Director Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in Phoenix, AZ

NPI Phase Gate Ownership & Execution
• Own manufacturing deliverables across all NPI phase gates from concept development through production release
• Define manufacturing readiness requirements at each phase gate including design maturity, BOM completeness, routings, tooling, labor planning, capacity, and quality requirements
• Participate as the manufacturing authority during phase gate reviews and product readiness evaluations
• Ensure products do not advance through gated development stages without required manufacturing criteria being completed
• Drive accountability for unresolved manufacturing risks, operational gaps, or launch concerns prior to gate approval
• Support structured NPI execution processes aligned with schedule, quality, and operational objectives

Product Industrialization & Manufacturing Strategy
• Translate engineering designs into executable and scalable manufacturing strategies
• Define manufacturing build approaches, line flow concepts, takt assumptions, staffing models, and production methodologies
• Develop and validate manufacturing routings, work instructions, build documentation, and process standards
• Ensure alignment between product design intent, manufacturing capability, operational constraints, and cost targets
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) improvements early in product development
• Support standardization and scalability across manufacturing processes and product platforms

Prototype, Pilot & Production Launch Support
• Lead manufacturing execution activities for prototype builds, pilot builds, and launch programs
• Identify manufacturing issues during early builds and drive corrective actions across Engineering and Operations teams
• Validate tooling, fixtures, equipment, work instructions, and manufacturing processes prior to production scale-up
• Capture lessons learned during launch execution and implement improvements into manufacturing and design processes
• Support initial production ramp activities and stabilize manufacturing performance during launch phases
• Remain engaged post-launch to support operational performance, issue resolution, and production continuity

Cross-Functional NPI Leadership
• Partner closely with Design Engineering to influence product architecture, detail design, and manufacturability decisions
• Work with Supply Chain and Sourcing teams to validate supplier capability, lead times, capacity, and material readiness
• Collaborate with Quality teams to define control plans, inspection requirements, validation methods, and acceptance criteria
• Coordinate with Operations and Production teams regarding staffing plans, training requirements, and manufacturing readiness
• Serve as the manufacturing escalation point throughout NPI execution and launch activities
• Support coordination between Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Production Control, and Quality teams

Manufacturing Risk, Cost & Capacity Management
• Identify manufacturing risks tied to process complexity, tooling, labor constraints, production scalability, or supply chain challenges
• Support manufacturing cost modeling through labor assumptions, tooling strategies, process planning, and operational analysis
• Drive mitigation plans addressing cost, schedule, capacity, quality, and execution risks
• Support make-versus-buy evaluations and production scaling strategies
• Evaluate operational readiness and manufacturing capacity requirements tied to product launches and customer demand

Production Release & Operational Handoff
• Ensure all manufacturing documentation, routings, tooling validation, and process controls are complete prior to production release
• Support formal handoff of programs from NPI into full Operations ownership
• Train production teams on manufacturing processes, tooling, assembly requirements, and launch expectations
• Support early production issue resolution and continuous process improvement post-launch
• Maintain alignment between Engineering changes and manufacturing execution throughout production ramp phases

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
• Support Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, and operational excellence initiatives
• Drive Root Cause Analysis and corrective action implementation tied to launch issues, production inefficiencies, or process failures
• Improve manufacturing workflows, launch execution processes, and industrialization standards
• Contribute to standardization of manufacturing methods, tooling approaches, and production systems across facilities

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline
• 7+ years of manufacturing engineering experience within industrial, electro-mechanical, or engineered product environments
• Direct experience supporting structured New Product Introduction (NPI) programs and gated product development processes
• Strong understanding of fabrication, welding, assembly, electrical integration, and industrial manufacturing operations
• Experience participating in or owning NPI phase gate deliverables and manufacturing readiness activities
• Strong cross-functional leadership capability across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality teams
• Hands-on shop floor problem-solving capability and launch execution experience
• Strong organizational, communication, and operational execution skills

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience supporting automotive, BESS systems, modular data centers, power generation systems, GenSet platforms, modular construction, or heavy industrial OEM products
• Experience supporting high-mix, engineered-to-order manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, or structured gated product development frameworks
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma background preferred
• Experience supporting prototype builds, pilot builds, and production ramp activities
• Familiarity with ERP systems, production planning workflows, and manufacturing reporting tools preferred

GTI Energy offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support employees and their families while providing long-term career growth opportunities within a fast-growing manufacturing organization. Benefits may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match (where applicable)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Sick time in accordance with state and local requirements
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• Career advancement opportunities within a rapidly growing organization
• Exposure to advanced manufacturing, modular infrastructure, and large-scale industrial projects
• Collaborative, fast-paced environment with strong operational and engineering leadership
• Employee-focused culture centered on safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement

Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on position, location, and employment classification.