Operations & Project Management Leader

About

Build and Run the Physical Backbone of 4MP
On Site · HQ Allentown, PA · Seed Stage

At 4MP, we are building a new foundation for modern manufacturing. Our platform enables CNC machines to self‑diagnose, self‑correct, and continuously improve — making First Part Right is manufacturing a reality at scale.

But building this future requires more than software. It requires a strong physical and operational foundation: labs, equipment, test environments, supplier coordination, technical infrastructure, and disciplined execution that allows engineering and product teams to move quickly and effectively.

We are now building that foundation and are seeking a hands‑on leader who can blend operations, project management, and testing execution to support 4MP’s R&D and prototype development efforts.

This is not a production role.
This is not a desk role.
This is a builder role for someone who can turn technical ambition into an operationally functioning reality.

Mission

Design, establish, and run the operational backbone that supports 4MP’s R&D, prototyping, and testing activities — ensuring that facilities, equipment, suppliers, projects, and technical workflows are aligned so engineering teams can execute at the highest level with speed and discipline.

What You Will Build

• Company lab, workshop, and technical development environments
• Testing and prototype infrastructure
• Project management systems across technical workstreams
• Machine tool, metrology, and supporting equipment readiness
• Supplier and vendor ecosystems
• Procurement and inventory systems
• Maintenance and uptime processes for development equipment
• Safety and compliance practices for technical operations
• Operational workflows, documentation, and execution discipline
• Scalable infrastructure to support R&D growth

Role Nature: Founding Operations, Project Management & Test Leadership

This is a founding‑level role that combines strategic ownership with hands‑on execution. You will help establish and run the physical and operational environment in which 4MP develops, tests, and validates its technology. That includes coordinating facilities, equipment, sourcing, installation, test readiness, technical logistics, timelines, and cross‑functional execution.

You will operate at the intersection of:

• Operations
• Project management
• Testing and validation support (hardware & software)
• Facilities and lab infrastructure
• Supplier and technical vendor coordination

This role is ideal for someone who can bring order, momentum, and execution rigor to a highly technical R&D environment.

Who You Are

• A builder with strong execution discipline
• Comfortable managing both strategy and day‑to‑day operations
• Highly organized and capable of driving technical projects forward
• Hands‑on and comfortable in lab, workshop, and technical environments
• Strong with vendor management, sourcing, and negotiation
• Process‑oriented without becoming bureaucratic
• Calm and effective in fast‑moving, ambiguous environments
• Motivated by helping technical teams execute quickly and effectively

Key Responsibilities

• Design, organize, and manage the company's lab, workshop, and technical spaces
• Support prototype, testing, and validation activities through strong operational execution
• Source and procure CNC machines, metrology equipment, tooling, and development infrastructure
• Build and manage supplier and vendor relationships, including contract coordination
• Oversee equipment delivery, installation, readiness, maintenance, and service coordination
• Create operational systems for inventory, spare parts, tools, and consumables
• Drive project management across infrastructure, equipment, and technical execution workstreams
• Help coordinate internal timelines, dependencies, and resource needs across teams
• Ensure safe, well‑organized, and compliant technical environments
• Support engineering teams with fast, reliable, hands‑on operational problem‑solving
• Help establish documentation, workflows, and operating discipline that can scale with the company
• Manage budgets related to facilities, equipment, testing, and technical operations

Technical & Professional Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in operations, technical project management, manufacturing environments, R&D support, or industrial procurement
• Proven experience building, organizing, or managing technical facilities, labs, workshops, or engineering environments
• Strong understanding of machine tools, metrology, industrial equipment, or technical systems
• Experience managing technical vendors, supplier relationships, and service providers
• Experience coordinating capital equipment purchases, installation, and readiness
• Strong organizational, documentation, and execution skills
• Ability to manage multiple moving technical workstreams simultaneously
• Comfort working across office, lab, and shop‑floor settings
• Ability to support a fast‑scaling engineering and development environment

Experience & Education

Required

• 10+ years of professional experience in operations, technical program/project management, facilities, manufacturing support, or procurement
• Demonstrated experience supporting technical teams in industrial, engineering, or R&D environments
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field — or equivalent practical experience

Preferred

• Master’s degree or MBA
• Experience in aerospace, automotive, medical devices, advanced manufacturing, or precision engineering
• Experience supporting R&D, prototype development, or advanced engineering teams

Strong Plus

• Experience with lab build‑outs and technical facilities
• Experience coordinating testing or validation environments
• Background in international sourcing
• Experience in startup or scale‑up environments
• Ability to bring structure to complex, cross‑functional technical efforts

Why This Role Matters

• Enables uninterrupted engineering and prototype execution
• Creates the physical and operational backbone for testing and development
• Improves equipment readiness and uptime
• Brings discipline to technical project execution
• Reduces friction across teams and external partners
• Accelerates product development and validation
• Builds scalable infrastructure for future growth

Why Join Now

This is the phase where the foundations are set.

• Your work will determine how efficiently and effectively 4MP develops, tests, and validates its technology in the years ahead. Joining now means helping build the operational engine behind autonomous manufacturing — from the ground up.