Technical Program Manager

Summary

Join Dandy's rapidly expanding Automation Team as a Technical Program Manager and play an instrumental role in innovating, developing, and deploying automated systems for our factories. You will lead technical, operational, and lifecycle aspects of manufacturing automation initiatives, collaborating closely with factory teams to achieve ambitious quality standards. Responsibilities include innovating factory processes, creating OKRs, drafting requirements documents, developing concepts, creating RFQs/RFPs, engaging with vendors, ensuring adherence to Dandy's specifications, approving vendor processes, designing and executing FAT/SAT, integrating new machines, supervising and reporting manufacturing metrics, and reporting status to executives. This highly visible role requires strong technical skills, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. International travel up to 30% is required.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in Advanced Manufacturing and high speed custom automation: Automation Engineering, Process Engineering, and Technical Program Management and translating NPI requirements to large scale custom automation solutions
• Strong background in prioritizing tasks for AME’s and Suppliers from Conceptual Design through SAT and Production Team Training
• Experience in managing high budget projects and tracking spend with external vendors. Previous display of Value Engineering, contract engagement, managing NRE, and RFQ to PO issuance process
• Strong technical skills, involving problem-solving and issue root causing in a high pressure environment
• Ability to run automation program with minimum supervision
• Interpersonal skills of leadership, project management, communication, collaboration, influencing and negotiation
• In-depth understanding of Process, assembly automation pertaining to equipment validation through FAT/SAT (optical inspection, GRR, OEE, Line Balancing and Process Flow optimization)
• Capability to summarize and articulate technical updates into executive-level presentations (know your audience and tailor the presentation accordingly)
• Constant partnership with cross-functional teams across Dandy, its equipment suppliers, and technical consultants
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally up to 30%
• BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering or allied technical subject

Responsibilities

• Drive the technical, operational and lifecycle of various manufacturing automation initiatives within the organization
• Innovate factory processes, concepts, and design to enable an ideal automated manufacturing process
• Work closely with factory teams to create and achieve OKRs for automation and continuous improvement programs
• Work with our factory team to draft requirements documents, develop concepts, and envision the automated manufacturing process
• Create Request for Quotation/Proposal (RFQ/RFPs) that documents the design requirements of the automated equipment, delivery schedule, required documentation and qualification for acceptance at machine supplier facility and our factory
• Engage with vendors to construct the machines, ensuring the system aligns with Dandy's specifications and standards
• Ensure vendors are conforming to Dandy’s ARS specs and requirements
• Approve vendor process, process flow and automation equipment design
• Design and execute FAT, SAT (acceptance testing) and commissioning of automation equipment/line into our factories
• Lead the initiative in integrating the newly built machines into the factory, working alongside engineers and manufacturing teams to ensure optimal operation
• Supervise and report OEE, Yield, manufacturing metrics (CpK, FMEA etc.) from automated systems. Interpret machine output metrics to drive improvement programs as appropriate
• Routine status reporting to executives and escalation of issues as needed
• Set bold targets and drive plans to achieve

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong professional references showcasing successful past projects
• Experience with ceramics, CNC machining, spray applications, inkjet printing, etc
• Experience with plastics, 3D printing, thermoforming, injection molding, etc
• Experience with technical writing of specifications specific to machine user requirements
• Experience with Contract engagement and negotiation of CapEx
• Experience in FDA regulated manufacturing environment (ISO 13485, Change Control, IQ, OQ, PQ Equipment Validation..etc)
• Relentlessly positive attitude and the ability to have fun at work
• High growth startup scaling experience is a plus

Benefits

• Healthcare
• Dental
• Mental health support
• Parental planning resources
• Retirement savings options
• Generous paid time off