Prototype-to-Production Leader (Launch Division)

Motivo; Compton (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Motivo is seeking a Prototype-to-Production Manager to lead and scale our Launch division, uniting engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and client delivery to ensure manufacturability, readiness, and unit economics are built into product decisions from the start.

You will own the transition from prototypes to production, drive a matrixed team, and shape the future of Motivo’s Launch capability with clear growth paths and measurable impact.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, operations, NPI, or product realization.
• Experience transitioning from development builds to pilot production, with responsible planning and cross‑functional execution.
• Ability to build or formalize operating systems and governance in scaling environments.
• Strong command of DFM, DFA, process validation, PFMEA, and production line design.
• Knowledge of supplier qualification, sourcing strategy, cost structure, negotiations, and planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead launch operations across manufacturing, engineering, sourcing, fabrication, and program execution to ensure manufacturability and production readiness.
• Define and deploy Motivo’s Minimum Viable Line (MVL) for low-rate initial production and learning before scale.
• Build production readiness into design processes with gates, pilot objectives, and handoffs.
• Make senior trade-off decisions balancing product intent and production realities.
• Develop batch-build and production readiness cost estimation models and rules of thumb.
• Expand a resilient supply base and negotiate with suppliers for prototyping and low-volume production.
• Define systems roadmap for fit-for-purpose tools (ERP/PLM/MES) to support Launch maturity.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Program leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

DFM/ DFA knowledge

Supply chain awareness

Risk & planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

ERP systems familiarity

Manufacturing automation tools

Job description

Motivo is seeking a Prototype-to-Production Manager to lead and scale our Launch division, uniting engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and client delivery to ensure manufacturability, readiness, and unit economics are built into product decisions from the start.

You will own the transition from prototypes to production, drive a matrixed team, and shape the future of Motivo’s Launch capability with clear growth paths and measurable impact.