Manufacturing and Lab Operations Lead

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced operations professional to build and own our Manufacturing Prototyping Lab Management and Supply Chain function. This role is a foundational hire as we transition from early prototypes to repeatable robot builds and growing field deployments.

The Manufacturing Prototyping and Lab Operations Lead will sit at the intersection of hardware engineering and robot operations owning the systems spaces parts and technician workflows that enable fast iteration reliable builds and continuous learning. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for standing up our first dedicated prototyping lab and manufacturing space while also building the operational backbone needed to scale.

You will work closely with Hardware Engineering Robot Operations and company leadership to turn physical operations into a durable competitive advantage.

Core Responsibilities:

Prototyping Lab & Manufacturing Space

• Design stand up and operate the companys initial prototyping lab and manufacturing space.
• Define layouts and workflows for assembly testing repair and prototyping
• Specify procure and maintain manufacturing and prototyping equipment
• Establish lab safety standards operating procedures and ongoing readiness

Inventory Parts and Asset Management

• Own parts inventory accuracy including regular audits stock levels and location tracking
• Define reorder points and lightweight supply planning processes
• Track serialized components assemblies and robots across build field use and repair

PDM / PLM and Supplier Management

• Implement and own a right-sized PDM/PLM system
• Define part numbering revision control and release processes
• Maintain a single source of truth for parts assemblies and documentation
• Track suppliers lead times costs and quality issues

Technician Management Build Test Repair and Prototyping

• Manage technicians responsible for robot build test repair and refurbishment
• Manage prototyping technicians operating in-house manufacturing equipment
• Define standard work instructions procedures and checklists
• Balance speed quality safety and learning across technician workflows
• Create feedback loops between technicians engineering and operations

Required Qualifications:

• 7 years of experience in operations manufacturing hardware engineering support or related roles
• Hands-on experience in manufacturing prototyping lab or shop environments
• Strong familiarity with mechanical and/or electrical hardware systems
• Experience managing technicians or frontline manufacturing staff
• Experience setting up or running labs shops or manufacturing spaces
• Practical experience with inventory management and physical asset tracking
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to operate in ambiguity and build systems from scratch
• Safety-conscious and comfortable owning physical risk in lab and manufacturing environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience at an early-stage robotics hardware or deep-tech startup
• Experience implementing PDM/PLM systems (e.g. Arena Propel Windchill or similar)
• Experience working with contract manufacturers or scaling from prototype to production
• Familiarity with supply chain planning and vendor management
• Background in mechanical engineering electrical engineering or a closely related field
• Experience designing standard work and continuous improvement processes
• Comfort moving between hands-on execution and higher-level system design

Walden Robotics offers a competitive total compensation program including salary annual cash bonus company equity company-subsidized insurance programs 401(k) with company match flexible PTO daily lunch and other benefits. The pay ranges noted on our posts are for salary only.

Walden Robotics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age ancestry color family or medical care leave gender identity or expression genetic information marital status medical condition national origin physical or mental disability political affiliation protected veteran status race religion sex (including pregnancy) sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process please send a request to .

Walden Robotics participates in E-Verify. If you receive an offer of employment from Walden you will need to go through the E-Verify process of digital verification of your employment authorization documents as provided on the Form I-9. Participation in E-Verify does not limit your right to work and verification will only be completed after you become

Required Experience:

Manager