Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Production Systems

Are you passionate about architecting high-performing production lines for the next generation of Physical AI? Collaborative Robotics is looking for a Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Production Systems to design and launch the in-house production system for our robots. You will own the production line from a blank sheet through stable, repeatable operation. That includes architecting the manufacturing process, ideating on fixtures and tools, establishing process controls, identifying bottlenecks, and working directly with hardware engineers and build technicians to improve how the robot is designed and assembled. You will have meaningful ownership, limited existing infrastructure, and the support to build a production system that can grow with the company. Join us to reimagine the future of human-robot interaction. Collaborative Robotics is a team of innovators and builders redefining the future of human-robot interaction. We are working to realize a world where robots are a trusted extension of your surroundings. They work, adapt, and react around you. Not the other way around. This role is located onsite at our Santa Clara, CA headquarters. Cobot will offer a relocation stipend if you are relocating to join our Santa Clara office and currently live more than 50 miles outside of the office location. Key Responsibilities: Architect the end-to-end build sequence and work instructions for the production line, starting from a hardware design with no prior production history. Define the fixture design philosophy for the line. Serve as the primary link between the build floor and hardware design, flagging hard-to-build decisions and driving specific alternatives to closure. Run process FMEA on new and changed build steps to get ahead of likely failure modes before they become chronic. Build the root-cause and defect-closure system, instrument how issues get discovered, root-caused and closed. Define the metrics infrastructure, run time studies, identify bottleneck stations, and instrument the line to produce real cycle time, first-pass yield, and scrap data. Minimum Qualifications: 9+ years in manufacturing/process/production engineering for electromechanical hardware (robotics, consumer electronics, medical devices, automotive, or similar). Direct experience standing up a new production line or NPI (new product introduction) process, ideally at low-to-mid volume with active product iteration. Demonstrated fixture/jig design judgment, knowing what to design and what to buy. Fluency with DFM/DFA principles and influencing engineering design decisions. Experience with data analysis and metrics for production lines. Highly motivated teammate with excellent oral and written communication skills. Enjoy working in a fast paced, collaborative and dynamic start-up environment as part of a small team. Willing to occasionally travel. Must have and maintain US work authorization. Preferred Qualifications: Experience in both a CM/EMS environment and an in-house build environment. Process FMEA and root-cause methodology (5-why, fishbone, etc.) experience. CAD proficiency (fixture design) and familiarity with rapid prototyping (3D printing, laser cutting, basic machining) for quick fixture iteration. Experience mentoring or setting technical direction for other process/manufacturing engineers. The annual base salary range for this position is $205,000 - $240,000 plus equity and comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision plans, 401(k) plan, unlimited paid vacation time, paid sick leave, and parental leave. Our salary ranges are determined by role and experience level. The range reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position in the noted geographic area. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Cobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let your recruiter know. To all recruitment agencies: Collaborative Robotics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our employees. Collaborative Robotics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. Cobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let your recruiter know. To all recruitment agencies: Collaborative Robotics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our employees. Collaborative Robotics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.