Manufacturing Project Manager

Mesodyne is scaling Light Cell from small-batch assembly to real production, and we need someone to keep every moving piece of that transition on track. As Manufacturing Project Manager, you'll own the schedules, milestones, and cross-functional coordination that turn our manufacturing roadmap into shipped product — working across internal production, vendor partners, R&D, and quality to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

This is a hands-on coordination role for someone who's as comfortable on the assembly floor as they are running a project plan. You'll report into manufacturing leadership and work closely with our CTO, CGO, Chief Engineer, and the broader operations team.

WHY NOW

We're moving from tens of units a year to hundreds, with more scale to follow. Over the next 18 months, that means:

• Scaling output without sacrificing quality
• Replacing hand-assembly with documented, repeatable processes
• Standing up a network of precision vendors (brazing, metal fab, electronics, coatings)
• Hitting delivery and cost targets as the design matures
• Building the operational rigor to support contract manufacturing down the road

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Drive manufacturing projects end to end

Own project plans for assembly ramp-up, process improvements, and new vendor onboarding. Track milestones, flag risks early, and keep timelines realistic and honest.

Coordinate across teams

Be the connective tissue between R&D, quality, supply chain, and the shop floor. Make sure design changes, vendor issues, and production constraints don't surprise anyone.

Own Supply Chain Management and Manage vendor timelines

Track deliverables from fabrication, brazing, coatings, and electronics vendors. Escalate delays before they become crises. Keep a clear picture of who owes what, by when.

Build the systems that keep us organized

Stand up production tracking, scheduling, and visual management tools appropriate for our stage. Keep documentation current so anyone can see project status at a glance.

Support quality and delivery

Help enforce quality checkpoints throughout assembly and testing. Track corrective actions to closure. Keep an eye on how project decisions affect delivery timelines and cost.

Report up and out

Give leadership a clear, honest read on where projects stand — on schedule, at risk, or off track — and what it'll take to fix it.

WHAT YOU BRING

Must-haves

• BS in Supply Chain Management or Engineering with relevant experience
• 3+ years in supply chain, procurement, or vendor management, ideally in a manufacturing environment
• A proven track record sourcing, qualifying, and managing vendors — from initial sourcing through ongoing relationship management
• Hands-on experience with inventory management and controls (stocking levels, cycle counts, reconciliation)
• Comfort managing purchase orders, invoices, and procurement processes in a fast-moving environment
• Strong negotiation skills and a track record of managing cost without sacrificing quality or delivery
• Comfort making calls with incomplete information

Nice-to-haves

• Startup experience (20–200 people)
• Experience in advanced batteries, aerospace, optics, photonics, semiconductor, or other precision or specialty manufacturing
• Knowledge of any of the following: brazing, welding, high temperature materials, advanced ceramics, optomechanical systems, optical coatings, vacuum systems, semiconductors, microfabrication, and semiconductor packaging
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems or lightweight/home-built systems inventory and procurement
• Familiarity with supplier quality management and performance metrics

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive base salary, commensurate with experience