Manufacturing Engineer (Supply Chain)

Apptronik; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A robotics company in Austin is seeking a Supply Chain Engineer to improve quality and cost metrics related to robotic systems. The role involves collaboration with engineering and procurement teams, assessing supplier capabilities, and driving new part introductions. Ideal candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree and possess at least 5 years of experience in manufacturing or supply chain. The position is on-site only and emphasizes technical excellence and leadership.

Qualifications

• At least 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, supply chain engineering, or quality.
• Knowledge of electrical/electronic/electromechanical components.

Responsibilities

• Improve quality, cost, delivery, and capacity metrics for robotic systems.
• Collaborate to understand design intent.
• Support procurement by assessing supplier processes.
• Define and drive new part introductions and requirements.

Skills

Knowledge of processes used in wire harness assemblies

Proven track record of taking ownership of projects

Knowledge of statistical techniques

Exceptional analytical skills

Knowledge of supplier quality processes

Experience with quality systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or STEM discipline

Tools

MS Office

Excel

Job description

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.

We operate at the cutting edge of embodied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems.

You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.

Job Summary

Apptronik requires suppliers who provide cost efficient, on-time, and premium quality parts with rapidly evolving designs at increasingly ambitious volumes. We are actively looking for a Supply Chain Engineering candidate who possesses comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing, supply chain and quality tools and has an unrelenting motivation to enable suppliers and internal cross functional peers for success. This position will support our humanoid robotic programs and requires a combination of proven leadership and technical capabilities.

This is a technical position that requires practical experience in supply chain, manufacturing engineering and new product development through rate production for an array of parts and processes in the electrical, electronic, and electromechanical space used in robotic systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Improve quality, cost, delivery, and capacity metrics for wire harness assemblies, PCBAs, and other electromechanical hardware used in humanoid robotic systems.
• Collaborate with design, materials, and manufacturing engineers to gain an in-depth knowledge of piece part, assembly, metrology, and/or sub-system design intent.
• Support the procurement team to strategically source parts matched with supplier competencies by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems.
• Create and define supplier technical and quality requirements based on customer and program requirements and expectations for NPI and production phases.
• Own the new product introduction of new parts, including determining the ideal manufacturing method, identifying and qualifying suppliers, and developing a reliable process for ramping to rate. This individual is expected to be the extreme owner for the process at suppliers for new parts, drawing changes, or when re-sourcing existing parts to a new supplier.
• Lead resolution of supplier quality issues through root cause analysis, while functioning as liaison between purchasing, engineering, production, and suppliers.
• Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends and pinpoint systemic performance gaps and root causes to drive supplier improvement plans.
• Conduct independent research to identify potential new suppliers and capabilities in manufacturing and metrology.
• Identify and drive product & process improvements to lower part cost, reduce supply risk, eliminate potential defects, and improve cycle time.
• Define product technical and quality requirements, and ensure supplier compliance with these requirements.
• Effectively manage the supply chain by establishing excellent working relationships and regular lines of communication with suppliers.
• Demonstrate a strong sense of ownership, proactivity, technical excellence, creativity, self-direction, and courage.
• Create and disposition non-conformance and deviations where needed, working with engineering counterparts to implement, but not limited to, required re-work, repair or use as‑is dispositions.
• Lead containment activities on assigned parts, working with cross‑functional counterparts to agree on scope, path forward and ultimate resolution.

Skills and Requirements

• Knowledge of processes used in wire harness assemblies, PCB, PCBA, motor assemblies, actuators, and other electrical/electronic/electromechanical components.
• Proven track record of taking ownership of projects, negotiating successfully to reduce costs and improve processes, and influencing engineering customers to drive results.
• Knowledge of statistical techniques and methods (design of experiments, Six Sigma, etc.).
• Knowledge of metrology tools and techniques for measuring and characterizing parts.
• Knowledge of lean, production, and supply chain concepts.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, time management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to act quickly in a fast‑moving and high‑stress environment.
• Knowledge of supplier quality processes (production part approval process, advanced product quality planning, first article inspection reports, etc.).
• Experience with quality systems (ISO 9000/TS/AS9100/NADCAP) and MRP/ERP systems.
• Disciplined approach to problem solving – 8D.
• Proficient in MS Office and Excel applications and report writing.
• Ability to travel up to 30%.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in an engineering or STEM discipline. At least 5+ years of experience in at least one of the following disciplines: manufacturing, supply chain engineering, supplier development, quality.
• Preferred experience in design engineering in product areas such as wire harness assemblies, PCB, PCBA, motor assemblies, actuators, or other electrical/electronic/electromechanical components.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Hearing and speech to communicate.

Work From Home Details

• WFH Availability:
• [ ] Fully Remote
• [ ] Hybrid (Specify below)
• [x] On‑Site Only

Required On‑Site Days: (Example: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

• This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.

Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.