Manufacturing & Supply Chain Lead

Swarmbotics AI•Phoenix, AZ

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Swarmbotics is seeking a hands-on, highly capable Manufacturing & Supply Chain Lead to own and execute manufacturing and supply chain activities for our small, autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles – known as “FireAnts.” This individual contributor role will be responsible for sourcing components, managing vendors, coordinating batch robot builds, controlling inventory, and driving cost-down initiatives across the system. This role is critical to scaling our robots from prototype to repeatable, low-rate production in demanding defense and commercial environments. The Manufacturing & Supply Chain Lead will work closely with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and supply-chain resilient, while personally executing the day-to-day operational work required in a fast-moving startup. The ideal candidate has seen what excellent manufacturing looks like at scale within a world-class organization, but has also operated in a startup environment where processes are built from scratch and execution matters more than structure.

Requirements

Strong desire to work in the very fast-paced, fluid environment
Ability to work onsite in the Phoenix, AZ area
Proven experience owning manufacturing and supply chain execution for electromechanical products
Hands-on experience sourcing components, placing orders, managing lead times, and coordinating vendors
Demonstrated ability to negotiate pricing, MOQs, and terms with suppliers
Experience coordinating and executing batch builds, including BOM readiness, kitting, and build sequencing
Strong working knowledge of inventory management and production planning in low-to-medium volume environments
Ability to drive cost-reduction initiatives through vendor selection, component trade studies, and DFM/DFA feedback
Sufficient engineering background to work effectively with mechanical and electrical engineers and evaluate technical tradeoffs
Experience conducting trade studies and independent sourcing research on components and subsystems
BS in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related technical field.
Excitement about contributing to the defense of the United States and its allies
Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance (no active clearance required)

Nice To Haves

Experience at a large, high-performing manufacturing organization (e.g., Tesla, Apple, SpaceX, or similar) with exposure to scaled production, cost optimization, and supply chain rigor
Experience operating within an early-stage or growth-stage hardware startup, including taking products from prototype to low-rate production
Background in robotics, defense systems, aerospace, automotive, or other complex electromechanical products
Experience with contract manufacturers and external assembly partners
Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems, BOM management tools, and production documentation
Strong mechanical or electrical engineering foundation enabling deeper DFM/DFA collaboration
Prior experience serving as the sole or primary manufacturing/supply chain owner within a small team