Lead, Manufacturing Engineer

What we’re building

Every idea starts with a problem. Ours was simple: Boats are special — but they’re loud, pollutant, unreliable, and stuck in the past. Gas-powered boats dominate not because they’re great, but because no better option has existed. Until now.

Arc is here to change that. We’re building 100% electric boats from the ground up — quicker, quieter, easier to maintain, and better for the water they ride on. We’re not just swapping gas for batteries. We’re rethinking every detail on the boat — from propulsion and powertrain to software and ownership model — applying first-principles engineering from aerospace and EVs to deliver a better boating experience.

Electric boats haven’t taken over yet. The tech hasn’t been ready. The talent hasn’t been focused here. That’s our opportunity — and we’re moving fast.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who’s fired up by our mission and ready to build. You’ll thrive here if you adapt quickly, take ownership, and care about the details. 

This is a full-time, on-site role at our Los Angeles headquarters. You’ll report to the Head of Manufacturing and work closely with a lean, high-trust team where everyone’s work matters.

We’re ramping up our Manufacturing team supporting all facets of building electric boats, including:

• Structural assembly
• Power electronics systems
• Propulsion systems
• Interiors

Core responsibilities

• Leading a team of manufacturing engineers and specialists, focused on coaching and timely feedback to grow technical depth, ownership, and leadership skills. Identify stretch projects and training opportunities to accelerate development.
• Developing, implementing, and continuously improving integration and test build processes for hull, deck, battery, harnessing, and powertrain subsystems 
• Analyzing process data (cycle time, rework, cost drivers) to drive aggressive improvements in throughput and cost per boat
• Collaborating with the supply chain and quality teams to resolve vendor issues and improve incoming material readiness
• Partnering with design engineering to ensure manufacturability, reliability, and cost reduction in new and existing designs - spearhead DFM efforts to improve manufacturing and on-time delivery
• Aligning department targets and goals to the responsibilities of the ME team - Define build sequences, takt time targets, work instruction standards, safe work requirements to meet increasing production rates
• Leading evaluation, design and validation of fixtures, tooling, and other assets needed to enable faster, safer, and more repeatable work
• Supporting daily production in relentless pursuit of improving technician labor hours, throughput, and safety: troubleshoot blockers in real time, escalate issues quickly, and ensure line readiness at shift start across your scope
• Acting as a technical leader for quality personnel, supervisors, and technicians — bridging design intent with practical shop-floor execution
• Fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration

Basic qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or related technical discipline
• Willingness to get hands-on building next generation boats
• 2 years of experience in a manufacturing environment
• Exposure to multiple engineering disciplines
• Experience with building and testing complex systems at-rate
• Ability to articulate and defend engineering decisions
• Excellent grasp of the fundamentals of Design for Manufacturability
• Strong time management skills

Bonus qualifications 

• 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment 
• 2 years of experience managing technical teams (engineers, technicians, or both)
• Experience with multiple engineering disciplines
• Measured results in a fast-paced manufacturing setting
• Familiarity with hands on building of complex vehicles or systems
• Comfortable pushing at a fast but sustainable pace
• Enthusiasm for boating and the water

At Arc, we encourage diversity and consider all qualified applicants equally for employment, regardless of background, identity, or status. You’re always welcome to reach out even if you don’t meet many of these qualifications. Passion and aptitude make up for a lot.

Our values

We move with urgency and build with care. We value these five things above all else:

• Ownership over both your work and the company’s success
• Empathy for colleagues and for customers
• Humility  in problem solving and collaboration
• Pragmatism for navigating ambiguity quickly and sensibly 
• Inclusion of different backgrounds, opinions, cultures, and perspectives.

We want people who share and embody these values. It is vital that our values align - we’d be happy to elaborate on any or all of these during the interview process.

What we offer

We don’t think great work happens by accident. We invest in the people building Arc — because when you’re supported, you do your best work.

• Salary M2: $160,000 M3:$185,000
• Ownership – Equity in Arc
• 99% employer-paid health coverage – Medical, dental, and vision
• Arc Water Fund – Annual stipend to get out on the water, however you choose
• Captain Training – Get certified to take the boat out with friends and family
• 401(k) access – Plan your future
• Semi-annual bonuses – Tied to your impact, not just your tenure
• Daily team lunches, snacks, and good coffee while onsite
• Parental leave – Because family comes first
• Boat days – Yes, we actually go out on the water. A lot.
• A chance to define the future of boating
• The ability to drive positive environmental change through your work

Hope to hear from you soon!

The Crew at Arc