Senior Manager, Autonomous Vehicle Assembly Operations

The Company

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 www.outrider.ai.

The Role

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.

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.

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.

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.

Responsibilities

Lead & Scale Assembly Operations

• Own the end-to-end conversion of base electric trucks into fully integrated Outrider autonomous vehicles.
• Develop and execute the assembly roadmap for scaling from low-volume builds to efficient, repeatable, high quality commercial production.
• Lead daily assembly operations and a high-performing team of vehicle assembly and integration technicians to achieve safety, quality, schedule, and cost objectives.
• Design and optimize process flow, line layout, workstations, tooling, material presentation, staffing, capacity, and manufacturing footprint.
• Establish standard work, technician instructions, training and qualification programs, inspection criteria, production controls, and build documentation.
• Develop internal-versus-external manufacturing strategies and establish scalable processes with OEM and contract manufacturing partners.
• Work closely with commercial, engineering and operations cross-functional teams on production planning and cost efficiency.
• Oversee Outrider facilities

Drive Quality & Operational Excellence

• Manage and drive KPIs for safety, quality, delivery, cost, throughput, first-pass yield, rework, cycle time, WIP, and labor efficiency.
• Build quality into each stage of assembly through process controls, qualifications, measurement systems, in-process inspection, and end-of-line acceptance.
• 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&R, APQP, etc.) 
• Partner with Engineering and Test to develop robust component, subassembly, and final-vehicle test processes, including failure analysis, repair, retest, and vehicle release.
• Drive continuous improvement in vehicle quality, reliability, throughput, labor efficiency, build time, footprint, and manufacturing cost.

Build Production Systems & Partnerships

• Deploy MES and manufacturing data systems supporting digital work instructions, work orders, routing, WIP, traceability, quality records, and production reporting.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Finance, and IT to implement and improve ERP/MRP, inventory management, material planning, and production-control processes.
• Maintain accurate vehicle configuration, build, inspection, test, and non-conformance records.
• Partner with Engineering on DFM/DFA/DFT, new product introduction, engineering changes, production readiness, tooling, fixtures, error-proofing, and automation.
• Ensure parts, kits, tools, and consumables support production requirements.
• Develop manufacturing processes and documentation that can be effectively transferred to external manufacturing partners as Outrider scales.
• Manage assembly-related vehicle repairs and modifications using the appropriate cross-functional resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, or a related technical discipline.
• 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.
• Demonstrated success taking an assembly or manufacturing operation from concept or low-volume production through commercial scale.
• Experience in automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, autonomous vehicles, robotics, aerospace, industrial automation, or similarly complex hardware.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical and electrical assembly, vehicle wiring/harnesses, sensors, compute hardware, and integrated electromechanical systems.
• Deep knowledge of assembly process design, line balancing, manufacturing layout, tooling, material flow, capacity planning, and production optimization.
• Experience establishing standard work, process qualifications, inspection processes, manufacturing control plans, and production documentation.
• 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.)
• 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.
• Experience implementing or operating MES and manufacturing quality data systems.
• Experience implementing and sustaining ISO 9001-compliant manufacturing and quality processes, including participation in a successful certification or recertification audit.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, lead, coach, and develop high-performing technician and production teams.
• Strong cross-functional leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working hands-on in a fast-moving production environment characterized by frequent change, urgency, and evolving requirements.
• Ability to travel as needed (although majority of work based in CO HQ)

Bonus Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related discipline.
• Experience managing OEMs, contract manufacturers, or outsourced manufacturing and transferring processes from pilot to external production.
• Experience in supply chain management and vendor negotiation.
• Experience in facilities management
• Experience implementing ISO 9001-compliant processes from the ground up through successful certification.
• Experience with manufacturing test automation, digital work instructions, genealogy/traceability systems, and production test platforms.
• ASQ, CMfgE, CPIM, Lean, Six Sigma, or similar manufacturing, quality, or supply-chain certification.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range of $155,000 - $215,000
• 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.
• Equity:A significant equity/stock option package, commensurate with experience and level
• Health Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Parental Leave
• 401(K) Retirement
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability 
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance
• Wellness programs
• Mental health benefits
• Professional Development Benefits
• Flexible Time Off