VP of Autonomous Vehicle Manufacturing

Quest Talent Solutions, LLC; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Quest Talent Solutions, LLC's client seeks a senior, hands-on manufacturing leader to own and scale production for autonomous vehicle systems at a Seattle-area facility. The role requires regular presence on the factory floor and close collaboration with engineering, supply chain, and program leadership.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in manufacturing or production operations, including 5+ years in senior leadership, with experience in lean, Six Sigma, and quality systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing or production operations, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Experience in autonomous systems, robotics, aerospace, or defense-related manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in a startup or high-growth environment is highly valued.
• Demonstrated success building and scaling production lines for complex hardware systems.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, tooling, and quality systems.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and align engineering, operations, and supply chain functions.

Responsibilities

• Quality, Safety & Compliance: Develop and enforce rigorous quality control systems to ensure every vehicle meets mission-critical performance standards.; Champion a safety-first culture, ensuring full compliance with OSHA and all applicable safety regulations.; Maintain compliance with relevant regulatory, environmental, and operational requirements.
• Manufacturing Operations: Oversee day-to-day production floor activities and facility operations at the Seattle manufacturing location.; Lead the implementation of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and increase throughput.; Scale production processes to support growing vehicle volumes while maintaining quality and reliability.
• Cross-Functional Execution: Work closely with hardware and software engineering teams to transition new autonomous vehicle designs into production efficiently.; Partner with supply chain teams to manage material availability, supplier performance, and lead times.; Collaborate with program and operations leaders to ensure delivery milestones and customer commitments are met.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Quality systems

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing / Industrial Engineering

Job description

Quest Talent Solutions, LLC's client seeks a senior, hands-on manufacturing leader to own and scale production for autonomous vehicle systems at a Seattle-area facility. The role requires regular presence on the factory floor and close collaboration with engineering, supply chain, and program leadership.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in manufacturing or production operations, including 5+ years in senior leadership, with experience in lean, Six Sigma, and quality systems.