JOB SUMMARY

We are looking for a New Product Introduction Program Buyer/Planner to support our hardware development programs through the product development lifecycle. In this role, you will work across the Engineering, PMO, and Supply Chain departments to drive procurement execution, material tracking, and build readiness for rapid-iteration engineering builds. Depending on program needs, you may support any combination of hardware domains — mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, PCBAs, or full subsystem assemblies.

This is a high-impact, high-visibility role at the intersection of program management and supply chain. You will be the person who ensures that when engineers are ready to build, the parts are there — and when they're not, everyone knows why and what's being done about it. You'll gain deep exposure to hardware development, cross-functional coordination, and the full product lifecycle.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Procurement Requests & Tracking

• Submit and track purchase requests. Follow orders through the Supply Chain team's procurement process to delivery and receiving.
• Execute risk-buy requests as necessary for long-lead or high-risk components.
• Maintain sourcing plans and collaborate on identification of alternate suppliers for critical components.
• Track supplier commits, lead times, and delivery schedules. Flag risks early.
• Monitor market conditions and supplier roadmaps for supply challenges.

Clear-to-Build & Inventory

• Own procurement data integrity and clear-to-build (CTB) analyses. Maintain live material availability against build schedules.
• Manage material requirement plans and inventory levels — minimize shortages and excess.
• Manage prototype/temporary inventory (lab stock, dev kits, staging areas).

Hardware Releases & Engineering Changes

• Track releases through PLM (ECOs, revisions, release gates). Keep procurement aligned to current revisions.
• Assess material impact of engineering changes and adjust procurement plan accordingly
• Manage component phase-in/phase-out and obsolescence.

Vendor & Contract Manufacturer Coordination

• Track contract manufacturer commits, capacity, and constraints.
• When needed, coordinate movement of raw materials or components between suppliers and manufacturers.
• Support BOM cost tracking and Design for Cost activities.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Track and report KPIs: CTB, days-on-hand, inventory excess, obsolescence, delivery performance.
• Maintain procurement dashboards (open POs, CTB by subsystem, spend vs. budget).
• Drive process improvements in planning tools and supply chain workflows.

Program Management Support

• Support the TPM with schedule tracking, milestone reporting, and program review prep as it relates to product development.
• Track and close out material planning-related action items from design reviews, build meetings, and supplier calls.
• Support programs from early prototype through production, including transition to sustaining.
• Coordinate cross-functionally across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Hardware Build Awareness — Understanding of how hardware components come together in prototype and NPI builds. Comfortable in a lab, shop, or manufacturing environment.
• Procurement & Supply Chain Fundamentals — Familiarity with purchase orders, supplier management, lead time tracking, and basic sourcing concepts.
• Analytical & Detail-Oriented — Ability to maintain accurate trackers, spot discrepancies in data, and synthesize material status into clear summaries for leadership. Strong Excel/Sheets skills.
• Tool Proficiency — Comfort with or willingness to learn ERP/MRP systems, PLM tools, and project management platforms (Jira, Asana). Knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software is a plus.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Supply Chain
• 5+ years of experience in program management, project coordination, supply chain, manufacturing, or engineering operations.
• Preferred: Experience in robotics, automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, or other hardware-intensive industries.
• Preferred: Exposure to NPI, prototype builds, or early-stage product development.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer 
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times 
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen 
• Hearing and speech to communicate

JOB SUMMARY

Apptronik is building the next generation of humanoid robots, and our supply base must deliver cost-efficient, on-time, premium-quality electromechanical hardware across rapidly evolving designs and increasingly ambitious production volumes. We are looking for a Manufacturing Engineer embedded within our Supply Chain organization to serve as the technical authority on supplier manufacturing processes, quality systems, and production readiness for electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assemblies.

This is a hands-on manufacturing engineering role — not a procurement or sourcing coordinator position. You will spend significant time on supplier factory floors evaluating processes, resolving production issues, and qualifying new parts from prototype through rate production. The ideal candidate has deep, practical knowledge of how electromechanical hardware is built and inspected, and uses that expertise to make sourcing decisions, drive supplier development, and own production readiness at external manufacturing sites.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Manufacturing Process Ownership

• Serve as the internal subject matter expert on manufacturing processes for wire harness assemblies, PCBAs, motor assemblies, actuators, connectors, and other electromechanical components used in humanoid robotic systems
• Determine the ideal manufacturing method, process flow, and critical process parameters for new and re-sourced parts; define these requirements for suppliers
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, and process controls through on-site assessments; identify gaps and drive corrective actions
• Review and approve supplier process documentation including control plans, PFMEAs, and work instructions

New Product Introduction & Supplier Qualification

• Own the end-to-end NPI lifecycle at suppliers — from manufacturing feasibility review through PPAP/FAI approval and ramp to rate production
• Qualify new suppliers by conducting detailed manufacturing capability assessments covering process capability (Cpk/Ppk), equipment adequacy, workforce competency, and capacity
• Collaborate with design and materials engineers to ensure DFM feedback is incorporated early and manufacturing intent is clearly communicated to suppliers
• Develop and execute supplier qualification plans for new parts, engineering changes, and supplier transitions

Supplier Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone) for supplier quality escapes; drive containment, disposition, and permanent resolution
• Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics (PPM, OTD, first-pass yield, scrap rates) to identify systemic issues and develop data-driven improvement plans
• Create and disposition non-conformance reports and deviations, working with engineering counterparts on rework, repair, or use-as-is decisions
• Identify and implement product and process improvements that reduce cost, mitigate supply risk, eliminate defects, and improve cycle time

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with the procurement team to match sourcing decisions with verified supplier manufacturing capabilities — you are the technical voice in make-vs-buy and supplier selection decisions
• Function as the manufacturing engineering liaison between purchasing, design engineering, production, and the supplier base
• Conduct independent research to identify potential new suppliers and emerging manufacturing capabilities relevant to robotic hardware

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated experience conducting supplier manufacturing process audits and capability assessments on-site at supplier facilities
• Working knowledge of PPAP, APQP, FMEA (process), control plans, MSA, and SPC — not just awareness, but direct application in a manufacturing or supplier quality context
• Experience leading root cause and corrective action investigations (8D methodology) with suppliers
• Familiarity with quality management system standards (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, or NADCAP) and how they translate to shop-floor controls
• Proficiency with metrology tools and GD&T interpretation relevant to electromechanical hardware
• Ability to travel up to 30% (domestic and international supplier visits)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in robotics, aerospace, defense, automotive, or other high-reliability electromechanical product environments
• Familiarity with IPC standards (IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, J-STD-001)
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
• Experience with MRP/ERP systems and BOM management
• Background in DFM/DFA analysis for electromechanical assemblies

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline (a degree is required — related STEM degrees will be considered only with directly applicable manufacturing engineering experience)
• 5+ years of hands-on manufacturing engineering experience in at least two of the following: wire harness fabrication and assembly, PCB fabrication and PCBA assembly (SMT, wave, selective solder, conformal coat), electric motor or actuator assembly, connector and cable assembly, or other electromechanical component manufacturing

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
• Hearing and speech to communicate