Strategic Manufacturing Account Director - HVE in Palo Alto, California at Instrumental, Inc.

Instrumental technology is used by the world’s most admired electronics brands, such as NVIDIA, Cisco, and Meta, to accelerate new product development and improve production yields. Our technology leverages AI to process data generated on the manufacturing floor, automating failure identification and resolution, improving yield, quality, and time-to-market. In the past few quarters, our technology has become mission-critical for AI server manufacturers and leading consumer hardware companies. We’re rapidly growing our global presence to enable deeper integrations into our customers’ complex manufacturing environments.
We are seeking a Strategic Accounts Director to own and grow our High Volume Electronics (HVE) segment — partnering with leading consumer hardware brands operating in fast-paced NPI, Ramp, and Mass Production environments. This role combines hardware manufacturing depth, executive engagement, and team leadership. You will be accountable for driving measurable customer outcomes and segment-level revenue growth.
This is a high-impact, highly visible role with direct influence on Instrumental’s long-term positioning within some of the most recognizable hardware brands in the world.
Key Responsibilities:

• Own the High Volume Electronics segment. Define and execute the strategy across a portfolio of consumer hardware accounts, driving expansion across NPI, PVT, Ramp, and Mass Production. You are accountable for segment-level revenue growth and long-term positioning.
• Hiring and Team Management. You will inherit a team responsible for day-to-day value delivery. You will raise performance standards, establish clear operating rhythms, coach high performers, and hire as the segment grows.
• Drive executive engagement. Build trusted relationships with Director- and VP-level stakeholders across Engineering, Operations, and Quality. Lead data-driven Executive Business Reviews that translate manufacturing KPIs into financial outcomes such as yield lift, margin protection, and launch risk reduction
• Deliver measurable manufacturing impact. Ensure Instrumental drives improvements in defect detection, escape prevention, failure analysis cycle time, yield stabilization, and launch protection across high-volume programs.
• Orchestrate cross-functional alignment. Partner with Sales, Product, Engineering, and Data teams to ensure customer insights shape roadmap priorities and delivery models. Escalate systemic risks early and help the organization better serve HVE customers.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years operating in a Director-level or equivalent leadership role within hardware operations, engineering, or manufacturing.
• 10+ years of total experience with electronics development and manufacturing, and a deep understanding of how to transform movement in specific KPIs such as failure analysis time, yield, throughput, and quality to business and operational value.
• Understands NPI → PVT → Ramp → Mass Production lifecycle dynamics and how yield, UPH, defect trends, and cost-per-unit economics impact revenue and gross margin.
• Thrives in startup environments — taking ownership, moving with urgency, and creating clarity in ambiguous situations.
• Demonstrated experience leading and scaling technical or customer-facing teams.
• Strong executive communication skills, with experience presenting operational outcomes to VP- or C-level stakeholders.
• Ability to travel to customer sites as needed.

We’re a growing team that works collaboratively, supports each other, and is energized by having an impact. We work from our Palo Alto office at least 3 days a week and take any opportunity to travel to customer sites around the globe.
The following is a representative annual base salary range for this position within the Bay Area: $226k-260k. This position is additionally eligible for variable incentives. Job level and salary opportunities are evaluated during our interview process – we review each applicant's experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities to set compensation.
Instrumental is proud to offer a highly-rated variety of benefits, including health, vision, dental, commuter plans, and parental leave.