Prototype Vehicle Production Leader: R&D & Testing

Zoox; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 195,000 - 293,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Zoox in Fremont, CA seeks a Senior Manager of R&D Vehicle Production to lead prototype build lines and drive early vehicle stages toward serial readiness. You will own assembly, diagnostics, testing, and EOL, coordinating with Vehicle Development, Software, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams.

You will set priorities, manage budgets, and hire a capable team of technicians and supervisors, ensuring safe operations and rapid issue resolution to meet ambitious milestones.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in engineering, management, or related field.
• 15+ years in vehicle or complex electromechanical assembly manufacturing, including prototype, pilot, or NPI builds.
• 5+ years leading production teams, including supervisors or managers.
• Proven ability to lead hardware and software engineers to resolve build issues under schedule pressure.
• Working knowledge of vehicle systems (mechanical, electrical, high‑voltage, embedded software) and how they are built, diagnosed, and tested.
• Experience transitioning new products from prototype into serial production.
• Familiarity with MES, ERP, and QMS, and structured problem-solving (e.g., 8D, root cause analysis).
• Clear communicator who can present build status, risks, and trade‑offs to executives.

Responsibilities

• Own diagnostics, functional testing, and EOL validation. Deliver vehicles to fleet and engineering teams safely, complete, and on time.
• Implement repeatable build processes and keep accurate hardware and software configuration records for every vehicle. Ensure each vehicle meets quality and product specifications.
• Prepare and manage the line's OPEX, CAPEX, and headcount budgets. Identify investments that improve throughput, quality, and flexibility.
• Ensure MES and QMS support prototype builds, including traceability and issue tracking. Drive continuous improvement through the Zoox Production System.
• Hire, train, and develop technicians, leads, and supervisors. Set clear expectations and evaluate performance.
• Build a culture that puts employee and product safety first, in partnership with EHS. Enforce safe practices for high‑voltage systems and pre‑production vehicles.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication to executives

Problem-solving

Vehicle systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Management, or a related field

Tools

MES

ERP

QMS

Job description

Zoox in Fremont, CA seeks a Senior Manager of R&D Vehicle Production to lead prototype build lines and drive early vehicle stages toward serial readiness. You will own assembly, diagnostics, testing, and EOL, coordinating with Vehicle Development, Software, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams.

You will set priorities, manage budgets, and hire a capable team of technicians and supervisors, ensuring safe operations and rapid issue resolution to meet ambitious milestones.