Metallurgical Lab Manager Jobs in Chelsea, MA (NOW HIRING)

About the Company
Foundation Alloy is building the most advanced metal alloy company in the world. Our mission is to unlock performance that legacy materials and processes simply cannot deliver, enabling the next generation of critical hardware across space, aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial applications.
Our proprietary MetalsFIRST™ platform eliminates melting entirely, using mechanical alloying and rapid sintering to produce alloys with ultra-fine grain structures and exceptional properties. We are already deploying initial materials, including our Molyclast™ alloys (MC700, MC1200, and MC-X) and specialty steels.
We are a Boston-area company commercializing deep materials science developed at the intersection of advanced manufacturing and frontier materials science. We move fast, operate with high technical rigor, and are scaling the infrastructure to bring these materials into production. Currently in the process of relocating from Cambridge, MA to Woburn, MA by early next year.
What you'll be working on:
Foundation Alloy is seeking a Production Manager to join our manufacturing team. You will oversee the transition of our novel powder metallurgy technology from the lab to full-scale part production. This role requires a "hands-on" facility startup experience and the ability to manage a distributed supply chain involving toll and contract manufacturers. Your tasks will include:

• Pilot Facility Startup & Leadership
• • Lead the commissioning and daily operations of new pilot manufacturing facilities.
  • Implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for powder handling, pressing, and sintering.
  • Deliver customer prototype parts on time while meeting specification requirements.
• Distributed Manufacturing Management
• • Manage day-to-day relationships with toll processors providing pressing, sintering, and machining services and with Manufacturers Contract Manufacturer producing powder.
  • Issue and track Purchase Orders (POs) and production forecasts to ensure a steady supply of finished goods.
• Technical Process Oversight
• • Oversee complex metallurgical processes and innovate to continuously improve the manufacturing process.
  • Collaborate with R&D and Engineering to lead technology transfer from prototype to external manufacturing partners.
  • Troubleshoot technical bottlenecks in the manufacturing process.
• Operations & Quality Control
• • Track key performance indicators for safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
  • Manage raw material and work-in-progress (WIP) inventory.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline such as metallurgical engineering, mechanical engineering, or manufacturing engineering.
• Experience: 5+ years in a production leadership role, preferably with powder metallurgy experience.
• Startup Agility: Proven track record in ground-up facility build out, preferably with a new technology or in a startup environment.
• External Management: Direct experience managing contract or toll manufacturing partners.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Experience with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Product Approval Process (PPAP) and industry quality standards (ISO 9000, AS9100).
• Knowledge of Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing methodologies.

Culture
We don't look for profiles that "fit" with our culture. We look for people that add to who we are - people with the initiative, positive approach to problem solving, and passion for something (anything!) that will make them both high impact and exciting to work alongside from day one. We know that these people come from all walks of life, with all backgrounds and levels of experience. If you're excited about the work we can do together, please reach out. We enthusiastically welcome team members of all races, colors, religions, ages, sexes, sexual orientations, gender identities, national origins, different abilities, genetics, veteran statuses, and former incarceration statuses.
Compensation and Benefits
The success of this company will be grounded in the long-term productivity of our team. To provide everyone with the physical, mental and financial safety to operate at their long-term best, we provide the following:

• Meaningful, challenging, impactful work, and opportunities to grow within the company at all levels
• Competitive salary, guaranteed to rise with inflation at a minimum each year
• Equity - People at every level will have an impact, and should benefit from their work
• Unlimited paid vacation, with a very strong expectation that employees take a minimum of 15 days off per year, and a full week off at least once per year
• Flexible working style. Most jobs will require people to be present in person or in office most of the time, but in general we care about what's getting done, not when or where you're doing it
• Top tier health, dental and vision insurance with limited employee contributions
• A voice in future benefits. This is the beginning, and we will work together to keep adding new, better ways to provide for everyone in the company