TPM, Fixed

About the role

Dandy is seeking a Technical Program Manager to enhance our Automation Team. This role is crucial for designing and implementing automated factory equipment. You will drive innovation and deploy systems to meet industry-leading quality benchmarks in dental manufacturing.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the technical, operational, and deployment aspects of manufacturing automation projects.
• Develop and refine factory processes and concepts for optimal automated manufacturing.
• Collaborate with factory personnel to establish and achieve objectives for automation and continuous improvement.
• Work with the factory team to define requirements, develop concepts, and visualize automated manufacturing workflows.
• Prepare requests for quotations and proposals detailing equipment design, delivery timelines, and acceptance criteria.
• Coordinate with vendors for machine construction, ensuring adherence to Dandy's specifications.
• Verify vendor compliance with Dandy's ARS specifications and requirements.
• Approve vendor designs, processes, and automation equipment.
• Plan and execute factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and commissioning of automation equipment.
• Integrate new machinery into factory operations, working with engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Monitor and report on operational efficiency, yield, and manufacturing metrics such as CpK and FMEA, using data to guide improvements.
• Provide regular progress updates to executives and escalate issues as necessary.
• Set ambitious goals and develop plans to achieve them.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in advanced manufacturing and high-speed custom automation, including automation engineering, process engineering, and technical program management.
• Proven ability to translate new product introduction requirements into large-scale custom automation solutions.
• Experience in prioritizing tasks for automation engineering teams and suppliers from concept through SAT and training.
• Track record of managing high-budget projects and monitoring expenditures with external vendors.
• Experience with value engineering, contract management, managing non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs, and the RFQ to purchase order process.
• Strong technical problem-solving skills and the ability to identify root causes in demanding environments.
• Capacity to manage automation programs with minimal oversight.
• Demonstrated leadership, project management, communication, collaboration, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of process and assembly automation, including equipment validation through FAT/SAT, optical inspection, GR&R, OEE, and line balancing.
• Ability to present technical updates clearly to executive audiences.
• Consistent collaboration with cross-functional teams, equipment suppliers, and technical consultants.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally up to 30%.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.

Nice to have

• Experience with ceramics, CNC machining, spray applications, or inkjet printing.
• Experience with plastics, 3D printing, thermoforming, or injection molding.
• Experience in technical writing of machine user requirements specifications.
• Experience with contract negotiation for capital expenditures.
• Experience in an FDA-regulated manufacturing environment, including ISO 13485, change control, and equipment validation (IQ, OQ, PQ).
• A positive attitude and the ability to enjoy work.
• Experience scaling operations in a high-growth startup.

Skills & tools

• Automation Engineering
• Process Engineering
• Technical Program Management
• Manufacturing
• Project Management
• Vendor Management
• RFQ/RFP
• FAT/SAT
• OEE
• CpK
• FMEA
• ISO 13485 (nice to have)
• IQ/OQ/PQ (nice to have)

Practical notes

• International travel up to 30% is required.
• Dandy provides comprehensive benefits packages, including healthcare, dental, mental health support, parental planning resources, retirement savings, and paid time off.
• Dandy is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.