HOW WE WORK
How We Work — From First Conversation to Final Delivery, Every Step Defined
Most CMs ask you to trust their process. We show you ours before you call. Every Fixyte program runs under the same structured five-phase engagement model — regardless of vertical, volume, or program complexity. Fixed-price SOW before work begins. First article validation before production. Full documentation with every delivery. One engineer accountable from kickoff through delivery.
Fixyte Systems operates a structured five-phase contract manufacturing engagement model — discovery and qualification, design package review and DFM assessment, fixed-price statement of work with milestone billing, first article validation, and production with full documentation. Every program runs under this model. Defense and aerospace, medical and life sciences, industrial capital equipment, and robotics and automation programs all follow the same structured process — with vertical-specific adjustments for documentation requirements, compliance obligations, and acceptance criteria.
Start a ProjectHOW WE ENGAGE
From first conversation to final delivery — here’s exactly what happens.
Discovery
30-minute conversation. We tell you directly if we're the right fit.
Mutual qualification. Both sides know if it makes sense to move forward.
Typical timeline: Same week as first contact
Scope Review
Design package review and DFM assessment before we price anything.
Manufacturability assessment, identified risks, and pricing basis.
Typical timeline: 3–5 business days after receiving design package
Statement of Work
Fixed-price SOW. Everything defined before work begins.
Signed fixed-price SOW with milestone payment schedule.
Typical timeline: 1–2 weeks from scope review
First Article
First unit built and validated before production begins.
Validated first article and approved build documentation.
Typical timeline: Program-specific — defined in SOW
Production
Full run built to first-article standard with complete documentation.
Complete production run with full documentation package.
Typical timeline: Milestone‑gated — defined in SOW
Discovery
30-minute conversation. We qualify the program and fit.
Mutual qualification and next-step clarity.
Typical timeline: Same week as first contact
Scope Review
Design review and DFM before pricing.
Manufacturability assessment and risk identification.
Typical timeline: 3–5 business days
Statement of Work
Fixed-price SOW before work begins.
Signed SOW with milestone billing.
Typical timeline: 1–2 weeks
First Article
First unit built and validated.
Approved first article and documentation.
Typical timeline: Defined in SOW
Production
Production run with documentation.
Complete build and delivery package.
Typical timeline: Milestone‑gated
Every Fixyte program runs under this model — no exceptions. Fixed‑price SOW before work begins. First article before production. Full documentation on every unit.
How We Handle Scope Changes
Scope changes happen on every complex program. The question is not whether they'll happen — it's how they're handled when they do. At Fixyte, every scope change follows the same process regardless of size.
Change Identified
You- Drawing revision released
- Component substitution needed
- Quantity or date change
Impact Assessment
Fixyte- Cost impact documented
- Timeline impact assessed
- Written change order prepared
Change Order Signed
Both- Written agreement before work changes
- No verbal authorizations
- No assumed approvals
Program Continues
Both- Work proceeds under revised SOW
- Change order in program record
- Documentation reflects current revision
Change Identified
Owner: You- • Drawing revision released
- • Component substitution needed
- • Quantity or date change
Impact Assessment
Owner: Fixyte- • Cost impact documented
- • Timeline impact assessed
- • Written change order prepared
Change Order Signed
Owner: Both- • Written agreement before work changes
- • No verbal authorizations
- • No assumed approvals
Program Continues
Owner: Both- • Work proceeds under revised SOW
- • Change order in program record
- • Documentation reflects current revision
You should never be surprised by what we’re building or what it costs.
If something changes, you know before it changes — and you agree before we act on it.
What One Engineer Owns Your Program Actually Means
“Single point of contact” is something every contract manufacturer claims. What it means in practice varies significantly.
Sales engineer hands off to ops team after SOW is signed
The engineer who reviewed your package is building your hardware
Project manager relays messages between you and production
You reach the engineer directly — call or email, same‑day response
Decisions go through an approval chain before reaching the person who knows your program
The person with the context makes the call — or comes to you directly if it needs your input
QA department signs off over anonymous assembly work
The engineer who built it signs the build record — by name, on every unit
This is not an org chart description.
It’s an accountability commitment.
What to Bring to the First Call
You don't need finished drawings to have the first conversation. You don't need a complete BOM, a finalized specification, or a confirmed volume. The discovery call is a qualification conversation — not a technical review.
Useful to have in mind
- ✓
What you’re building
General description — system type, key technical challenge
- ✓
Approximate volume
Rough range — under 25 / 25–75 / 75–200
- ✓
Where you are in the program
Concept, ready to quote, or active program needing support
- ✓
Your timeline
First article target, production delivery, hard deadlines
- ✓
Compliance requirements
ITAR, ISO, FDA, or customer quality system requirements
You don’t need
- ✗Finished drawings
- ✗Complete BOM
- ✗Finalized specifications
- ✗Resolved design questions
- ✗Decision on complete systems vs sub‑assemblies
- ✗Confirmed volume
The first call is a 30‑minute conversation — not a technical review.
Come with a description of your program and a rough sense of your timeline. That’s enough to determine fit and outline next steps.
Start Your Program
You now know exactly what happens after you reach out — the five phases, what each one produces, how changes are handled, and what you receive at deliver.
The next step is a 30-minute conversation.
Schedule a Program Discussion