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Charge Robotics, a Series A startup backed by Founders Fund, Energy Impact Partners, Lux Capital, and Y Combinator, is building autonomous robots that construct solar farms. The company has already shipped its first commercial system and is scaling operations to meet surging demand in the renewable energy sector.
As Head of Manufacturing, you will own the complete manufacturing function from establishing and operationalizing the first production facility through scaling to support field deployments. This is a foundational leadership role where you will build and lead a world-class manufacturing team, establish processes and organizational infrastructure, and drive the transition from early commercial builds to repeatable, high-quality production at scale.
Key responsibilities include:
- Building, leading, and growing the manufacturing team while aligning manufacturing strategy with company goals and product roadmap
- Operationalizing the production facility end-to-end, including site readiness, equipment procurement, workflows, safety protocols, and staffing
- Establishing manufacturing processes, documentation, and organizational design (BOMs, drawings, part qualification, supplier quality)
- Building a manufacturing engineering organization in close collaboration with design engineering to optimize for manufacturability across HQ builds, facility production, and field deployments
- Owning the New Product Introduction (NPI) process to ensure smooth handoffs from development to production
- Collaborating with supply chain to drive COGS reduction through Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback, process optimization, and yield improvement
- Representing the manufacturing function to employees, customers, executives, and investors; owning EHS compliance and safety culture
- Traveling approximately 20% for field deployments and production facility oversight
You will work in close partnership with engineering, supply chain, and field teams in a fast-paced, in-person startup environment where you can roll up your sleeves while maintaining strategic organizational context.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 10+ years of professional experience, including 3+ years in a manufacturing leadership role
- Demonstrated experience standing up and operationalizing a production facility
- Track record bringing complex electromechanical systems (especially those involving metal fabrication, rigging, or heavy machinery) from prototype to production
- Proficiency with DFM, DFA, and/or GD&T principles
- Experience sourcing and qualifying suppliers and contract manufacturers
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate clearly across engineers, suppliers, technicians, and leadership
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, in-person startup environment
- Based in or willing to relocate to the SF Bay Area
- Able to work 4-5 days per week from San Leandro HQ
- Openness to approximately 20% travel
- Passion for climate impact
NICE-TO-HAVE:
- Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field
- Experience in automation, robotics, or capital equipment manufacturing
- Background with solar or construction industry technologies
- Familiarity with high-complexity, low-volume production environments
- Experience with ION manufacturing software
