Senior Manager, Autonomous Vehicle Assembly Operations

The Company

Outrider is a global leader in physical AI for logistics yard operations. Our mission is to drive the rapid adoption of sustainable freight transportation by deploying zero-emission autonomous systems that enhance the safety, productivity, and sustainability of our customers' operations. We are entering our next chapter of growth as we scale deployments of self-driving electric trucks, robotic manipulation systems, and proprietary safety systems across the networks of our Fortune 500 customers. Outrider is a private company backed by top-tier investors including NEA, 8VC, and Koch Disruptive Technologies. For more information, visit www.outrider.ai.

The Role

Outrider is seeking a Senior Manager, Autonomous Vehicle Assembly Operations to lead and scale the operations that transform base electric truck platforms into production-ready Outrider autonomous vehicles.

Based at Outrider's headquarters in Henderson, Colorado, you will own end-to-end vehicle upfit, assembly, integration, inspection, test, and verification, including sensors, compute and electrical systems, wiring and harnesses, mechanical assemblies, and robotic systems.

You will develop the manufacturing blueprint to scale Outrider from low-volume builds to efficient, repeatable production and translate that blueprint into day-to-day execution, both internally and with OEM and contract manufacturing partners. This is a hands-on leadership role with accountability for safety, people, quality, delivery, inventory, cost, facilities and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate has built and scaled complex electromechanical assembly operations from low-volume production through commercial scale and who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You combine strong manufacturing and quality expertise with technician leadership and a roll-up-your-sleeves approach to solving problems on the production floor and collaborating across departments.

Responsibilities

Lead & Scale Assembly Operations

• Own the end-to-end conversion of base electric trucks into fully integrated Outrider autonomous vehicles.
• Develop and execute the assembly roadmap for scaling from low-volume builds to efficient, repeatable, high quality commercial production.
• Lead daily assembly operations and a high-performing team of vehicle assembly and integration technicians to achieve safety, quality, schedule, and cost objectives.
• Design and optimize process flow, line layout, workstations, tooling, material presentation, staffing, capacity, and manufacturing footprint.
• Establish standard work, technician instructions, training and qualification programs, inspection criteria, production controls, and build documentation.
• Develop internal-versus-external manufacturing strategies and establish scalable processes with OEM and contract manufacturing partners.
• Work closely with commercial, engineering and operations cross-functional teams on production planning and cost efficiency.
• Oversee Outrider facilities

Drive Quality & Operational Excellence

• Manage and drive KPIs for safety, quality, delivery, cost, throughput, first-pass yield, rework, cycle time, WIP, and labor efficiency.
• Build quality into each stage of assembly through process controls, qualifications, measurement systems, in-process inspection, and end-of-line acceptance.
• Apply core lean and quality methods — root-cause analysis, statistical process control, and failure-mode risk analysis (PFMEA) — along with general familiarity with standard lean/quality tools (5S, Value Stream Mapping, Gauge R&R, APQP, etc.) 
• Partner with Engineering and Test to develop robust component, subassembly, and final-vehicle test processes, including failure analysis, repair, retest, and vehicle release.
• Drive continuous improvement in vehicle quality, reliability, throughput, labor efficiency, build time, footprint, and manufacturing cost.

Build Production Systems & Partnerships

• Deploy MES and manufacturing data systems supporting digital work instructions, work orders, routing, WIP, traceability, quality records, and production reporting.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Finance, and IT to implement and improve ERP/MRP, inventory management, material planning, and production-control processes.
• Maintain accurate vehicle configuration, build, inspection, test, and non-conformance records.
• Partner with Engineering on DFM/DFA/DFT, new product introduction, engineering changes, production readiness, tooling, fixtures, error-proofing, and automation.
• Ensure parts, kits, tools, and consumables support pr