Primary Objective of PositionThe primary objective of the Concept Build Lead position is to help an integrated activation team translate product intent and learning objectives into safe, functional physical proofs and increasingly repeatable low-volume build methods. Working side by side with the Product Activation Lead and Product Coordinator, the position leads hands-on execution of mockups, mules, demonstrators, prototypes, and commercially committed validation units.
The role holds primary accountability for physical execution and build learning while helping the team collectively resolve product, configuration, sourcing, quality, cost, timing, and repeatability issues as evidence emerges.
Key Areas of Responsibility- Translate approved product intent, learning objectives, and build packages into a practical concept or validation-build plan.
- Work as one integrated activation team with the Product Activation Lead, Product Coordinator, and Concept Build Lead, jointly resolving customer, product, sourcing, configuration, build, quality, cost, and timing issues while maintaining clear accountability for each role's decisions and deliverables.
- Lead hands-on execution of mockups, mules, demonstrators, prototypes, and small-volume commercial-validation units.
- Coordinate fabrication, assembly, vehicle integration, troubleshooting, rework, finishing, and functional checks across internal and external resources.
- Direct defined production-line support and discrete Model Shop work packages while maintaining clear scope, timing, ownership, safety, and expected output.
- Work side by side with the Product Activation Lead and Product Coordinator to align product intent, learning priorities, approved configuration, material readiness, and build execution; surface physical constraints and jointly resolve trade-offs as they emerge.
- Engage Engineering Subject-Matter experts selectively to resolve safety, compliance, structural, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, vehicle-integration, and other technical questions.
- Identify and reuse existing assets, components, fixtures, methods, and supplier capabilities where doing so accelerates learning and avoids unnecessary development.
- Lead daily build coordination, issue triage, and practical problem-solving; distinguish temporary prototype solutions from repeatable product solutions.
- Document build issues, rework, key decisions, workmanship requirements, residual risks, and recommended product or process changes.
- Execute approved changes during pre-sold validation and provide build evidence to inform subsequent product decisions.
- Develop increasingly repeatable work instructions, fixtures, quality checks, labor assumptions, and build sequences as the product earns continued volume.
- Provide evidence on build repeatability, labor performance, quality, rework, tooling, facility, safety, and industrialization needs.
- Prepare build-process, workmanship, issue-history, and residual-risk documentation for transfer.
- Other responsibilities may be assigned based on business need.
Key Deliverables- Concept and validation-build execution plan
- Safe, functional prototypes, demonstrators, and validation units
- Daily build status and issue-resolution record
- Build issue, rework, and residual-risk log
- Unit-to-unit build-learning record
- Repeatable build sequence, work instructions, fixtures, and quality checks appropriate to the stage
- Actual labor, rework, quality, and repeatability evidence
- Build-process and industrialization transfer package
Knowledge & SkillsRequired- Education or comparable hands-on experience in Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, Skilled Trades, Product Development, Operations, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience building, modifying, integrating, troubleshooting, or repairing complex physical products or vehicles.
- Ability to convert incomplete product intent into a safe and practical build approach.
- Working knowledge of fabrication, assembly, tools, fixtures, materials, quality checks, and shop safety.
- Strong hands-on problem-solving and cross-functional leadership skills.
- Clear documentation of build learning, changes, and residual risk.
Desired- Experience in RV, automotive, commercial vehicle, specialty vehicle, durable goods, prototypes, or low-volume manufacturing.
- Experience leading mockups, mule, prototype, pilot, pre-production, or commercially committed validation builds.
- Functional understanding of vehicle systems, including structures, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, interiors, glazing, doors, and integration.
- Experience developing work instructions, fixtures, quality checks, labor assumptions, and repeatable low-volume build methods.
- Ability to execute from product drawings, approved build packages, CAD views, work instructions, and controlled configuration records.
Travel- Moderate travel in the United States to build locations, suppliers, partners, customers, validation activities, and industry events as required.
Role Orientation The Concept Build Lead is a builder-operator, not a BOM owner, prototype technician, or production supervisor. The Product Activation Lead, Product Coordinator, and Concept Build Lead operate as one integrated activation team and collectively work through customer, product, sourcing, configuration, build, quality, cost, and timing issues. Within that team, the Concept Build Lead is primarily accountable for safe physical execution, build issue resolution, workmanship, build learning, and repeatability. The Concept Build Lead actively shapes team decisions by surfacing physical constraints, alternatives, and build evidence rather than simply executing a completed handoff.
