Head of Manufacturing

Forge Atomics

Humanity faces two critical challenges: securing reliable energy and aggressively lowering our environmental impact. At Forge, we believe nuclear fission is the key to solving both at once. Today Forge is developing the technology to rapidly scale the deployment of nuclear fission.

Head of Manufacturing

Forge is seeking a Head of Manufacturing to establish the manufacturing organization behind Ember, our first nuclear reactor, and grow it from its first hires into the team that builds reactors at rate. The role owns the factory end to end: the facility and its layout, the production cells that make components in house, final assembly of the reactor and its skid-based plant systems, acceptance test, and the manufacturing software that ties them together. The team will first build Ember Mini, our subscale non-nuclear prototype, then scale to full-size reactors in high-rate production. Successful candidates will have previously stood up production of complex hardware and led high-performing manufacturing teams.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, build, and lead a team of manufacturing engineers, test engineers, technicians, and factory operations specialists

• Own the factory itself: layout, facilities and utilities, equipment selection and installation, and bring-up of our first production site

• Own the design, bring-up, operation, and continuous improvement of in-house production cells (e.g., tube forming, machining, welding and fabrication, heat exchanger production, etc.)

• Own final assembly and acceptance test of the reactor and of skid-based plant systems, including electrical and pressure test

• Lead the team through all phases of the product life cycle, from first prototype builds through rate production, while ensuring all standards and requirements are upheld

• Own factory operations: production scheduling, material flow, and capacity and resource planning to meet build targets

• Select and implement manufacturing software for work instructions, build records, and traceability

• Establish the quality and code compliance practices needed to build pressure equipment, such as weld procedure and welder qualification

• Partner with design engineering to ensure new hardware meets manufacturability, inspectability, and cost goals

• Partner with supply chain on make-versus-buy decisions and material readiness for every production cell

• Develop and implement manufacturing and production metrics to measure and optimize productivity

• Ensure a strong focus on safety and maintain an excellent safety record

• Drive continuous improvement in quality, cost, and production rate

• Monitor and communicate factory status, readiness, and risks to leadership

• Develop and retain strong leaders and individual contributors

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production, or operations

• 2+ years of direct leadership or management experience leading engineers

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience standing up new production lines, test capability, or an entire factory from a clean sheet

• 4+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing environments transitioning products from development to production

• Hands-on experience on the factory floor identifying and implementing efficiency improvements

• Experience with process development and qualification, new product introduction, capacity and resource planning, and lean manufacturing

• Experience with design for manufacturability, assembly, inspectability, and reliability

• Experience specifying, buying, and commissioning capital equipment

• Experience with manufacturing and test processes such as precision machining, welding and fabrication, tube forming, heat exchanger production, or electrical and pressure testing of complex assemblies

• Ability to influence other organizations through engineering and business rationale and data

• Demonstrated record of improving production rate, quality, or cost through process improvements

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and coach growing leaders

Additional Requirements

• Position will be based in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County and will require relocation if not already local. The position will be full-time in the office.

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary

• Ability to travel to suppliers and reactor construction sites in other states as necessary

Compensation and Benefits

Pay range:

• Head of Manufacturing: $170,000.00 - $250,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Forge. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or stock options, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, paid vacation, paid parental leave, and various other perks. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

Forge is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Forge is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant's capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.