Director of US Manufacturing and Engineering

What you’ll do

We are building a state-of-the-art medium-voltage transformer manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas, while also operating a switchboard assembly facility in Long Beach, California. As the Director of U.S. Manufacturing and Engineering, you will lead the commissioning and ramp-up of our Houston facility, oversee production at our Long Beach site, and take full P&L responsibility for both businesses. You’ll build and lead high-performing teams, drive operational excellence, and work closely with international engineering and production teams to ensure world-class product quality, safety, and efficiency. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Giga’s U.S. manufacturing footprint and have a major impact on the company’s growth trajectory.

Where you’ll work

This role will be based in our Houston, Texas headquarters, with frequent travel to our Long Beach, CA facility. You must be willing to work on-site full-time, outside of our bi-weekly WFH Fridays.

Responsibilities

• Own overall performance and profitability of U.S. manufacturing operations (Houston + Long Beach).
• Develop and execute operational and engineering strategies to deliver on cost, quality, delivery, and growth targets.
• Build and lead high-performing leadership teams across both facilities.
• Lead commissioning, staffing, and ramp-up of the Houston transformer facility.
• Establish and optimize manufacturing processes, engineering workflows, and production schedules.
• Oversee shop management, product engineering, and supply chain for transformers and switchboards.
• Ensure delivery, quality, and engineering improvements at Long Beach facility.
• Standardize operational and engineering practices across U.S. sites.
• Collaborate with international production teams in China and engineering teams in India to align design, quality, and supply chain.
• Implement performance metrics and reporting to track productivity and profitability.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and other safety and regulatory standards.
• Develop and manage operating budgets; own cost, yield, and productivity metrics.

Requirements

• 12+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, ideally in electrical equipment (transformers, switchgear, switchboards) or similar industrial products.
• Proven experience managing multiple sites with full P&L ownership.
• Successful track record commissioning or scaling production facilities.
• Strong leadership skills with experience building high-performing, cross-functional teams.
• Comfortable collaborating with international teams across multiple time zones.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently between facilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.

Bonus points 

• Direct experience with medium-voltage transformers or switchboards.
• Advanced degree (MBA or MS in Engineering).

Benefits

• Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance
• Equity (options) in a rapidly growing startup
• 401(k) with 4% employer match
• Unlimited PTO
• Parental leave
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Commuter benefits
• Monthly team onsites where all offices come in–person to collaborate

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Giga Energy is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. Giga Energy complies with all applicable labor laws, including the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and other relevant state and federal regulations. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage applicants who require accommodations during the hiring process to contact us.