Prototype Operations Manager

Location: Princeton, New Jersey

Company: Princeton Critical Minerals

Position Overview

Princeton Critical Minerals is seeking an experienced Prototype Operations Manager to lead and manage the company's prototype operations supporting product development, prototyping, production, field deployments, and research and development (R&D) activities. This is a management position with primary responsibility for personnel leadership, staffing, resource planning, scheduling, safety, quality, vendor coordination, and overall prototype operations performance.

The Prototype Operations Manager regularly and customarily directs the work of at least two full-time employees or their equivalent. Technical machining and fabrication expertise is used primarily to direct, train, evaluate, and troubleshoot; routine hands-on production work is not the primary duty of the position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Prototype Operations function, with primary responsibility for prototyping, scheduling, resource allocation, safety, quality, and operational performance.
• Direct the daily work of engineers by establishing priorities, assigning projects, setting schedules, reviewing progress, and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and to required quality standards.
• Supervise, develop, and evaluate engineers, including providing training and coaching, conducting performance evaluations, addressing performance issues, and making recommendations regarding hiring, promotion, compensation, discipline, and termination.
• Develop, implement, and enforce prototype operating procedures, safety requirements, quality standards, maintenance programs, and operational best practices.
• Plan and manage prototype resources and operating budgets, including staffing requirements, equipment, tooling, materials, consumables, inventory, maintenance, and outside fabrication services.
• Partner with Engineering and R&D leadership to translate engineering concepts, CAD models, drawings, and development priorities into fabrication plans, staffing requirements, schedules, and prototype operations deliverables.
• Establish prototype and production schedules, monitor progress against engineering priorities, identify resource constraints, and adjust staffing and workflow as necessary.
• Manage vendors and outside fabrication partners, including evaluating suppliers, obtaining quotations, making sourcing recommendations and decisions, and monitoring vendor performance.
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs and lead continuous-improvement initiatives focused on safety, productivity, quality, equipment reliability, organization, and throughput.
• Plan and direct prototype operations support for field deployments, pilot installations, equipment commissioning, and other company operations, including determining personnel, equipment, tooling, and logistical requirements.
• Provide technical leadership on complex fabrication, machining, assembly, and troubleshooting activities. The Manager may occasionally perform specialized technical work to resolve complex problems, train employees, evaluate processes, or support critical projects; however, routine machining, fabrication, logistics, and assembly are secondary to the position's management responsibilities.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience directly supervising or managing technical, manufacturing, or production personnel.
• Strong technical foundation in machining, fabrication, prototyping, manufacturing, or workshop operations sufficient to direct, train, and evaluate technical staff.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, specifications, and manufacturing requirements and translate them into staffing and production plans.
• Working knowledge of prototype operations safety requirements, quality practices, preventive maintenance, and equipment management.
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Prior experience as a workshop, shop, manufacturing, prototype, or production manager in a startup, R&D organization, pilot plant, or product-development environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with CAD/CAM, design-for-manufacturing principles, machining, welding, metal fabrication, and structural assembly.
• Familiarity with pumps, conveyors, industrial automation, instrumentation, process equipment, or related mechanical systems.
• Experience managing vendors, outside fabrication services, purchasing decisions, and prototype budgets.
• Experience supporting field operations, pilot deployments, equipment installation, or commissioning in industrial, mining, water-treatment, chemical-processing, or similar environments.
• Ability to direct work across multiple technical disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, controls, and manufacturing.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical certification, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or relevant management training preferred.
• Relevant management experience and demonstrated responsibility for personnel and prototype operations are more important than a specific degree.
• Hands-on machining or fabrication experience is preferred as a technical foundation for managing and evaluating prototype activities.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement