Head of Production

MRINetwork Jobs; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

MRINetwork Jobs is seeking a senior manufacturing leader for autonomous vehicle systems at our Seattle-area facility. This on-site role requires hands-on leadership of production operations to scale from development to high-volume production, ensuring quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in manufacturing, 5+ in senior leadership, and experience with autonomous systems or robotics in a high-growth environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years in manufacturing/production, 5+ in senior leadership.
• Experience in autonomous systems, robotics, aerospace, or defense manufacturing.
• Startup or high-growth experience valued.

Responsibilities

• Own and scale production operations for autonomous vehicle systems on-site.
• Develop quality control and safety/compliance programs aligned with OSHA.
• Lead lean manufacturing initiatives to reduce waste and increase throughput.
• Collaborate with engineering, supply chain, and program leadership to meet milestones.
• Scale processes to meet growing vehicle volumes while maintaining reliability.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Cross-functional leadership

Startup experience

Robotics manufacturing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

Autonomous Vehicles | Hardware Startup

Overview

Our client is building next-generation autonomous ground vehicles designed to operate in complex, real-world environments. As a fast-growing hardware startup, the company is moving quickly from development into scaled production, and this role is critical to making that transition successful.

We are seeking a senior, hands‑on manufacturing leader to own and scale production operations for advanced autonomous vehicle systems. This role will be responsible for ensuring exceptional quality, safety, and compliance while partnering closely with engineering, supply chain, and program leadership to bring cutting‑edge autonomous platforms from design into reliable, repeatable production.

This is an on‑site leadership role based at our Seattle-area production facility and requires regular presence on the manufacturing floor.

Key Responsibilities

Quality, Safety & Compliance

Develop and enforce rigorous quality control systems to ensure every vehicle meets mission‑critical performance standards.

Champion a safety‑first culture, ensuring full compliance with OSHA and all applicable safety regulations.

Maintain compliance with relevant regulatory, environmental, and operational requirements.

Manufacturing Operations

Oversee day‑to‑day production floor activities and facility operations at the Seattle manufacturing location.

Lead the implementation of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and increase throughput.

Scale production processes to support growing vehicle volumes while maintaining quality and reliability.

Cross‑Functional Execution

Work closely with hardware and software engineering teams to transition new autonomous vehicle designs into production efficiently.

Partner with supply chain teams to manage material availability, supplier performance, and lead times.

Collaborate with program and operations leaders to ensure delivery milestones and customer commitments are met.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

Master’s degree preferred.

10+ years of experience in manufacturing or production operations, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role.

Experience in autonomous systems, robotics, aerospace, or defense‑related manufacturing strongly preferred.

Prior experience in a startup or high‑growth environment is highly valued.

Skills & Competencies

Demonstrated success building and scaling production lines for complex hardware systems.

Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, tooling, and quality systems.

Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and align engineering, operations, and supply chain functions.

Comfortable operating in ambiguity and driving structure in a rapidly evolving startup environment.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This is a hands‑on leadership role requiring regular presence on the production floor, including interaction with tools, equipment, and vehicle systems. Occasional travel may be required for supplier visits or customer engagements.