Chief Operating Officer (San Diego)

Our client is seeking a hands-on COO / Head of Operations to lead hardware production, outsourced manufacturing, vendor management, quality control, and product delivery.

The company is developing advanced safety and autonomous-driving technology designed to bring modern driver‑assistance capabilities to vehicles already on the road. Its mission is to make advanced safety technology accessible across a broader range of vehicles, not just high‑end or factory‑equipped models.

The company is entering a critical production‑scaling phase. After completing significant product development, it is preparing to transition from small test runs into larger‑scale manufacturing and customer delivery.

This leader will manage contract manufacturers, suppliers, vendors, and production partners while working closely with engineering, sales, partnerships, and executive leadership. The immediate priority is to scale the company from small‑batch production into higher‑volume manufacturing and reliable customer delivery.

This is a startup leadership role for someone who can move quickly, solve problems directly, build operational systems, and remain closely involved in day‑to‑day production execution. You have lead the development of novel hardware from engineering to delivering the first 1000 units.

Responsibilities

• Lead outsourced hardware manufacturing and production operations
• Manage contract manufacturers, suppliers, vendors, and production partners
• Oversee production timelines, vendor accountability, and delivery schedules
• Partner with engineering to ensure product updates are manufacturable and production‑ready
• Collaborate with sales and partnerships teams to understand customer and dealer feedback
• Translate field feedback into production, design, quality, and process improvements
• Oversee quality assurance, quality control, testing, validation, and shipment readiness
• Lead the initial production ramp and prepare operations for larger‑scale manufacturing
• Build scalable systems for production planning, vendor management, inventory, quality, and delivery
• Identify and resolve operational gaps in a fast‑paced startup environment
• Take ownership of urgent production and supply‑chain issues
• Travel to manufacturing sites and vendor locations as needed

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related technical field
• Mechanical engineering background or strong hands‑on experience with physical hardware products
• 10+ years of senior operations experience in hardware, electronics, automotive technology, robotics, IoT, mobility, consumer electronics, or a similar physical‑product environment
• Experience managing outsourced manufacturing, contract manufacturers, suppliers, and vendors
• Proven success scaling hardware from prototype or pilot production into commercial production
• Strong knowledge of quality assurance, quality control, production validation, vendor management, and supply‑chain execution
• Ability to work effectively with engineering, sales, partnerships, and executive leadership
• Strong problem‑solving, communication, project‑management, and decision‑making skills
• Comfort working in a fast‑paced startup environment with changing priorities and limited structure
• Willingness to wear multiple hats and take ownership beyond a narrowly defined role
• Hands‑on approach to resolving urgent production and operational issues

Preferred Experience

• Experience in automotive, ADAS, autonomous vehicles, aftermarket automotive, or connected devices
• Experience with PCBs, cable harnesses, electronics assembly, or vehicle‑integrated products
• Previous experience as a COO, VP of Operations, Head of Operations, Director of Manufacturing, or senior Supply Chain leader
• Experience building operational processes and systems from the ground up in an early‑stage company

Compensation

The company offers a flexible compensation package in which salary and equity operate on a sliding scale. Candidates who are more motivated by long‑term upside may choose a lower base salary in exchange for greater equity participation, while candidates who prefer stronger immediate cash compensation may choose a higher salary with a smaller equity grant.