Senior Manager, Autonomous Vehicle Assembly Operations at Outrider

<h3><strong>The Company</strong></h3> <p>Outrider is a global leader in physical AI for logistics yard operations. Our mission is to drive the rapid adoption of sustainable freight transportation by deploying zero-emission autonomous systems that enhance the safety, productivity, and sustainability of our customers' operations. We are entering our next chapter of growth as we scale deployments of self-driving electric trucks, robotic manipulation systems, and proprietary safety systems across the networks of our Fortune 500 customers. Outrider is a private company backed by top-tier investors including NEA, 8VC, and Koch Disruptive Technologies. For more information, visit<a href="http://www.outrider.ai/"> </a><a href="http://www.outrider.ai">www.outrider.ai</a>.</p> <h3><strong>The Role</strong></h3> <p>Outrider is seeking a Senior Manager, Autonomous Vehicle Assembly Operations to lead and scale the operations that transform base electric truck platforms into production-ready Outrider autonomous vehicles.</p> <p>Based at Outrider's headquarters in Henderson, Colorado, you will own end-to-end vehicle upfit, assembly, integration, inspection, test, and verification, including sensors, compute and electrical systems, wiring and harnesses, mechanical assemblies, and robotic systems.</p> <p>You will develop the manufacturing blueprint to scale Outrider from low-volume builds to efficient, repeatable production and translate that blueprint into day-to-day execution, both internally and with OEM and contract manufacturing partners. This is a hands-on leadership role with accountability for safety, people, quality, delivery, inventory, cost, facilities and continuous improvement.</p> <p>The ideal candidate has built and scaled complex electromechanical assembly operations from low-volume production through commercial scale and who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You combine strong manufacturing and quality expertise with technician leadership and a roll-up-your-sleeves approach to solving problems on the production floor and collaborating across departments.</p> <h3><strong>Responsibilities</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Lead &amp; Scale Assembly Operations</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Own the end-to-end conversion of base electric trucks into fully integrated Outrider autonomous vehicles.</li> <li>Develop and execute the assembly roadmap for scaling from low-volume builds to efficient, repeatable, high quality commercial production.</li> <li>Lead daily assembly operations and a high-performing team of vehicle assembly and integration technicians to achieve safety, quality, schedule, and cost objectives.</li> <li>Design and optimize process flow, line layout, workstations, tooling, material presentation, staffing, capacity, and manufacturing footprint.</li> <li>Establish standard work, technician instructions, training and qualification programs, inspection criteria, production controls, and build documentation.</li> <li>Develop internal-versus-external manufacturing strategies and establish scalable processes with OEM and contract manufacturing partners.</li> <li>Work closely with commercial, engineering and operations cross-functional teams on production planning and cost efficiency.</li> <li>Oversee Outrider facilities</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Drive Quality &amp; Operational Excellence</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Manage and drive KPIs for safety, quality, delivery, cost, throughput, first-pass yield, rework, cycle time, WIP, and labor efficiency.</li> <li>Build quality into each stage of assembly through process controls, qualifications, measurement systems, in-process inspection, and end-of-line acceptance.</li> <li>Apply core lean and quality methods — root-cause analysis, statistical process control, and failure-mode risk analysis (PFMEA) — along with general familiarity with standard lean/quality tools (5S, Value Stream Mapping, Gauge R&amp;R, APQP, etc.)&nbsp;</li> <li>Partner with Engineering and Test to develop robust component, subassembly, and final-vehicle test processes, including failure analysis, repair, retest, and vehicle release.</li> <li>Drive continuous improvement in vehicle quality, reliability, throughput, labor efficiency, build time, footprint, and manufacturing cost.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Build Production Systems &amp; Partnerships</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Deploy MES and manufacturing data systems supporting digital work instructions, work orders, routing, WIP, traceability, quality records, and production reporting.</li> <li>Partner with Supply Chain, Finance, and IT to implement and improve ERP/MRP, inventory management, material planning, and production-control processes.</li> <li>Maintain accurate vehicle configuration, build, inspection, test, and non-conformance records.</li> <li>Partner with Engineering on DFM/DFA/DFT, new product introduction, engineering changes, production readiness, tooling, fixtures, error-proofing, and automation.</li> <li>Ensure parts, kits, tools, and consumables support production requirements.</li> <li>Develop manufacturing processes and documentation that can be effectively transferred to external manufacturing partners as Outrider scales.</li> <li>Manage assembly-related vehicle repairs and modifications using the appropriate cross-functional resources.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Qualifications</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, or a related technical discipline.</li> <li>7+ years of progressive experience in assembly, production, manufacturing engineering, or advanced manufacturing of vehicles, complex hardware, or electromechanical systems, including 3+ years leading manufacturing or technician teams.</li> <li>Demonstrated success taking an assembly or manufacturing operation from concept or low-volume production through commercial scale.</li> <li>Experience in automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, autonomous vehicles, robotics, aerospace, industrial automation, or similarly complex hardware.</li> <li>Strong knowledge of mechanical and electrical assembly, vehicle wiring/harnesses, sensors, compute hardware, and integrated electromechanical systems.</li> <li>Deep knowledge of assembly process design, line balancing, manufacturing layout, tooling, material flow, capacity planning, and production optimization.</li> <li>Experience establishing standard work, process qualifications, inspection processes, manufacturing control plans, and production documentation.</li> <li>Experience building or upfitting autonomous, electric, commercial, or other highly complex vehicles. (e.g. experience with integrating LiDAR, radar, cameras, GNSS, compute/networking hardware, robotics, or other vehicle sensing and control systems.)</li> <li>Experience with ERP/MRP production processes including work orders, routings, WIP, inventory, material planning, and production control using systems such as NetSuite, SAP, or equivalent.</li> <li>Experience implementing or operating MES and manufacturing quality data systems.</li> <li>Experience implementing and sustaining ISO 9001-compliant manufacturing and quality processes, including participation in a successful certification or recertification audit.</li> <li>Demonstrated ability to recruit, lead, coach, and develop high-performing technician and production teams.</li> <li>Strong cross-functional leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.</li> <li>Comfortable working hands-on in a fast-moving production environment characterized by frequent change, urgency, and evolving requirements.</li> <li>Ability to travel as needed (although majority of work based in CO HQ)</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Bonus Skills and Experience</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Master's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related discipline.</li> <li>Experience managing OEMs, contract manufacturers, or outsourced manufacturing and transferring processes from pilot to external production.</li> <li>Experience in supply chain management and vendor negotiation.</li> <li>Experience in facilities management</li> <li>Experience implementing ISO 9001-compliant processes from the ground up through successful certification.</li> <li>Experience with manufacturing test automation, digital work instructions, genealogy/traceability systems, and production test platforms.</li> <li>ASQ, CMfgE, CPIM, Lean, Six Sigma, or similar manufacturing, quality, or supply-chain certification.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Compensation &amp; Benefits</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Salary range of $155,000 - $215,000</li> <ul> <li>Actual compensation is based on several factors, including but not limited to job-related skills, qualifications, experience, and specific work location due to differences in the cost of labor. In addition to a base salary, this role is also eligible for benefits, and equity bonus.</li> </ul> <li>Equity:A significant equity/stock option package, commensurate with experience and level</li> <li>Health Insurance</li> <li>Dental insurance</li> <li>Vision Insurance</li> <li>Parental Leave</li> <li>401(K) Retirement</li> <li>Flexible Spending Account (FSA)</li> <li>Health Savings Account (HSA)</li> <li>Short-Term Disability</li> <li>Long–Term Disability&nbsp;</li> <li>Life insurance</li> <li>Vision insurance</li> <li>Wellness programs</li> <li>Mental health benefits</li> <li>Professional Development Benefits</li> <li>Flexible Time Off</li> </ul>