Application Guide
How to Apply for Director – Forward Deployed Engineering
at Re:Build Manufacturing
🏢 About Re:Build Manufacturing
Re:Build Manufacturing is on a mission to revitalize American manufacturing by combining advanced technology with end-to-end production capabilities across critical sectors like aerospace, defense, electrification, medical, energy, and robotics. What sets them apart is their commitment to the 'Re:Build Way'—16 principles that guide collaboration, customer partnerships, and community impact, including creating jobs in historically deindustrialized regions. Working here means being part of a purpose-driven team that's rebuilding the industrial base for a sustainable future.
About This Role
As Director of Forward Deployed Engineering, you'll lead a hands-on team within the Digital Innovation Group (DIG), embedding directly with customers and internal stakeholders to deploy digital solutions that solve real manufacturing challenges. This role is pivotal in scaling Re:Build's digital platform from concept to full-scale production, ensuring that innovative technologies are effectively integrated into factory floors and supply chains. You'll be at the intersection of engineering, customer success, and strategic growth, driving impact across multiple verticals.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start with a stand-up with your forward-deployed engineers, troubleshooting a deployment issue at a customer's factory. Later, you'll join a strategy call with Re:Build's leadership to align digital initiatives with business goals, then dive into a technical review with a customer to refine a solution. You'll balance coaching your team, hands-on problem-solving, and ensuring that every project embodies the Re:Build Way.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Re:Build Manufacturing Is Looking For
- Proven leader with 10+ years in engineering or technical roles, including 5+ years managing forward-deployed, customer-facing teams in industrial or manufacturing settings.
- Deep technical expertise in digital manufacturing technologies (e.g., IoT, MES, PLM, ERP, data analytics) and experience deploying them in production environments.
- Strong track record of partnering with customers to translate business needs into technical solutions, preferably in aerospace, defense, or other regulated industries.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and embody the Re:Build Way principles in a remote-first environment.
📝 Tips for Applying to Re:Build Manufacturing
Highlight specific examples of leading forward-deployed engineering teams that delivered measurable business outcomes for manufacturing customers, using metrics like reduced downtime or increased throughput.
Demonstrate familiarity with Re:Build's target verticals (aerospace, defense, electrification, etc.) by referencing relevant projects or challenges you've tackled in those areas.
Emphasize your ability to operate hands-on while leading—show how you've personally contributed to technical deployments, not just managed from afar.
Incorporate language from the Re:Build Way principles (e.g., 'collaboration,' 'customer partnership,' 'community impact') in your resume and cover letter to show cultural alignment.
Since the role is remote, provide concrete examples of how you've successfully led distributed teams and maintained strong customer relationships virtually.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for revitalizing American manufacturing and how your career aligns with Re:Build's mission to scale production in critical industries.", 'A specific achievement where you led a forward-deployed engineering team to solve a complex manufacturing problem, detailing the technology, approach, and quantifiable results.', 'Your experience working with customers in aerospace, defense, or other relevant verticals, and how you navigated regulatory or technical constraints.', 'How you embody the Re:Build Way principles, particularly collaboration, customer focus, and community impact, in your leadership style.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study the Re:Build Way principles in detail and reflect on how they manifest in your own work style and leadership approach.
- → Explore Re:Build's portfolio companies and recent projects to understand their digital manufacturing capabilities and gaps.
- → Research the current state of digital innovation in manufacturing, especially in aerospace, defense, and electrification, to speak knowledgeably about industry trends.
- → Investigate Re:Build's presence in deindustrialized regions and their community impact initiatives to align your personal values with theirs.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on leadership experience without demonstrating hands-on technical contributions—this role requires both.
- Using generic language about 'digital transformation' without tying it to specific manufacturing use cases or Re:Build's verticals.
- Neglecting to mention remote team management or customer engagement in a virtual setting, which is critical for this remote role.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Re:Build Manufacturing!