Head of Manufacturing

Role Overview

We are looking for a Head of Manufacturing to build the systems, processes, and partnerships that will take our hardware from development builds to repeatable production.  This is a hands-on, 0 to 1 leadership role for someone who can develop the manufacturing strategy while staying close to the practical industrialization and build challenges required to execute it.

You’ll lead the development and execution of Arbor’s manufacturing roadmap across critical component production, subassemblies, skid and module assembly, integration, and final system delivery.  Working closely with engineering, you’ll translate novel system designs into a scalable manufacturing approach.

You’ll help create the manufacturing model, make grounded recommendations about where and how work should occur, and establish the operating discipline Arbor needs for its next stage of growth.

This role is based at Arbor’s headquarters in El Segundo, CA, and requires regular in-person work at HQ, test site (in San Bernardino, CA), supplier and manufacturing-partner locations, and future facilities.  Travel will evolve with the company’s manufacturing footprint and project needs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead Arbor's manufacturing strategy and scale-up roadmap from development builds through repeatable production.
• Translate product and system designs into practical manufacturing plans that improve manufacturability, cost, quality, reliability, serviceability, and production readiness.
• Evaluate and recommend make-versus-buy, vertical-integration, supplier, manufacturing-partner, and facility strategies as Arbor grows.
• Lead the production strategy for critical components, including additive manufacturing, machining, post-processing, inspection, qualification, and downstream integration.
• Establish approaches for process qualification, repeatability, yield improvement, and cost reduction across production-critical workflows.
• Build ramp and capacity plans covering equipment, tooling, staffing, supplier readiness, qualification cycles, inventory, spares, throughput, and project-delivery needs.
• Implement the production systems, work instructions, quality controls, traceability, configuration management, and change-control practices appropriate for each stage of scale.
• Coordinate an integrated manufacturing plan across Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, Facilities, test operations, suppliers, and manufacturing partners.
• Build manufacturing cost and capacity models, and partner with Finance to translate equipment, facility, supplier, and staffing needs into phased capital and operating plans.
• Create a clear operating cadence for manufacturing, surface tradeoffs early, and bring decision-ready recommendations to company leadership.
• Help define Arbor's manufacturing organization and priority capability gaps, building the team and partner network as production needs grow.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, industrialization, production engineering, or operations for complex hardware systems, including meaningful leadership responsibility.
• Experience taking first-of-a-kind or early-stage hardware from prototype or first article into repeatable production.
• Experience building manufacturing systems from the ground up, including process design, facility planning, supplier strategy, production systems, and operating cadence.
• Production or production-intent experience with additive manufacturing, including qualification, inspection, repeatability, yield, and downstream process integration.
• Strong working knowledge of machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, test, quality systems, and production readiness for complex hardware.
• Experience evaluating and implementing make-versus-buy, vertical-integration, and manufacturing-partner decisions.
• Ability to build cost, capacity, and capital models and connect manufacturing choices to technical, commercial, and company milestones.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and communication skills, including the ability to make complex manufacturing tradeoffs clear to technical and executive audiences.
• Comfort working hands-on in an early-stage environment while building the processes, partnerships, and team needed to scale.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant experience in turbomachinery, rotating equipment, pressure systems, energy hardware, aerospace, propulsion, industrial process equipment, or similarly demanding hardware environments.
• Manufacturing environments involving additive processes, machining, post-processing, welding, skidded systems, piping, electrical integration, and system-level test.
• Early-stage or high-growth companies where you remained close to the work while building the function.

Benefits & Compensation

• Pre-IPO stock options
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (Arbor covers 90% for employees)
• Basic life insurance fully covered
• Health savings account (HSA) with matching
• Flexible savings account (FSA)
• Unlimited PTO  
• 12+ company holidays, including Earth Day!  
• 401(k)
• Commuter benefits
• Annual learning and development stipend
• And more!

Base Pay: $200,000 - $220,000 USD/year. The salary is subject to the applicant's skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.