Principal Manufacturing Engineer

What We Do at Verterra Energy

At Verterra Energy were on a mission to harness the power in the worlds rivers canals and oceans. To accomplish this we are commercializing our first device called VOLTURNUS a pioneering water-power technology that deploys in harmony with the current to capture baseline zero emission electricity.

Backed by top-tier investors and a multi-year government contract we are growing our founding team to help achieve key milestones. Partners and collaborators include: NIRON DoD DoE University of Minnesota WEG Group Beckhoff Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the US Army Corp of Engineers.

Recent press releases can be found on our website:

Verterra

Verterra is an R&D-driven energy technology company building real hardware that must operate in demanding water environments. As we transition from prototype systems to repeatable builds and early production we are establishing the manufacturing backbone required to scale reliably.

We are seeking a senior-level manufacturing leader who has built production systems end-to-end for complex electromechanical products - not just optimized a workstation within an existing factory.

Role Overview

You will architect and stand up Verterras production capability for full-system builds of the Volturnus hydrokinetic turbine.

This is whole-system ownership from beginning to end. You will not be developing the production process for one component of a larger machine - the equivalent of a sensor on an aircraft. You will own how the entire Volturnus gets built: structure composites drivetrain power electronics controls final assembly and end-of-line test. Very few manufacturing leaders ever get the opportunity to define production for a complete first-of-its-kind machine from a blank sheet - this is that opportunity.

This includes defining the production strategy facility layout assembly flow tooling quality systems supplier integration test strategy and ramp plan. You will work cross-functionally with electrical mechanical composites and test engineers to ensure designs are manufacturable and scalable.

This role requires someone who has personally led the transition from engineering builds to structured production and understands the realities of throughput takt time yield rework supply chain constraints and cost control.

Core Responsibilities

Production System Architecture

• Define the end-to-end production strategy for Verterra products
• Develop facility layout and material flow plans
• Design scalable assembly sequences and build flow
• Establish production cell structure and station design
• Define tooling fixtures and required capital equipment

DFM and Cross-Functional Integration

• Drive design-for-manufacturing reviews across mechanical electrical and composite systems
• Identify design changes required to reduce assembly complexity and variability
• Ensure tolerances stack-ups and interfaces support repeatable builds
• Work closely with engineering to prevent prototype-only thinking

Tooling Fixtures and Capital Equipment

• Specify design or oversee development of assembly tooling and production fixtures
• Define torque strategies bonding processes electrical integration processes etc.
• Evaluate and select capital equipment required for repeatable production
• Ensure production tools support safety ergonomics and repeatability

Supplier & Production Readiness

• Develop supplier qualification and incoming quality frameworks
• Define make-vs-buy strategies
• Work with suppliers to ensure manufacturability and consistent quality
• Establish inspection criteria and acceptance standards

Test & Validation in Production

• Define production test strategy for full-system validation
• Develop end-of-line test requirements and pass/fail criteria
• Ensure traceability and documentation standards are implemented
• Establish rework and failure analysis processes

Ramp & Scale

• Develop production ramp plans with throughput targets
• Define labor models and skill requirements
• Implement quality control systems appropriate for early production
• Reduce variability and improve yield over time
• Drive cost reduction initiatives without compromising reliability

Benchmarking & Outside Learning

• Identify and benchmark companies we can learn from - hardware startups that have made the prototype-to-production leap for complex electromechanical systems (marine energy eVTOL and aerospace defense hardware wind EV and similar) as well as established manufacturers who have done comparable work
• Use site visits peer conversations and published case studies to extract lessons on facility layout tooling quality systems supplier models and ramp strategy
• Adapt proven practices to Verterras product and scale rather than reinventing from scratch
• Build a network of peer manufacturing leaders Verterra can continue to learn from as production scales

Minimum Qualifications

• 18 years of manufacturing engineering experience
• Demonstrated experience leading the setup of a full product manufacturing line from concept through ramp
• Experience with complex electromechanical products (not just subassemblies or single components)
• Proven track record transitioning from prototype builds to structured production
• Deep understanding of production flow yield takt time throughput modeling and cost drivers
• Experience designing production tooling and fixtures
• Experience working cross-functionally with product engineering teams
• Strong understanding of quality systems and production documentation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in marine energy aerospace heavy equipment or similar durability-focused industries
• Experience building production capability inside a startup or early-stage company
• Experience setting up low-to-mid volume production (not just mass consumer scale)
• Experience with composite power electronics and mechanical system integration
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and production data tracking
• Track record of benchmarking other manufacturers and adapting best practices to a new production environment

What Success Looks Like

• Production flow is defined documented and executable
• Assembly variability decreases over time
• Engineering designs become increasingly manufacturable
• Tooling and fixtures reduce build time and rework
• Production ramp occurs without structural quality failures
• Cost per unit trends downward as throughput increases
• Our production system reflects proven practices benchmarked from comparable companies adapted to Volturnus and our scale
• Verterra moves from engineering builds to disciplined production

Benefits

• Medical dental and vision coverage
• Company-paid life disability and basic protection
• 401(k) with employer match
• Unlimited paid time off 2 weeks sick and safe leave
• 7 company-paid holidays: New Years Day (January 1) Memorial Day Fourth of July Labor Day Thanksgiving Day the Friday after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
• Stocked kitchen

Equal opportunity

Verterra Energy does not discriminate on the basis of race sex color religion age national origin marital status disability veteran status genetic information sexual orientation gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.