Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Vecna Robotics; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Vecna Robotics is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer in the Boston area to scale manufacturing of autonomous mobile robots. This hands-on role focuses on improving manufacturability, process efficiency, and transitioning designs to scalable production.

You will work across R&D, manufacturing, and suppliers to ensure high quality, safety, and cost efficiency on legacy and new products. The ideal candidate is technically rigorous, detail-oriented, and capable of solving complex manufacturing

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical, Electrical, or related technical field.
• 5–10 years of experience in manufacturing engineering for electromechanical or robotics systems.
• Experience with DFM and NPIs; cross-functional collaboration.
• Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks) and familiarity with ERP/PLM systems (Empower).
• Hands-on production floor experience including process development and troubleshooting.
• Experience designing assembly processes, fixtures, or test systems.
• Lean manufacturing, yield improvement, and waste reduction knowledge.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills including trade studies and cost analyses.
• Excellent communication and ability to influence cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead DFM efforts and ensure smooth transition from R&D to production.
• Drive product cost reduction across products: BOM, labor, test costs, and unit cost.
• Own and improve production processes, SOPs, and training with internal teams and CM suppliers.
• Develop/test jigs, fixtures, and process improvements for scalability, quality, safety.
• Participate in PFMEAs, risk assessments, and design reviews with cross-functional teams.
• Perform root cause analyses on yield, scrap, and rework; implement corrective actions.
• Support MRB/NCMR investigations; coordinate follow-up with vendors or teams.
• Provide hands-on production support, troubleshoot issues, and scale solutions.
• Interface with contract manufacturers for quality and manufacturing improvements; support NPI.
• Contribute to assembler training on updated builds and processes.

Skills

DFM

NPI

Cost analysis

Lean manufacturing

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

CAD (SolidWorks)

ERP/PLM

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Empower (ERP/PLM)

Excel

Job description

Vecna Robotics is an intelligent, flexible material handling automation company that keeps goods moving. With award-winning technology engineered for uninterrupted work between autonomous mobile robots, labor, and systems, we make business go. As a company, we are driven by the vision of an efficient global supply chain where robots do the dirty work and people do the human work.

Vecna Robotics is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to support the scaling of technically complex autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). This is a hands‑on engineering role with direct involvement in improving manufacturability, increasing process efficiency, and supporting the transition of products from design to scalable production. The Senior Manufacturing Engineer plays a critical role in supporting both legacy and new product builds, ensuring the highest levels of quality, safety, and cost‑efficiency.

The ideal candidate is technically rigorous, detail‑oriented, and confident working cross‑functionally to solve complex manufacturing challenges.

This is a full‑time, salaried position based in Waltham, MA reporting to the Director of Manufacturing and Supply Chain Operations. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. We do not accept applications or inquiries from recruitment agencies or search firms for this position.

In this role, you will:

• Lead design‑for‑manufacturing (DFM) efforts and ensure a smooth transition from R&D to production.
• Run product cost reduction initiatives across assigned products, with accountability for BOM cost, labor and test cost, and total unit cost improvements
• Own and improve production processes, procedures, documentation (work instructions, SOPs) and training plans internally and collaboratively with contract manufacturers.
• Develop and implement test jigs, fixtures, and process improvements to improve scalability, quality, and safety.
• Participate in BOM development, PFMEAs, and risk assessments as part of cross‑functional design reviews.
• Collaborate cross functionally to perform root cause analysis on issues related to yield, scrap, and rework; drive corrective and preventative actions.
• Support and occasionally lead MRB/NCMR investigations and drive follow‑up actions with vendors or internal teams.
• Provide hands‑on support to production, troubleshoot manufacturing issues, and develop scalable solutions.
• Interface with contract manufacturers and vendors regularly for both quality and manufacturing improvements as well as for NPI support.
• Contribute to training of assemblers and technicians on updated builds and processes.
• Local travel required up to 20% to vendor locations.

What we are looking for:

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field
• 5-10 years of experience in manufacturing engineering for electromechanical or robotics systems
• Strong experience with DFM and NPI
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers
• Proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks) and familiarity with ERP/PLM systems (e.g., Empower)
• Hands‑on experience on the production floor, including process development and troubleshooting
• Experience designing and implementing assembly processes, fixtures, or test systems
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles, yield improvement, and waste reduction
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including ability to perform trade studies and cost analyses
• Excellent communication and ability to influence cross‑functional teams

Additional Information:

• Based in Waltham, MA
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Travel up to 20% to supplier and manufacturing partner sites

We are an equal opportunity employer. We encourage and celebrate diversity.