Head of Hardware Production

We are seeking a Head of Hardware Production to lead a team of technicians responsible for the manufacturing and assembly of our Carbon printers and accessories. This role is critical to scaling our production operations while maintaining our commitment to Safety, Quality, and Cost efficiency—in that priority order. The ideal candidate is a disciplined, detail-oriented leader who thrives in a hands-on manufacturing environment and knows how to build, inspire, and motivate high-performing teams. Reporting to the SVP of Operations, this individual will own the end-to-end production process, drive continuous improvement, and ensure our products meet the highest standards before reaching customers worldwide.

This role is based in our Redwood City office (moving to Sunnyvale in Q2 and this role will be spending time at both our Thomas Rd and Borregas locations) and you will be expected to be in-office 5 days per week.

What You Will Do

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, hire, onboard, and develop a team of manufacturing technicians, building a culture rooted in accountability, pride in craftsmanship, and continuous learning.
• Set clear performance expectations and conduct regular coaching sessions, performance reviews, and skills assessments to elevate individual and team capabilities.
• Foster a positive, motivated work environment where team members feel valued and engaged, resulting in strong retention and morale.
• Create training programs and cross-training plans to ensure workforce flexibility and depth across all production stations.

Safety

• Champion a safety-first culture on the production floor, ensuring compliance with all OSHA regulations and company safety policies.
• Conduct regular safety audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations; implement corrective and preventive actions promptly.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) that prioritize operator safety in every production task.
• Track and report safety metrics, driving toward zero-incident goals through proactive hazard identification and mitigation.

Quality

• Own product quality throughout the manufacturing and assembly process, ensuring every product meets rigorous quality standards before shipment.
• Implement and manage quality control checkpoints, inspection protocols, and testing procedures at critical stages of production.
• Collaborate with Ops Engineering and Quality teams to resolve defects, perform root cause analysis, and drive corrective actions.
• Monitor yield rates, and first-pass quality metrics, using data to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Cost & Operational Efficiency

• Manage production budgets, labor costs, and material utilization to meet or exceed cost targets without compromising safety or quality.
• Identify and implement process improvements using Lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste, improve throughput, and increase efficiency.
• Plan and manage production schedules, capacity, and resource allocation to meet delivery commitments and customer demand.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Planning to optimize inventory levels and ensure timely availability of components and materials.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Reporting

• Serve as the primary liaison between the production floor and the Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to ensure seamless product launches and design-for-manufacturability feedback.
• Participate in new product introduction processes, contributing manufacturing insights during design reviews and pilot builds.
• Provide regular production status reports, KPIs, and escalation updates to the SVP of Operations.

Qualifications

Required:

• 8+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production role, with demonstrated success leading teams of technicians or production operators.
• Proven ability to build, develop, and motivate high-performing teams in a hands-on manufacturing environment, with a track record of maintaining safe production environments
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to understand complex electromechanical assemblies and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated discipline and meticulous attention to detail in managing production operations, documentation, and quality systems.
• Experience managing production budgets, schedules, and resource planning.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Nice to Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Understanding of workplace safety regulations (OSHA)
• Lean manufacturing certification (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt).
• Experience with ISO 9001 or similar quality management systems.
• Background in 3D printing, additive manufacturing, or precision hardware production.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and production tracking tools.
• Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Carbon, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

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At Carbon, we look at the person holistically and carefully consider a wide range of factors when determining salary. The compensation bracket for this position is $176,000 - $264,000 (per year). In order to maintain equitable internal pay practices, we aim to hire new employees near the midpoint of $220,000 taking into account your experience, work location, certifications, and the unique skills you bring to the role. If you are not based in our Redwood City office, the range above will be adjusted for the geographical differential associated with your actual work location.

For more information on how we modify your pay based on your location, please refer to our geographic differentials chart.

Carbon also offers to our eligible employees a comprehensive total rewards package that includes equity, benefits, and time off programs. For details on our total rewards package, visit https://www.carbon3d.com/about/life-at-carbon.

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