ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Associate Director Validation Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Electra

Associate Director, Manufacturing

Boulder, CO

The Associate Director, Manufacturing, reporting to the Vice President of Industrial Engineering ... Define manufacturing inspection requirements, measurement system needs, and validation expectations ...

Electra

Associate Director, Manufacturing

Boulder, CO · On-site

The Associate Director, Manufacturing, reporting to the Vice President of Industrial Engineering ... Define manufacturing inspection requirements, measurement system needs, and validation expectations ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAssociate Validation JobsAssociate Director Validation JobsAssociate Director Validation Jobs in Colorado

Associate Director Validation information

How does an Associate Director of Validation typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during major projects?

An Associate Director of Validation works closely with departments such as Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure that validation activities meet both internal standards and regulatory requirements. This often involves leading multi-disciplinary project teams, facilitating communication, and resolving challenges related to process or equipment validation. Regular meetings, joint risk assessments, and coordinated documentation are common, which helps streamline project timelines and maintain compliance. Effective collaboration is essential for successful product launches and ongoing process improvements.

What is the difference between Associate Director Validation vs Validation Manager?

AspectAssociate Director ValidationValidation Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Life Sciences, Engineering, or related fields; often requires industry certificationsBachelor's or Master's in similar fields; certifications like ASQ or ISPE are common
Work EnvironmentLeads validation teams, oversees validation strategies, and collaborates with cross-functional departmentsManages validation projects, ensures compliance, and reports to senior management
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries; used in large organizationsSimilar industries; common in mid to large-sized companies for validation oversight

The Associate Director Validation typically holds a higher strategic role, overseeing validation teams and strategies, while the Validation Manager focuses on managing validation projects and ensuring compliance. Both roles require similar credentials and are vital in regulated industries, but the Associate Director has broader leadership responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Director Validation, and why are they important?

To excel as an Associate Director Validation, you need in-depth knowledge of validation principles, regulatory guidelines (such as FDA, EMA), and a background in life sciences or engineering, often supported by advanced degrees. Familiarity with validation software, quality management systems (QMS), and industry-standard protocols like GAMP or ASTM E2500 is crucial. Strong leadership, project management, and cross-functional communication skills help drive teams and ensure compliance. These competencies are essential to maintain product quality, regulatory adherence, and efficient validation processes in a highly regulated environment.

What is an Associate Director of Validation?

An Associate Director of Validation is a leadership role in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device industries responsible for overseeing validation activities. This includes ensuring that equipment, processes, and systems meet regulatory standards and function as intended. The Associate Director manages validation teams, develops validation strategies, and ensures compliance with industry regulations such as FDA and GMP. They play a key role in quality assurance and help maintain the integrity of products and processes.
What are popular job titles related to Associate Director Validation jobs in Colorado? For Associate Director Validation jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Director Validation jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Director Validation jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Associate Director Validation jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Associate Director Validation job openings:
Associate Director Validation jobs near you
Associate Director, Manufacturing

Associate Director, Manufacturing

Electra

Boulder, CO

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Who we are:  

Electra is reinventing ironmaking from the ground up with a breakthrough electrochemical technology that produces high purity clean iron and critical co-minerals. With two operating pilots in Boulder and a new demonstration facility underway in Jefferson County, we're on track to reach commercial scale by the end of the decade. Backed by over $300 million and strategic partnerships with global leaders across mining, steel, and big tech, momentum is on our side.  Recognized by Fast Company as a Most Innovative Company and a Next Big Thing in Tech, and named one of TIME's 100 Climate Leaders, we're building a company shaping the future of industry. If you're looking to make an impact and join a team that's driven, focused, and scaling, we want to hear from you.

What you will do:  

The Associate Director, Manufacturing, reporting to the Vice President of Industrial Engineering & Automation. This Associate Director will build and lead a team of manufacturing engineers, while serving as the technical authority for outsourced manufacturing. Early-stage development, custom builds, and rapid iteration are led by the Rapid Prototyping organization; this role assumes ownership once product designs transition into demonstration, and production execution. 

This role translates product and process requirements into scalable manufacturing solutions, qualifies and recommends capable contract manufacturers, and ensures manufacturing readiness for demonstration-scale operations. The Associate Director partners closely with Supply Chain-including Supplier Quality Engineering-to align technical execution with commercial and contractual activities, while retaining direct responsibility for internal inspection and product specification compliance. 

This role exists to transform proven Electra designs into reliable, repeatable manufacturing systems that enable confident demonstration operations and scalable production. 

Responsibilities include:

Manufacturing execution & scale-up 

  • Lead execution of the manufacturing strategy from demonstration readiness through ongoing production (~30,000 units) 
  • Own structured handoff from Rapid Prototyping into Manufacturing, including transfer of process intent, key learnings, tooling concepts, and known technical risks. 
  • Drive the transition of Electra product designs from development into manufacturable, scalable, and cost-effective production solutions 
  • Own ongoing production and availability of product and spares in support of Demonstration Plant operations, ensuring reliable execution while Rapid Prototyping focuses on next-generation development. 
  • Execute make/buy decisions, capacity plans, and manufacturing roadmaps in alignment with VP-level direction 
  • Ensure manufacturing execution meets performance, quality, safety, cost, and schedule objectives for Electra's operating plants 
  • Serve as the technical authority for outsourced manufacturing of subcomponents.
  • Identify, evaluate, and recommend qualified and capable contract manufacturers based on technical capability, process maturity, quality systems, and scalability 
  • Lead supplier technical assessments, manufacturing readiness reviews, and process capability evaluations 
  • Define manufacturing requirements, process controls, inspection strategies, and acceptance criteria for external suppliers based on industrialization and demonstration-scale learnings 
  • Partner with Supply Chain to support supplier selection and onboarding, with Supply Chain owning commercial negotiations, financial terms, and legal contracts 
  • Collaborate with Supplier Quality Engineering to ensure supplier processes, controls, and corrective actions align with Electra's technical and quality requirements 
  • Provide technical risk assessments and escalation for supplier-related manufacturing issues 

Quality, metrology & inspection ownership 

  • Serve as the Manufacturing functional owner for metrology and inspection capabilities supporting demonstration and production manufacturing 
  • Define manufacturing inspection requirements, measurement system needs, and validation expectations aligned with product, supplier, and manufacturing execution requirements 
  • Partner with Rapid Prototyping, Cell Design, Engineering, and Quality to define acceptance criteria, control plans, inspection strategies, and handoff requirements as products transition into Manufacturing ownership 
  • Ensure inspection methods, measurement systems, and test protocols supporting Manufacturing are capable, validated, and fit for purpose 
  • Leverage inspection and metrology data to support supplier qualification, demonstration readiness, ongoing performance evaluation, and corrective action efforts 
  • Ensure traceability, documentation, and data integrity for manufacturing and quality records required to support demonstration and production operations 

 Team leadership & development 

  • Build, lead and develop a multidisciplinary team of manufacturing engineers 
  • Set execution priorities, technical direction, and performance expectations aligned with departmental objectives 
  • Coach and mentor team members to enable independent ownership of complex manufacturing and process development efforts 
  • Foster a safety-first culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement, and execution excellence 

Cross-functional collaboration 

  • Partner closely with Rapid Prototyping to ensure effective transfer of designs, process knowledge, and lessons learned as products transition into demonstration and manufacturing readiness. 
  • Represent Manufacturing execution priorities in cross-functional product development, operations, and readiness forums 
  • Provide DFM/DFA guidance to Cell Design and Engineering to support manufacturable, cost-effective Electra product designs 
  • Work closely with Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations to align supplier technical readiness, inspection strategy, and manufacturing output with plant startup and commissioning needs 
  • Provide manufacturing readiness updates, technical risk assessments, and execution status to senior leadership 

Operational excellence & problem solving 

  • Lead resolution of complex manufacturing, quality, yield, and supplier issues across internal and external production environments 
  • Apply structured problem-solving and root cause analysis methods for high-impact issues 
  • Establish and track manufacturing KPIs and performance metrics across internal operations and external suppliers 
  • Ensure all manufacturing activities comply with safety, environmental, and company policies 

What we need you to bring to the team:   

  • Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience considered 
  • 12+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing engineering, with 4 to 8 years in an industrial production operations setting 
  • Demonstrated success scaling products beyond prototype or pilot stages into outsourced or hybrid-volume manufacturing 
  • Strong experience qualifying and managing contract manufacturers for precision plastic and metal components and assemblies 
  • Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing technical teams 
  • Deep understanding of DFM, DFA, and design-for-scalability principles 
  • Experience defining manufacturing requirements, acceptance criteria, and inspection strategies 
  • Familiarity with metrology systems, measurement system analysis (MSA), and validation of inspection methods 
  • Track record of solving complex, cross-functional manufacturing and supply chain challenges 
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders 
  • Highly organized, decisive, and effective in a fast-paced startup environment 
  • Experience owning manufacturing execution

What we want you to bring to the team:   

  • Master's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline preferred 
  • Experience supporting demonstration facilities, or early commercial production environments  
  • Background in mineral processing OEMs, electrochemical systems, energy technologies, or other highly engineered hardware products  
  • Experience with injection molding processes, including part design considerations, tooling development, supplier qualification, and process capability 
  • Experience with welding, bonding, or joining of fiber-based fabrics or composite materials, including development of repeatable manufacturing processes 
  • Hands-on experience with fabrication processes such as machining, welding, forming, or complex assemblies 
  • Passion for building scalable hardware systems that enable meaningful sustainability impact 

 Compensation:   

  • The anticipated starting pay range for this position is $140,000-$175,000/ year and may be more or less depending upon skills, experience, and education.  

Benefits For You:  

  • 100% paid premiums across all medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance plans
  • $1,800 in annual employer HSA contributions (health savings account) 

Benefits For Your Family:  

  • 100% paid premiums across all medical, dental, vision, and telemedicine plans 
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave 

Benefits For Your Future:  

  • 401k with up to 5% matching contributions which vest 100% on day one  
  • Eligibility for incentive stock options 

If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, reach out to us at careers@electra.earth We're here to help.

Apply