Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineer

What we need 

Symbotic is seeking an accomplished Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineer to lead and scale our manufacturing engineering organization, driving operational excellence in the production of our automation and robotics solutions—including bots, conveyance systems, and adapter cells. This role will set the strategic direction for process development, equipment optimization, and manufacturing scalability, ensuring efficient, reliable, and cost-effective production. The Senior Manager will partner closely with project management, operations, and quality leadership to deliver innovative, manufacturable solutions that meet customer requirements while advancing continuous improvement initiatives across the business. 

What you’ll do 

• Provide strategic leadership for the manufacturing engineering function, ensuring alignment with company objectives and future growth plans. 

• Oversee resource planning, prioritization, and workload balance to ensure projects are delivered on schedule and to the highest quality standards. 

• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering technical depth, collaboration, and leadership growth. 

• Establish clear performance goals and accountability structures to drive measurable results. 

• Present regular updates to executive leadership on manufacturing readiness, risk mitigation, and long-term improvement initiatives. 

• Champion a culture of safety, quality, innovation, and continuous improvement across all operations. 

• Define and implement advanced manufacturing strategies for robotics and automation systems that improve scalability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. 

• Partner with design engineering to ensure manufacturability (DFM) and lead seamless transitions of new products into production. 

• Expertise in process development, driving manufacturing readiness reviews and DFM analysis scaling production from prototype to full-volume manufacturing for new product introductions. 

• Identify, justify, and implement automation technologies, tooling, and fixtures to enhance throughput, quality, and reliability. 

• Manage capital investment and tooling budgets to support production growth and operational excellence. 

• Partner with operations leadership to resolve systemic production challenges, reduce downtime, and ensure on-time delivery. 

• Lead root cause analysis for critical manufacturing issues and ensure effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). 

• Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to optimize processes, eliminate waste, and strengthen performance. 

• Collaborate cross-functionally with program management, supply chain, and quality teams to ensure alignment on timelines, supplier readiness, and ISO 9001 compliance. 

What you’ll need 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering, or related discipline (Master’s degree preferred). 

• Minimum of 10 years of manufacturing engineering experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership role with increasing responsibility. 

• Proven track record in robotics, automation systems, machining, or advanced manufacturing, ideally in high-precision or low-to-medium volume environments. 

• Strong knowledge of quality systems, GD&T, and advanced inspection and verification methods. 

• Demonstrated leadership in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement (Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred). 

• Strong business and financial acumen, including manufacturing cost analysis and capital planning. 

• Exceptional skills in team leadership, change management, and talent development. 

• Excellent problem-solving, prioritization, and project management capabilities. 

• Clear and persuasive communication skills, with the ability to influence across technical and executive levels. 

Our Environment 

• Travel is required up to 50% of the time. Employees must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive and/or fly to client, other customer locations or our main office in Wilmington, MA.  

• The person taking this position will be required to perform work at our customer installation locations for extended periods of time where equipment is installed and ready for commissioning.    

• The employee is responsible to own a credit card and manage expenses personally to be reimbursed on a bi-weekly basis.    

• The employee is frequently required to walk and reach with hands and arms.    

• The employee is routinely required to work at heights of up to 45 feet and within restrictive areas of 24 inches. to stand; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.    

• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.    

• Must comply with all safety requirements and protocols, including without limitation Lock out tag out safety protocols and fall protection safety protocols.     

• Approximately 80% of time will be spent on a construction site with PPE required (hard hat, safety vest, steel toes, eyeglasses, ear protection, fall protection (e.g., safety harness).    

• There will be steep stairs to climb into the structure. You may be required to routinely walk up and down stairs to navigate the automation structure.   

• You will regularly be near railings that are high off the ground.    

• Subject to environmental conditions, protection from weather conditions but not necessarily temperature changes. Must be capable of working in temperatures ranging from 105° to 32° Fahrenheit.