Manufacturing Engineering Program Manager
$120k - $140k USD
Job Description
Fauna Robotics is looking for a Manufacturing Engineering Program Manager to own execution across supply chain, vendor management, and build operations as we take our robots from prototype into repeatable production. This role sits at the center of engineering, operations, and manufacturing, driving build readiness, managing external suppliers and contract manufacturers (CMs), and ensuring our in-house builds run on schedule with high quality.
You’ll be responsible for making sure parts show up on time, vendors perform, builds run smoothly, and manufacturing issues get resolved quickly and permanently.
Key Responsibilities
Supply Chain Execution
Own end-to-end material readiness for builds: forecasting, purchasing coordination, kitting, and shortages management
Maintain clear build BOM status and track long lead items, alternates, and risks
Partner with engineering to ensure designs are buildable, sourceable, and stable for production
Drive material cost reduction efforts through vendor negotiation, alternate sourcing, and design-for-cost inputs
Coordinate inbound logistics, inventory planning, and basic warehouse/stockroom processes as needed
Vendor & Supplier Management
Own supplier communication for critical mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical components
Manage RFQs, quoting cycles, lead times, payment terms, and delivery schedules
Develop supplier scorecards (quality, delivery, responsiveness, cost) and drive supplier performance improvements
Coordinate supplier corrective actions for issues such as defects, late delivery, and recurring failures
Identify and onboard new suppliers as requirements evolve (machining, sheet metal, injection molding, PCBAs, harnessing, etc.)
Build Management
Plan and drive execution of internal builds: EVT/DVT/PVT, pilot builds, and production runs
Own build schedules, readiness gates, work instructions, tools/fixtures coordination, and staffing planning
Work directly with technicians and engineers to unblock builds in real time
Track yields, rework rates, failures, and manufacturing blockers with clear prioritization and urgency
Lead build postmortems and drive corrective actions into design, process, tooling, or supplier changes
Manage CM builds including schedule, material readiness, build reports, and quality escapes
Ensure CM deliverables match cost, quality, and timeline expectations
Qualifications
Required
5+ years in manufacturing program management, supply chain program management, NPI, or manufacturing engineering leadership
Strong project management skills: timelines, risk management, issue tracking, stakeholder updates
Comfort working in a fast-moving environment with high ambiguity and frequent change
Proven ability to manage suppliers, lead times, quoting, and vendor performance
Nice-to-have Qualifications
Experience with robotics, automotive, consumer electronics, drones, or other complex electromechanical systems
Experience managing contract manufacturers (domestic and/or overseas)
Familiarity with DFM/DFA, tolerance stackups, inspection methods, and assembly process development
Familiarity with PCBA manufacturing, harnessing, and test infrastructure
Experience with production tooling and fixture development
Compensation
$120K-140k/yr, plus equity