Own the design and production department end-to-end - from concept and design through prototyping, vendor development, production ramp-up, and quality release. Design and detail mechanical components and enclosures (e.g., die-cast housings, EV powertrainadjacent parts) using CAD, with a strong focus on Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA). Identify, evaluate, and onboard new vendors and suppliers (die-casting, CNC machining, sheet metal, tooling, electronics assembly, etc.), and build a reliable, cost-effective vendor base for the company. Work closely with vendors on tooling, sampling, first-article inspection, and production readiness; negotiate cost, lead time, and quality terms. Partner closely with the Production team to plan, set up, and run manufacturing/assembly processes, and to troubleshoot issues on the shop floor. Partner closely with the Quality team to define inspection standards, resolve non-conformances, and drive continuous improvement in yield and reliability. Prepare and maintain drawings, BOMs, specifications, and SOPs for components, sub-assemblies, and the final product.Support prototyping and testing of new components and design iterations in coordination with the technical/patent team. Track production costs, vendor performance, and quality metrics, and report status regularly to the founder/management. Help build the design and production function from the ground up - processes, documentation, and (over time) a small team - as the company scales