Senior Manager/Director of Manufacturing
Optomec · St Paul, MN
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 18 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level manufacturing role at Optomec (industrial) in St Paul, MN. Hands-on experience in 3D printing technology, precision mechatronics, or additive manufacturing systems.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, Robotics
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Minnesota: typical posted base $92k–$141k.
Median of the low and high ends of 30 live postings that list pay, out of 52 manufacturing engineer openings in Minnesota, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Minnesota plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 51 other live manufacturing postings in Minnesota.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Typical $92k–$136k, from 28 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 52%
- ✓ Lean 44%
- Team leadership 35%
- ✓ New product launch 31%
- ✓ Root cause 29%
- Machining 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for ISO 9001, ISO 13485, Robotics, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Optomec
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from OptomecAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Leadership & Strategy
- ◆Develop and execute the overall manufacturing strategy for 3D printer systems and components for Optomec AJ line of printers.
- ◆Build and maintain strong relationships with external manufacturing partners (CMs, ODMs, OEMs).
- ◆Align manufacturing objectives with company goals for cost, quality, capacity, and time-to-market.
- ◆Outsourced Manufacturing Management
- ◆Oversee all aspects of outsourced production from qualification and onboarding to full-scale production.
- ◆Negotiate contracts, service level agreements, and pricing with manufacturing partners.
- ◆Manage production schedules, material flows, and yield performance.
- ◆Ensure time schedules for customer delivery are being met.
- ◆Operational Excellence
- ◆Drive continuous improvement initiatives in yield, cost reduction, and process efficiency.
- ◆Establish and monitor KPIs for supplier performance, quality, delivery, and cost.
- ◆Ensure compliance with ISO, CE, UL, and other relevant manufacturing standards.
- ◆Strong analytical and task oriented project management skills for delivery of systems on time and within budget.
- ◆Cross-Functional Collaboration
- ◆Partner with R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams to ensure manufacturability and product reliability.
- ◆Support new product introduction (NPI) and scaling from prototype to mass production.
- ◆Lead manufacturing readiness reviews and root cause analysis for production issues.
- ◆Team Development
- ◆Build and mentor a high-performing manufacturing operations team.
- ◆Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, work with senior management to meet company goals.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's or master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (MBA preferred).
- ✓10+ years of experience in manufacturing management of electro-mechanical or industrial equipment, preferably in 3D printing, robotics, or similar high-tech sectors.
- ✓Proven experience managing outsourced/contract manufacturing relationships (domestic and international).
- ✓Strong knowledge of NPI processes, supply chain integration, and quality management systems (ISO 9001, 13485 a plus).
- ✓Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver on key operational KPIs.
- ✓Excellent negotiation, communication, and project management skills.
- ✓Ability to travel internationally as required.
Preferred Experience
- ✓Hands-on experience in 3D printing technology, precision mechatronics, or additive manufacturing systems.
- ✓Experience scaling production from prototype to high-volume manufacturing.
- ✓Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and DFX principles.
- ✓Managing project deliverables to plan to meet customer and company goals
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Senior Manager / Director Of Manufacturing
We are seeking a Senior Manager / Director of Manufacturing to lead the global manufacturing operations for our advanced 3D printing hardware and equipment. This role will oversee all aspects of outsourced manufacturing with key contract manufacturing partners (CMs/ODMs/OEMs), ensuring world-class quality, cost efficiency, scalability, and delivery performance.
The ideal candidate will have deep experience managing outsourced production of complex electro-mechanical systems, a strong understanding of manufacturing process development, and a track record of driving continuous improvement across global supply networks.