Director of Manufacturing
Velo3D · Fremont, CA
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level manufacturing role at Velo3D (industrial) in Fremont, CA.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping, OEE
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $111k–$173k.
Median of the low and high ends of 165 live postings that list pay, out of 436 manufacturing engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 435 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Typical $109k–$159k, from 144 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 50%
- New product launch 44%
- ✓ Root cause 37%
- ✓ Automation 35%
- ✓ Machining 27%
- CATIA / NX 26%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping, OEE, 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 Velo3D
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.
This plant: Velo3D in Fremont
14 other open roles at this site.
- Process Engineer II/III · Process · Senior
- Process Engineering Technician · Process
- Quality Engineer · Quality
- Sr Manager, Process Engineering · Process · Manager
- Capital Equipment Technician 1 · Manufacturing · Technician
- Quality Assurance Engineer II, Preprint · Quality
Full description from Velo3DAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
(e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, FDA/medical standards as applicable).
- ✓Ensure adherence to SOPs, documentation, and lot/material traceability protocols.
- ✓Champion a strong safety culture and lead site EHS initiatives.
Requirements
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, or related field.
- ✓10+ years of manufacturing experience, including 5+ years in additive manufacturing .
- ✓Proven experience scaling manufacturing operations in a high-growth environment.
- ✓Strong understanding of AM processes, materials, machine operation, and post-processing.
- ✓Experience with ISO/AS quality systems and public-company operational rigor (documentation, controls, audits).
- ✓Demonstrated leadership of multi-functional manufacturing teams.
- ✓Experience with Lean/CI tools (5S, Kaizen, VSM, root-cause analysis).
- ✓Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Position Overview
The Director of Manufacturing is responsible for overseeing all manufacturing operations, including additive production, post-processing, materials management, quality control, maintenance, and continuous improvement. This role will build and optimize scalable processes, drive operational excellence, ensure regulatory and audit readiness, and lead the transition from prototype to full production. The ideal candidate thrives in a high-growth, fast-paced environment, and brings deep experience in additive manufacturing, operational scaling, and team leadership.
Manufacturing Leadership & Strategy
- •Develop and execute the manufacturing strategy aligned with company goals, customer requirements, and public-company operational expectations.
- •Lead day-to-day operations across additive printing, post-processing, machining, finishing, and assembly.
- •Build capacity models, production plans, and operating metrics to support revenue growth and product expansion.
- •Drive cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS, and Program Management.
Additive Manufacturing Operations
- •Oversee production across metal and/or polymer AM technologies (e.g., SLS, MJF, DMLS/SLM, FDM, SLA).
- •Ensure machine uptime, print quality, and process stability through robust preventive maintenance and calibration programs.
- •Implement Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) feedback loops with Engineering.
People Leadership
- •Manage and mentor a growing team of supervisors, technicians, operators, and support staff.
- •Develop a high-performance team culture focused on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- •Lead workforce planning, hiring, and training programs to support scale.
Quality, Compliance & Safety
- •Partner closely with Quality to maintain manufacturing readiness for audits, certifications, and regulatory
Operational Excellence
- •Drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and data-driven methodologies.
- •Optimize workflows, material flow, and facility layout for efficiency and scalability.
- •Establish KPIs for throughput, OEE, scrap rates, cost per part, and scheduling accuracy.
- •Manage production budgets and contribute to forecasting for capital equipment, staffing, and operational costs.
Technology & Equipment Management
- •Evaluate and implement new AM technologies, software, automation tools, and post-processing equipment.
- •Oversee capital equipment acquisitions and the commissioning of new systems.
Preferred
- +Experience in aerospace, medical device, or industrial manufacturing regulated environments.
- +Master’s degree (MBA or technical field).
- +Six Sigma certification.
- +Experience with ERP/MES systems (e.g., NetSuite, Odoo, Epicor, Dynamics).