Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering - Electric Propulsion and Test

Palo AltoFull-time (Exempt)senior

Manufacturing EngineerManufacturing & ProductionManager, Manufacturing Engineering

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Overview

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop,

Technical Tools

Manufacturing EngineerManufacturing & ProductionManager, Manufacturing Engineering

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.

Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in early 2026.

Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.

As we enter commercial operations, we are seeking an experienced Sr. Manager, Manufacturing Engineering - Electric Propulsion and test. This role would lead the team responsible for delivering battery and electrical motor equipment for our manufacturing lines, driving the design and development of new cutting-edge equipment and test processes to improve and optimize our electric propulsion system. 

Lead the design and scaling of Pivotal’s Electric Propulsion System production line — from concept to high-rate manufacturing — including layout, automation strategy, tooling, and ramp-up planning.

Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Design, Quality, Facilities, and Manufacturing teams to bring new electric motor and battery systems into production.

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) efforts to ensure products are built efficiently, safely, and at scale.

Develop and execute comprehensive manufacturing build plans — defining part flow, line layout, tools, equipment, and the manufacturing bill of materials (MBOM).

Specify and validate automation systems, tooling, and test equipment to support high-reliability production.

Perform PFMEA (Process Failure Mode & Effects Analysis) to proactively identify and mitigate risk in the production system.

Author and approve detailed work instructions for EPS assembly and installation.

Support first article builds and production validation testing to ensure process stability and repeatability.

Drive continuous improvement through Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies

This role also requires working closely with cross-functional teams including plant operations, sourcing, engineering, project management, and equipment suppliers

Shall actively participate in supplier selection, equipment design review & price negotiation

Identify requirements and implement new tooling, fixtures & machines to implement Poka Yoke

Directly lead and mentor engineers. Foster an environment where individuals flourish and develop career growth plans with them.

Develop equipment and process specifications, assess vendor capabilities and make sourcing recommendations based on data

Develop strategies to achieve challenging program timelines, from resource and schedule management to risk mitigation plans

Provide in depth design for manufacture (DFM) feedback to the Product Engineering team to ensure that our assembly processes are cost efficient, robust and deliver high quality results

Solve technically complex problems using fundamental, data driven methodologies

Lead research and development activities for new manufacturing technologies that address assembly and automation challenges

Lead feasibility studies to aid validation of manufacturing strategies

Partner with and manage expectations between cross functional teams to ensure stakeholder engagement and satisfaction with the engineering solutions delivered

Develop standards and processes as a foundation for how the Manufacturing Engineering team operates. Build an industry leading knowledge base.

Document, maintain, and improve the team's execution process

Bachelor's degree in engineering or similar technical field.

12+ years of experience in an engineering role in an automated manufacturing environment.

Demonstrated success at planning for and project managing equipment & facility installations.

Skilled in manufacturing and industrial engineering principles (OEE, cycle time analysis, Cp/Cpk, GR&R, ergonomics, DOE, quality control, equipment selection, return on investment, error proofing, supply chain & logistics)

Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems using first principles, challenge assumptions and biased towards action

Proven technical leader that can lead and influence cross-functional teams

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, ability to concisely summarize and escalate complex topics

Experienced working within 2D & 3D CAD environments and various engineering tools

Experience transitioning automated systems from prototype to production

Experience creating test specification documentation and test limit management

Experience in battery manufacturing

Ability to travel both domestically and internationally as required

Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.

Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.

Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication—committing to shared decisions for the greater good.

Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.

Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.

Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.