Manufacturing Operations Manager

Manufacturing Operations ManagerNeuroBionics is hiring a Manufacturing Operations Manager to run the day-to-day engine that turns build plans into shipped hardware. This is a hands-on, working role: you'll own manufacturing execution, personally run in-process and final inspection, drive process optimization, manage 1-2 manufacturing operators, own inventory, and hold purchasing authority over your critical build vendors.This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives in the "messy middle" between engineering intent and real-world output — it's staying close to the work, driving it to closure fast, and keeping engineering and quality unblocked. You'll install lightweight systems and a reliable execution cadence without introducing bureaucracy, working directly with the CEO, CTO, and technical leads, and partnering with Quality for disciplined, traceable execution.Location: On-site in Cambridge/Somerville, MA. Title will be adjusted based on experience.Duties and ResponsibilitiesRun manufacturing execution and labor planning:Establish and operate a weekly build plan + daily execution cadence, with clear priorities, WIP visibility, and rapid blocker removal.Lead and develop a team of 1-2 manufacturing operators: staffing plans, onboarding, training, schedules, and performance expectations.Partner with Engineering and Quality to ensure builds follow the right revs, specs, and release criteria.Own inspection and process optimization:Run in-process and final inspection end-to-end, operating within the quality system and partnering with Quality on release criteria.Drive continuous improvement on the floor: attack yield, cycle time, and variation with standard work, checklists, and 5S where it earns its keep.Reduce rework, expedites, and tribal-knowledge dependencies.Own inventory and critical build-vendor purchasing:Stand up practical inventory systems: item-master hygiene, min/max or reorder points, cycle counts, shortage visibility.Hold purchasing authority for critical build vendors — quotes, POs, confirmations, delivery tracking, and escalation — so parts arrive on time for the build.Keep BOM-related purchasing aligned with Engineering as designs change.Coordinate with Business Operations, which owns general procurement, AP, and back-office vendor/SOW management.Own relationships with critical vendors:Drive disciplined SOW and deliverable tracking: milestones, timelines, quality expectations, and cost control.Anticipate risks (lead times, quality escapes, schedule slips) and communicate mitigation plans early.Own shipping, receiving, and fulfillment discipline:Run incoming inspection coordination, labeling, kitting, packing, and shipment tracking.Define and maintain an early order-to-ship workflow, including documentation and handoffs.Build lightweight systems that reduce chaos:Stand up simple dashboards and rituals that make throughput, shortages, vendor status, and the shipping queue visible.Drive continuous improvement: standard work, checklists, 5S where it earns its keep, and steady reduction of rework and expedites.QualificationsRequired:5+ years in operations/manufacturing in medtech (startup preferred) or a closely regulated hardware environment.A track record of moving fast under constraint — hitting aggressive timelines and driving cross-functional work to closure. Be ready to walk through specific examples.Hands-on experience owning in-process and final inspection end-to-end and process optimization in a hardware/manufacturing setting (yield, cycle time, standard work, in-process quality checks). You'll be the inspection owner, not a backstop to one.Demonstrated experience taking at least one product from development into production (or an equivalent production ramp).Strong working knowledge of inventory control and vendor/purchasing management for manufacturing inputs in a hardware setting.Comfortable being the close-to-the-floor lead for a small operation (1-2 direct reports), running inspection and process work directly — not just managing people.High attention to detail and disciplined execution (revisions, parts, traceability basics).Preferred:Medical device startup experience (or similarly resource-constrained, high-ambiguity setting).Familiarity with ISO 13485 / design controls / basic quality system concepts — you won't be the QE, but you operate inside the system and run inspection within it.Experience with early-stage MRP/ERP tools, or building MRP-light processes in spreadsheets and translating build plans into purchasing actions.Local Boston/Cambridge vendor and staffing network.Working ConditionsThis position will be on-site at our various locations in Somerville and Cambridge, MA.What we offer:Opportunity to learn and work for a mission-driven, VC-backed, MIT-spinoff on one of the most impactful problems that can change livesCompetitive and experience-guided compensation and meaningful equity stake3 weeks flexible PTO + 1.5 week company shutdownFull benefits plan including:Health, dental and vision insurance covered at 100%Health Reimbursement AccountParental & Medical LeaveLife and Long-term Disability insurance401(k)Health & wellness benefitJoin NeuroBionics and contribute to the evolution of cutting-edge neural technology that has the potential to revolutionize the field of neurobiology and improve the lives of countless individuals worldwide.