​Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Director

Temporary Contract with Option to Convert to Permanent

Position Summary

We are recruiting a DFM Director on an initial temporary basis, with the potential to transition into a permanent, direct-hire position based on performance, business requirements and mutual agreement.

The role will support products moving from development into scalable production, working across engineering, quality, supply chain and manufacturing within a regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage product transition from prototype to full-scale production.

• Improve manufacturability, assembly efficiency, quality and production costs.

• Develop manufacturing processes, tooling strategies and production documentation.

• Support new product introduction across engineering, quality, operations and supply chain.

• Assess suppliers and contract manufacturers.

• Coordinate prototype builds, pilot production and manufacturing ramp-up.

• Resolve production issues and support root-cause analysis.

• Monitor manufacturing readiness, milestones and launch activities.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related discipline.

• 10+ years’ manufacturing engineering, NPI or production-launch experience.

• Strong knowledge of DFM, DFA, manufacturing processes and quality systems.

• Experience with suppliers and contract manufacturers.

• Strong project-management and cross-functional leadership skills.

Preferred

• Regulated manufacturing experience.

• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, APQP, PPAP or FMEA.

• Experience scaling products into volume production.

Contract Opportunity

The position will commence as a temporary assignment, with the option to convert to permanent, direct-hire employment. Conversion will depend on performance, organisational requirements and mutual agreement.

Compensation

$100–$130 per hour, depending on experience.

W-2, 1099 and Corp-to-Corp engagement options are available.

Permanent salary and benefits would be discussed upon conversion to direct employment.

Interested?

For a confidential discussion, contact Stephen Stuart at sstuart@vallumassociates.com or +1 617 333 8825. All enquiries will be handled in strict confidence.