Velo3D

End-to-end metal 3D printing solutions

Director of Manufacturing

Manufacturing & Production OperationsConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeFremont, CA, USAHybrid

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, or a related field is required.
At least 10 years of manufacturing experience, including at least 5 years in additive manufacturing, is required.
Proven experience scaling manufacturing operations in a high-growth environment is required.
Strong understanding of additive manufacturing processes, materials, machine operation, and post-processing is required.
Experience with ISO/AS quality systems and public-company operational rigor, including documentation, controls, and audits, is required.
Demonstrated leadership of multifunctional manufacturing teams is required.
Experience with Lean/continuous improvement tools, including 5S, Kaizen, value stream mapping, and root-cause analysis, is required.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute manufacturing strategy aligned with company goals, customer requirements, and public-company operational expectations.
Lead day-to-day operations across additive printing, post-processing, machining, finishing, and assembly.
Build capacity models, production plans, and operating metrics to support revenue growth and product expansion.
Drive cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS, and Program Management.
Oversee production across metal and/or polymer additive manufacturing technologies, including SLS, MJF, DMLS/SLM, FDM, and SLA.
Ensure machine uptime, print quality, and process stability through preventive maintenance and calibration programs.
Implement Design for Additive Manufacturing feedback loops with Engineering.
Manage and mentor a growing team of supervisors, technicians, operators, and support staff.
Develop a high-performance team culture focused on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Lead workforce planning, hiring, and training programs to support scale.
Partner with Quality to maintain manufacturing readiness for audits, certifications, and regulatory requirements, including ISO 9001, AS9100, and applicable FDA/medical standards.
Ensure adherence to standard operating procedures, documentation, and lot/material traceability protocols.
Champion a strong safety culture and lead site EHS initiatives.
Drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and data-driven methodologies.
Optimize workflows, material flow, and facility layout for efficiency and scalability.
Establish key performance indicators for throughput, overall equipment effectiveness, scrap rates, cost per part, and scheduling accuracy.
Manage production budgets and contribute to forecasting for capital equipment, staffing, and operational costs.
Evaluate and implement new additive manufacturing technologies, software, automation tools, and post-processing equipment.
Oversee capital equipment acquisitions and the commissioning of new systems.

Desired Qualifications

Experience in aerospace, medical device, or industrial manufacturing regulated environments is preferred.
A master's degree (MBA or technical field) is preferred.
Six Sigma certification is preferred.
Experience with ERP/MES systems, such as NetSuite, Odoo, Epicor, or Dynamics, is preferred.

Position Overview:

The Director of Manufacturing is responsible for overseeing all manufacturing operations, including additive production, post-processing, materials management, quality control, maintenance, and continuous improvement. This role will build and optimize scalable processes, drive operational excellence, ensure regulatory and audit readiness, and lead the transition from prototype to full production. The ideal candidate thrives in a high-growth, fast-paced environment, and brings deep experience in additive manufacturing, operational scaling, and team leadership.

Responsibilities

Manufacturing Leadership & Strategy

Develop and execute the manufacturing strategy aligned with company goals, customer requirements, and public-company operational expectations.
Lead day-to-day operations across additive printing, post-processing, machining, finishing, and assembly.
Build capacity models, production plans, and operating metrics to support revenue growth and product expansion.
Drive cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS, and Program Management.

Additive Manufacturing Operations

Oversee production across metal and/or polymer AM technologies (e.g., SLS, MJF, DMLS/SLM, FDM, SLA).
Ensure machine uptime, print quality, and process stability through robust preventive maintenance and calibration programs.
Implement Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) feedback loops with Engineering.

People Leadership

Manage and mentor a growing team of supervisors, technicians, operators, and support staff.
Develop a high-performance team culture focused on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Lead workforce planning, hiring, and training programs to support scale.

Quality, Compliance & Safety

Partner closely with Quality to maintain manufacturing readiness for audits, certifications, and regulatory requirements (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, FDA/medical standards as applicable).
Ensure adherence to SOPs, documentation, and lot/material traceability protocols.
Champion a strong safety culture and lead site EHS initiatives.

Operational Excellence

Drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and data-driven methodologies.
Optimize workflows, material flow, and facility layout for efficiency and scalability.
Establish KPIs for throughput, OEE, scrap rates, cost per part, and scheduling accuracy.
Manage production budgets and contribute to forecasting for capital equipment, staffing, and operational costs.

Technology & Equipment Management

Evaluate and implement new AM technologies, software, automation tools, and post-processing equipment.
Oversee capital equipment acquisitions and the commissioning of new systems.

Requirements

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, or related field.

10+ years of manufacturing experience, including 5+ years in additive manufacturing.

Proven experience scaling manufacturing operations in a high-growth environment.

Strong understanding of AM processes, materials, machine operation, and post-processing.

Experience with ISO/AS quality systems and public-company operational rigor (documentation, controls, audits).

Demonstrated leadership of multi-functional manufacturing teams.

Experience with Lean/CI tools (5S, Kaizen, VSM, root-cause analysis).

Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills

Preferred

Experience in aerospace, medical device, or industrial manufacturing regulated environments.
Master’s degree (MBA or technical field).
Six Sigma certification.
Experience with ERP/MES systems (e.g., NetSuite, Odoo, Epicor, Dynamics).

About the Company:

Velo, Velo3D, Sapphire and Intelligent Fusion are registered trademarks of Velo3D, Inc. Without Compromise, Flow, Flow Developer, and Assure are trademarks of Velo3D, Inc.

With the only SupportFree laser powder bed fusion capability, we enable on-demand manufacturing of production quality Titanium, Inconel, and Aluminum parts with an unprecedented degree of design freedom and quality control. The VELO3D award-winning solution includes an integrated offering of hardware and software: Sapphire® metal AM production printer, Flow™ print preparation software, Assure™ quality assurance and control system, and an integrated manufacturing process that runs throughout the printing operation.

Our team enjoys excellent benefits including healthcare coverage and 401(K) employer contributions. We believe in transparency and recognizing exceptional efforts through our monthly all-hands meetings and team member appreciation awards.

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The starting base salary for this full-time position is between $180,000 and $220,000. This salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target for this position in the U.S. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as work experience, job-related skills, related education, work location, and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. In addition to a competitive base salary and a comprehensive benefits package, this position may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and equity program, as applicable.

Velo3D provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to, and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on, race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

About the Company

Velo3D

End-to-end metal 3D printing solutions

Velo3D provides metal additive manufacturing solutions, offering an end-to-end system that combines advanced Sapphire 3D printers, software, and services to produce complex metal parts that traditional methods can’t create. The printers, paired with software and ongoing support, enable a seamless workflow from design to finished component. A key differentiator is their integrated approach plus the ability to qualify new materials, such as copper alloys, expanding the range of applications in high-tech fields like aerospace, energy, and industrial manufacturing. The company aims to help customers innovate faster by enabling production of parts that were previously un manufacturable, growing through sales of printers and subscription-like software and maintenance services.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Fremont, CA
Founded: 2014

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