Principal Manufacturing Launch Engineer Robotics

Tennant Company•Minneapolis, MN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Tennant Company is seeking a highly collaborative and strategically minded leader to serve as the primary liaison between the Robotics Venture program teams and the broader operations and manufacturing organization. This role is accountable for ensuring the successful launch of new robotic products into global manufacturing, representing the venture’s program objectives while aligning with core operations standards and processes. The ideal candidate excels at cross-functional collaboration, navigating complex organizational structures, and driving the operational readiness required to meet ambitious product launch schedules. The Principal Launch Engineer is accountable to ensure global manufacturing sites are prepared to scale robotics into repeatable, reliable production. Success is measured by meeting schedule deliverables, the efficiency of assembly, cost optimization, and successful adherence to quality and compliance standards during product launch.

Requirements

Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering (Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial) from an ABET accredited institution is required.
Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production launch, or industrial process implementation, preferably on complex electro-mechanical systems and/or electric vehicle architectures.
Proven experience in product launch management, manufacturing operations, and program management in complex, global environments.
Broad technical knowledge in the design and development of mechanical and computer controlled electro-mechanical systems.
Strong capability to build partnerships, communicate effectively and concisely, and work collaboratively on cross-functional teams (R&D, Systems, Supply Chain, Operations).
Deep understanding of global manufacturing processes, supply chain considerations, and operational best practices.
Strategic thinker with a focus on operational execution
Effective liaison between program teams and operations with excellent communication skill
Ability to manage competing priorities and drive results in a matrix organization
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills

Responsibilities

Shaping and aligning cross functional strategies to ensure that manufacturing decisions support broader organizational goals and future growth opportunities
Collaborating closely with program teams to translate product design, technical specifications, and launch requirements into actionable operational plans.
Identifying potential manufacturing constraints or risks and proactively develop mitigation strategies.
Maintaining accountability to the venture program teams for successful launch outcomes, balancing the needs of the broader operations organization.
Track and report launch progress, risks, and dependencies to venture leadership and operations stakeholders.
Identify and drive initiatives that enhance the long-term scalability, adaptability and competitive advantage for robotics manufacturing platform
Serve as the primary point of contact between the Robotics Venture program teams and global manufacturing operations.
Lead the production launch and implementation of new robotics designs and subsystems into manufacturing facilities.
Define and establish production process standards and documentation (e.g., assembly, testing).
Represent the venture’s priorities and requirements within core operations, ensuring alignment on manufacturing readiness, supply chain, quality, and process capabilities.
Facilitate communication and alignment between venture product teams and regional/global manufacturing sites to ensure timely, cost-effective, and high-quality product launches.
Collaborate closely with R&D, Machine Integration, and Supply Chain to embed design for manufacturing principles.
Provide critical feedback during Design Reviews to ensure designs meet stringent production requirements for cost and quality
Incorporate market trends, customer feedback, and competitive benchmarking into launch manufacturing strategies to ensure products meet evolving business and customer needs.