop environments.
• Experience with sourcing and vendor development; inventory/materials management.
• Knowledge of BOM management, revision control, and documentation control practices.
• Strong project management skills and ability to track multiple builds and deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate with design engineers to translate design intent into buildable processes.
• Familiarity with GD&T and reading engineering drawings.
• Willingness to work in a Berkeley-area office and travel up to 5–10%.
• Experience with NPI in hardware startups and MRPs/PLMs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage hardware builds from prototype to low-volume production.
• Track BOMs, part availability, and status to keep schedules.
• Identify and resolve manufacturing bottlenecks and DFM issues.
• Own lab and shop floor operations, equipment, tooling, and safety.
• Maintain and calibrate shop/test equipment; manage service schedules.
• Establish and enforce shop floor practices, workflows, and safety standards.
• Specify and source equipment; manage vendor relationships for timely delivery.
• Create and maintain build/deployment documentation and revision control.
• Support field deployment with clear instructions, calibrations, and validations.
• Ensure inventory is properly managed and parts are readily available.

Skills

Hardware builds

Vendor development

Inventory management

BOM management

Documentation control

Project management

Design collaboration

GD&T

Shop floor

Sourcing

Education

Mechanical engineering degree

Manufacturing engineering degree

Industrial engineering degree

Tools

Google Docs/Sheets

MRP/PLM system

Job description

KoBold Metals seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to turn prototype hardware into repeatable production systems. You will own the lab, shop floor, and receiving, manage BOMs and vendors, and collaborate with design engineers to ensure scalable, quality builds.

The role requires 3–5 years in hardware manufacturing and a mechanical/ manufacturing engineering background. You will drive build readiness, document procedures, and maintain safety and quality standards across the ATG.