Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering

Locus Robotics is a global leader in warehouse automation, delivering unmatched flexibility and unlimited throughput, and actionable intelligence to optimize operations. Powered by LocusONE, an AI-driven platform, our advanced autonomous mobile robots seamlessly integrate into existing warehouse environments to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and scale operations with ease.

Trusted by over 150 industry leading retail, healthcare, 3PL, and industrial brands in over 350 sites worldwide, Locus enables warehouse operators to achieve rapid ROI, minimize labor costs, and continuously improve productivity. Our industry-first Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model ensures ongoing innovation, scalability, and cost-effectiveness without the burden of significant capital investments. With proven capabilities in diverse workflows—from picking and replenishment to sorting and pack-out—Locus Robotics empowers businesses to meet peak demands and adapt to ever-changing operational needs.

Locus Robotics is hiring a Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering to lead our Manufacturing Engineering team and drive the successful launch of new products and ongoing improvement initiatives across all product lines. In this role, you’ll oversee manufacturing and production readiness efforts in collaboration with both contract manufacturers and internal teams, ensuring designs are optimized for mass production using Design for Excellence (DfX) principles.

This full-time, on-site role requires the candidate to work from Locus Robotics Corporate Headquarters in Wilmington, MA and our Advanced Product Group in Nashua, NH with up to 20% travel to local New England contract manufacturing suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a high-performing team of manufacturing engineers, providing guidance, mentorship, and career development paths aligned to business goals.  
• Lead manufacturing engineering efforts across all stages of the product lifecycle—concept, prototyping, pilot, production, sustainment, and end-of-life.  
• Serve as the key voice for manufacturing during product development and change management. 
• Leverage strong project management and organizational skills to develop and implement scalable manufacturing and production strategies.
• Drive process improvements and strategic initiatives that support the growth and efficiency of Locus’s manufacturing operations.
• Partner closely with R&D, Product Management, Supply Chain, and Quality to ensure manufacturability, cost-efficiency, and design robustness. 
• Develop make vs. buy strategies for complex robotic equipment.
• Own process development, tooling strategy, and equipment readiness for new products. 
• Manage pilot builds, production ramp plans, and readiness reviews to ensure smooth transitions to volume production. 
• Oversee the impact of engineering changes (ECOs) across manufacturing, including BOM updates, routing modifications, and revalidation activities. 
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that reduce waste and cost, and improve cycle time, yields, and efficiency.
• Collaborate with internal manufacturing partners and external suppliers to support scalability, yield, and process control.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, process flowcharts, and standard operating procedures. 
• Drive root cause and corrective action (RCCA) initiatives for supplier and in-house production issues. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering, or related field. 
• 10+ years of experience in robotics, automation, or equivalent field.
• 3+ years of strong leadership experience managing a manufacturing engineering team.
• Proven experience managing full product lifecycles, including new product introduction, change management, and continuous improvement in hardware, robotics, or electro-mechanical environments.
• Hands-on experience scaling products from prototype to mid-to-high-volume production.
• Deep experience with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems (NetSuite and Omnify preferred). 
• Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies. 
• Proficient English communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage diverse audiences effectively.

Additional Information  

Locus Robotics is an Equal Opportunity Employer.