Manufacturing Specialist

Nexthop Systems Inc; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Nexthop Systems Inc is seeking a Manufacturing Specialist to lead day-to-day production operations, ensuring quality and continuous process improvement in a fast-paced environment. The role requires coordinating with engineering, supply chain, and operations to implement instructions and resolve production issues.

The candidate will oversee global contract manufacturers, drive lean initiatives, and support new product ramp-ups while upholding safety and reliability across on-site manufacturing

Qualifications

• Education: Degree in engineering or related technical field.
• Experience: 10–12 years in manufacturing engineering/operations.
• Industry: Electronics, networking hardware, or high-tech manufacturing.
• CM oversight: Experience managing global contract manufacturers.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily production activities and monitor assembly/test processes.
• Enforce quality and safety standards; perform root-cause analysis for defects.
• Document procedures and production records; train personnel on equipment and safety.
• Directly manage contract manufacturers across international sites.
• Support new product ramp-ups in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Manufacturing Engineering

Process Optimization

Lean & Quality Systems

Root Cause Analysis

Cross-functional Collaboration

On-site Manufacturing

Education

Relevant technical degree

10–12 years hands-on manufacturing experience

Tools

Engineering Drawings

Interdisciplinary Knowledge (Electrical/Electronics/Mechanical/Thermal)

Job description

Nexthop AI designs and engineers advanced networking products and solutions for Hyperscalers and NeoClouds. Headquartered in Santa Clara, CA—with additional global locations in Seattle, Vancouver, Dublin, and Bengaluru—the company combines collaborative product design with system and network engineering expertise to solve cutting-edge networking challenges.

We are hiring for a Manufacturing Specialist who manages day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure smooth production, strict quality adherence, and continuous process optimization. In this role, you will collaborate closely with engineering, supply chain, and operations teams to implement manufacturing instructions, resolve production issues, and support new product ramp-ups in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Operations & Production: Coordinate daily production activities and monitor assembly and test processes.
• Process & Quality Control: Enforce quality and safety standards, assist with root-cause analysis for defects, and optimize workflows for maximum efficiency and reliability.
• Documentation & Training: Document standard operating procedures, maintain production records, and train/onboard manufacturing personnel on new equipment, tools, and safety practices.
• Global CM Management: Directly manage Contract Manufacturers (CMs) across international sites.
• New Product Ramp-Up: Support the introduction and scaling of new high-tech hardware products.
  

Qualifications : Experience & Education

• Education: Relevant technical degree required.
• Experience: 10–12 years of proven, hands‑on experience in manufacturing engineering and operations.
• Industry Background: Direct experience in electronics, networking hardware, or high‑tech manufacturing environments required (high‑speed industrial networking hardware experience strongly preferred).
• CM Oversight: Required experience managing global Contract Manufacturers (CMs).

Technical Skills

• Strong background in Manufacturing Engineering, process optimization, and Lean methodologies/quality systems.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, engineering drawings, and work instructions across multiple disciplines (Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, and Thermal).
• Hands‑on approach to defect resolution, root‑cause analysis, and continuous improvement.

Soft Skills & Core Traits

• Hands‑On Mindset: Self‑motivated, company‑first attitude with a passion for diving deep into complex technical problems.
• Communication & Leadership: Strong verbal and written communication skills to collaborate across global teams and train technical personnel effectively.
• Attention to Detail: High standard for reliability, safety, and precision in an on‑site manufacturing setup.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the US without requiring employer sponsorship.