Sr. Manager, Manufacturing

Toyota Racing Development USA; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Toyota Racing Development USA seeks a Sr. Manager, Manufacturing to lead TRD’s manufacturing operations, including Engineering, Production Control, and Quality, totaling around 40 staff from engineers to technicians.

The role emphasizes hands‑on leadership on the floor, process definition for high‑precision components, and driving KPIs and continuous improvement across multiple functions. Travel up to 10% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Operations Management (Master’s is a plus).
• 10+ years of experience in a high‑precision, automated, 5‑axis CNC environment, including 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Hands‑on experience with manufacturing process definition, optimization, production scheduling, and inspection methods.
• Proven track record managing within an OEE‑measured environment with a metrics‑and‑data‑driven mindset.
• Advanced experience in complex, tight‑tolerance, 5‑axis high‑speed milling.
• Understanding and use of shop‑floor and business management software (ERP, MRP, etc.).
• Proven experience leading 40+ team members across multiple functions, including managing managers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage TRD’s manufacturing operation, balancing long‑term strategic direction with short‑term goals and KPIs.
• Oversee Manufacturing Engineering for complete process definition; provide hands‑on technical support with 5‑axis CNC, tooling, fixturing, and process definition across a mixed product range.
• Oversee Production Control for two workstreams; drive schedule performance and KPIs, including OEE targets ≥80% across 18+ high‑precision 5‑axis CNC machines.
• Oversee Quality Control for detailed inspection of tight‑tolerance components and supplier quality across a global supply chain.
• Coordinate with Planning/Purchasing, Design Engineering, Race Engine Build, Commercial Assembly, and EHS on safety and manufacturing matters.
• Evaluate, develop, and implement new technologies — automation, robotics, and AI‑assisted tools — to improve efficiency, quality, and capability.

Skills

Leadership

CNC expertise

5‑axis milling

Production scheduling

OEE & KPI mindset

CAM/CAD tooling

HyperMill

Creo

Vericut

AI tools familiarity

Manufacturing engineering

Excel/MS Office

Fixtures/tooling design

Multi‑stream scheduling

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Operations Management

Master’s degree (plus)

Tools

HyperMill

Creo

Vericut

Job description

To save time applying, Toyota does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas or any other work authorization for this position at this time.

Toyota Racing Development (TRD) is seeking a Sr. Manager, Manufacturing to join our team. We are dedicated to advancing motorsports engineering and delivering world‑class performance, and this role is integral to our pursuit of becoming the most respected motorsports engineering organization.

Direct responsibility includes equipment evaluation and selection, ROI and capital justification, process and automation development, facility planning, and personnel planning across the operation. The successful candidate will provide strategic vision, leadership, and accountability for the operation, overseeing the Managers of Manufacturing Engineering, Production Control, and Quality — leading a total team of approximately 40 members ranging from postgraduate engineers to shop‑floor technicians.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage TRD’s manufacturing operation, operating with a “see, touch, feel” leadership philosophy — engaged on the floor and with the teams — while balancing long‑term strategic direction with short‑term goals and key performance metrics.
• Oversee TRD’s Manufacturing Engineering group, responsible for complete process definition of TRD‑manufactured components. Provide technical support through hands‑on experience with advanced CNC programming, tooling, fixturing, and process definition across a product mix ranging from high‑tolerance, full 5‑axis race components to higher‑volume commercial components.
• Oversee TRD’s Production Control group, responsible for scheduling and execution across two workstreams: low‑volume, high‑precision, short‑lead‑time race engine components and higher‑volume commercial components. Drive production performance against established KPIs, including OEE targets of ≥80% across 18+ high‑precision, 5‑axis CNC machines.
• Oversee TRD’s Quality Control group, responsible for detailed inspection of tight‑tolerance race components manufactured in‑house and sourced through a global supply chain. Build an inspection culture that supports internal customers and external suppliers and raises overall component quality.
• Coordinate and support other TRD departments, including Planning/Purchasing, Design Engineering, Race Engine Build, Commercial Assembly, and the TRD EHS Department on safety matters affecting the manufacturing operation.
• Evaluate, develop, and implement new technologies — including automation, robotics, and AI‑assisted tools — to improve efficiency, quality, and capability across the manufacturing operation.

Qualifications

A successful candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Operations Management (Master’s is a plus).
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in a high‑precision, high‑profile, automated, 5‑axis CNC environment, including 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Hands‑on experience with manufacturing process definition, optimization, production scheduling, and inspection methods.
• Proven track record managing within an OEE‑measured environment with a metrics‑and‑data‑driven mindset.
• Advanced experience in complex, tight‑tolerance, 5‑axis high‑speed milling.
• Understanding and use of shop‑floor and business management software (ERP, MRP, etc.).
• Proven experience leading 40+ team members across multiple functions, including managing managers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced experience in CAM, CAD, and toolpath verification software; proficiency with HyperMill (TRD’s primary CAM platform) strongly preferred; experience with Creo and Vericut a plus.
• Familiarity with AI‑assisted tools (e.g., LLMs for analysis, documentation, and process improvement).
• Manufacturing experience working with billet, forging, and casting raw materials.
• Advanced MS Excel and broader MS Office suite proficiency.
• Experience designing, machining, and assembling production fixtures, tooling, and related components.
• Hands‑on experience generating complex production schedules across mixed‑volume, mixed‑complexity workstreams.

Travel Requirements

• This role requires up to 10% travel, primarily to TRD facilities and motorsports events.