JobTarget Logo

Automotive Technical Director at MachinaLabs – Chatsworth, California

MachinaLabs
Chatsworth, California, 91311, United States
Posted on
NewSalary:$180000 - $230000Job Function:Professional Services
New job! Apply early to increase your chances of getting hired.

About This Position

Automotive Technical Director

About Machina Labs:

At Machina Labs, were reshaping manufacturing through advanced robotics and machine learning. Our platform uses the largest 6-axis robots on the market to form 2D sheets of metal into complex 3D parts, layer-by-layer.

Traditional sheet metal production was designed for scale, not flexibility. It relies on costly dies and tooling that make lower volume projects prohibitively slow and expensive. Were changing that. Whether youre a startup building a few thousand airframes or an automaker prototyping next-generation components, Machina Labs gives you the ability to iterate and manufacture at the speed of software.

With support from the venture arms of Toyota, NVIDIA, and Lockheed Martin, were accelerating the future of manufacturing, one where factories are flexible, production is on-demand, and innovation is unconstrained.

Job Description:

Machina Labs is seeking an Automotive Technical Director will serve as our senior technical leader for the automotive sector, translating deep automotive OEM and Tier 1 manufacturing expertise into a new, first-of-a kind customization offering by Machina Labs.

This role bridges advanced robotics with automotive manufacturing rigor, ensuring our technology meets industry standards for quality, manufacturability, and throughput. You will act as the technical face of Machina Labs with automotive customers while partnering internally with Engineering and Operations to embed automotive workflows and processes into our factories.

This is a strategic and hands-on role focused on shaping our automotive offering, supporting customer engagements, and driving the evolution from early concepts to repeatable and scalable production.

Key Responsibilities:
Define and Scale Machinas Automotive Offering:
  • Lead the evolution of Machina Labs automotive solutions from early production programs to scaled, repeatable deployment.
  • Apply deep expertise in BIW, stamping and forming, welding, painting, and final assembly to ensure manufacturability, quality, and production readiness.
  • Establish and institutionalize production readiness frameworks that meet or exceed OEM and Tier 1 standards.
Serve as the Technical Leader for Automotive Customers:
  • Act as the senior customer-facing technical authority for OEM and Tier 1 engagements.
  • Support RFQs, technical reviews, manufacturing assessments, and executive-level discussions.
  • Build long-term customer trust through technical credibility, clarity of communication, and disciplined execution.

Shape Industry Engagement and Product Direction:
  • Represent Machina Labs in strategic automotive engagements, conferences, and industry forums.
  • Translate external automotive trends and customer feedback into actionable input for product development, process maturity, and roadmap priorities.
Build and Embed the Automotive Playbook:
  • Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, and Factory Deployment teams to integrate automotive-grade standards into scalable systems.
  • Mentor internal teams on automotive expectations, structured decision-making, and production discipline.
Required Background & Experience:
  • 15+ years of experience within the automotive industry at an OEM and/or Tier 1 supplier.
  • Deep hands-on experience with BIW, stamping and forming, welding, and paint systems.
  • Demonstrated success transitioning manufacturing programs from pilot to full production.
  • Strong working knowledge of automotive quality systems and production standards.
  • Ability to operate effectively at both plant-floor and executive strategy levels.
  • Established credibility and reputation within the automotive ecosystem.
  • Bachelors or Masters degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related STEM field.
  • Willingness to travel approximately 25 percent.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in startup or high-growth environments.
  • Experience introducing innovative or non-traditional manufacturing technologies.
  • Background in advanced manufacturing, robotics, or automation systems.
The base salary range for this role is $180,000 $230,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and overall alignment with the scope of the position.

In addition to base compensation, Machina Labs offers competitive benefits and stock option participation.

Relocation assistance is available for candidates who are not currently local to the Los Angeles area.

$180,000 - $230,000 a year

Job Location

Chatsworth, California, 91311, United States

Frequently asked questions about this position

Latest Job Openings in California

Veterinary Technician, Emergency

Ethos Veterinary Health
Campbell, CA

Assistant Site Supervisor (Escondido)

Heartbeat Music & Performing Arts Academy
Escondido, CA

Registered Nurse (RN) - Per Diem

Hydration Room, Inc.
San Francisco, CA
Continue to apply
Enter your email to continue. You’ll be redirected to the employer’s application.
By clicking Continue, you understand and agree to JobTarget's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Apply Now