Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering

Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering

Torrance, California, United States

Epirus is a high-growth technology company dedicated to overcoming the asymmetric challenges inherent to the future of national security. Epirus' flagship product, Leonidas, is a software-defined system built using intelligent power management techniques which allow power-hungry systems to do more with less.

We are seeking a Senior Manager of Manufacturing to lead a high-performance production organization responsible for delivering world-class hardware s role is ideal for a leader who thrives in fast-paced, engineering-intense environments and who brings a strong bias toward action, continuous improvement, and rigorous operational discipline. You will own day-to-day factory operations, drive throughput and yield, develop manufacturing talent, and partner cross-functionally to ensure we build products with unmatched quality, speed, and reliability.

You will operate at the intersection of hardware, automation, quality, and operational excellence.

Operational Leadership

• Lead all manufacturing operations including production, assembly, testing, material flow, and daily execution.
• Translate company milestones into executable manufacturing plans with clear priorities and accountability.
• Drive throughput, yields, schedule adherence, and cost targets through disciplined execution.
• Build a culture of urgency, ownership, and problem-solving consistent with high-growth engineering organizations.

Production Management

• Optimize production lines for takt time, labor efficiency, and throughput.
• Implement scalable processes that reduce variability and enable repeatable, high-quality builds.
• Monitor KPIs and lead daily/weekly operational reviews to ensure performance to plan.
• Serve as the escalation point for production issues and drive rapid resolution of blockers.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing manufacturing team across supervisors, leads, and operators.
• Implement robust training, certification, and cross-training programs to maximize capability and flexibility.
• Cultivate a safety-first culture with a deep commitment to continuous improvement.

Manufacturing Engineering & Process Excellence

• Partner with ME, Quality, Supply Chain, and Design Engineering to scale up new products and processes for production.
• Lead factory readiness for new product introduction (NPI), including line layout, tooling, equipment, and staffing.
• Drive systematic root cause analysis and corrective actions (DMAIC, 8D, A3).
• Champion process documentation and standardization through high-quality work instructions and manufacturing procedures.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Supply Chain on material readiness, constraints, and supplier quality issues.
• Partner with Quality to maintain world-class standards and drive improving FPY and DPPM.
• Collaborate with Engineering to ensure manufacturability (DFM) and rapid design iteration.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or equivalent; advanced degree preferred.
• 6+ years of progressively responsible experience in hardware manufacturing, with 4+ years leading teams.
• Proven success scaling production in fast-paced, engineering-driven environments.
• Strong background in lean manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and structured problem-solving.
• Experience with work order systems, MES, ERP, and real-time production reporting tools.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives with urgency and precision.

• Experience in aerospace, defense, EVs, robotics, or high-complexity electromechanical hardware.
• Background in automation, robotics integration, or advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Prior experience improving manufacturability through tooling, fixtures, or process optimization.
• Strong data skills: ability to interpret KPIs and use data to guide decisions.
• Ability to scale teams from early-stage prototype operations to full-rate production.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 10%, including potential international travel.
• Flexibility to adapt to a fast-moving and…