The Role

Reporting to the Head of Manufacturing Operations, the Plant Manager holds full accountability for day-to-day plant operations across Production, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, OpEx, HR, Finance, and EHS. This is a visible, present leadership role - one where operational discipline is modeled from the floor up. The Plant Manager sets the standard for how the facility operates, builds the systems and team structures that sustain quality at scale, and ensures execution is grounded in direct, firsthand knowledge of what is happening on the production floor.

The ideal candidate leads through direct engagement with operations - present on the floor, close to the work, and quick to mobilize around problems as they emerge. When disruptions arise -whether a line stoppage, a supplier shortfall, a quality excursion, or a build constraint - this leader diagnoses at the source, drives resolution in real time, and translates operational insight into lasting corrective action. Equally capable of strategic planning and tactical execution, this person bridges the floor and the boardroom with equal credibility.

What You'll Do

• Production Execution: Oversee assembly and testing processes.
• PCB and SMT Line Ownership: Direct SMT/PCB line for quality.
• SQDC Performance Management: Own plant metrics and improvements.
• Financial Stewardship: Manage budget, reduce costs.
• People Development and Team Leadership: Build and lead skilled teams.
• Continuous Improvement and Production System Governance: Deploy and sustain TPS practices.
• Capacity Planning and Production Scaling: Launch and optimize new production cells.
• New Product Introduction (NPI): Partner for production readiness.
• Vertical Integration and Insourcing: Insource processes, lead launches.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Liaison for manufacturing alignment.
• Environment, Health, and Safety: Ensure and reinforce safety compliance.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Community Representation: Represent company professionally to stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing operations experience, with meaningful time leading a plant floor or plant.
• 5+ years of management/supervisory experience with direct reports in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience in electromechanical assembly - mechanical fits, harnessing, wiring, actuators, sensors, and integrated test.
• Demonstrated lean/TPS fluency and a real continuous-improvement habit - not just certifications on paper.
• Ownership of SQDC metrics with a track record of improving them.
• Thorough understanding of financial practices including capital equipment analysis, cost accounting, budgeting, and project cost analysis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Automotive manufacturing experience is highly desired - we want the discipline, line rigor, and high-volume electromechanical assembly culture that strong automotive operators bring.
• Experience in robotics, automation, aerospace, or other high-mix / precision electromechanical environments.
• Demonstrated experience standing up or scaling a new line or facility from low to high volume.
• Familiarity with ERP/MES systems and building the data discipline to run a plant on metrics.
• Demonstrated ability to drive and lead change initiatives - challenges the status quo and champions continuous improvement.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $160,000 to $260,000. We are open to a variety of seniority levels for this role and will build compensation packages that are commensurate with seniority and skill level. Base salary is just one part of the overall compensation at Standard Bots. All Full-Time Employees are eligible for Employee Stock Options. We also offer a package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees.