Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Lead Manufacturing Engineer

SunWize Power & Battery seeks an experienced Manufacturing Engineer to provide plant-level engineering leadership at a newly established, high-volume manufacturing facility. This role focuses on enabling strong manufacturing performance through thoughtful process design and optimization, reliable equipment operation, yield improvement, effective quality systems, safe work practices, and cost effectiveness.

You will work in close collaboration with Product Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain to translate product requirements into stable, scalable manufacturing processes that meet throughput, yield, and cost objectives. This position contributes to expanding production capability, implementing automation and advanced manufacturing technologies, and building sustainable lean manufacturing systems.

This role offers the opportunity to collaborate across teams to help shape a new manufacturing facility, take on meaningful technical challenges, and develop scalable processes with visible, lasting impact across the factory.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Leadership and Plant Performance

- Provide plant-level manufacturing engineering leadership across safety, quality, throughput, yield, and cost effectiveness.

- Work in close partnership with Operations leadership to prioritize work, address issues, and support production goals while maintaining stable, well-controlled processes.

- Serve as a primary technical resource for manufacturing processes, equipment capability, and production readiness at the facility.

- Support production, maintenance, and warehouse teams through hands-on problem solving, coaching, and continuous improvement.

Process Engineering and Throughput Optimization

- Design, analyze, and improve end-to-end manufacturing processes, including material flow, takt time, line balancing, and capacity planning.

- Identify bottlenecks, yield losses, and recurring downtime using data-driven analysis, and work with teams to develop and implement effective solutions.

- Develop and refine production line layouts to improve throughput, reduce material handling, and minimize waste.

- Use production, yield, and equipment performance data to guide decisions and prioritize improvement efforts.

- Develop manufacturing cost estimates and evaluate process, material, and automation options to improve efficiency and competitiveness.

Equipment, Automation, and Manufacturing Systems

- Act as a key engineering contact for core production equipment.

- Support new production line introductions, including equipment specification, vendor coordination, FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning, process validation, and production ramp-up.

- Provide engineering support for plant systems such as material handling, conveyors, vacuum systems, compressed air, chillers, ovens, dust collection, and other production utilities.

- Partner with maintenance teams to establish and improve preventive and predictive maintenance practices.

- Identify and support automation, digitalization, and intelligent manufacturing improvements to enhance yield, labor efficiency, and equipment reliability.

- Design and support tooling, fixtures, and test equipment used for production and inspection.

Quality, Yield, and Reliability Engineering

- Participate in design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and design-for-reliability (DFR) activities for new and updated product designs.

- Develop and maintain process controls and quality procedures aligned with the Quality Management System.

- Monitor quality and yield performance and lead or support root cause analysis and corrective actions for defects and failures.

- Work with suppliers to define incoming material requirements, address quality issues, and support improvement efforts.

- Support failure analysis, product disposition, and ongoing improvement of inspection and receiving processes.

Continuous Improvement and Cost Reduction

- Contribute to and lead continuous improvement efforts using lean manufacturing, automation, and data-driven problem solving.

- Conduct time studies, capacity analysis, and OEE improvements to increase plant efficiency and scalability.

- Identify opportunities to reduce scrap, rework, labor content, and energy usage, and work with teams to implement changes.

- Stay current on advances in manufacturing technologies and recommend practical improvements for the plant.

- Facilitate kaizen and 2 Second Lean activities by coaching teams and supporting frontline improvements.

Systems, Data, and Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Work with Quality, Supply Chain, and IT to support accurate manufacturing data within ERP, PDM, and production tracking systems.

- Help ensure bills of material, routings, work instructions, and production data are accurate and maintained.

- Support the introduction of new products, process changes, and equipment upgrades into manufacturing.

- Train and support production and maintenance teams on new processes, equipment, and best practices.

Safety, Environmental, and Compliance

- Support safe manufacturing practices through sound process design, training, and consistent application of standards.

- Ensure manufacturing processes and equipment align with OSHA, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.

- Participate in 3S, workplace organization, and plant safety initiatives.

- Support compliance with applicable industry standards.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field or equivalent practical experience.

- Experience in a manufacturing, plant, or process engineering role, ideally within a high-volume or automated production environment.

- Experience in automated manufacturing is beneficial but not required.

- Candidates with varied career paths, including those who have developed expertise through extended hands-on manufacturing experience, are encouraged to apply.

Technical Experience and Skills

- Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment integration, and production systems in a factory environment.

- Experience applying lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and basic quality system principles in practical settings.

- Familiarity with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, or similar platforms.

- Experience working with manufacturing data systems such as ERP, PDM, or production tracking tools.

- Exposure to equipment reliability, preventive maintenance, or maintenance-support activities in a production setting.

- Interest in or exposure to automation, digital manufacturing tools, automated inspection, or other advanced manufacturing technologies is a plus.

Collaboration, Communication, and Problem Solving

- Ability to approach manufacturing challenges with structured problem-solving and root cause analysis techniques.

- Comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with operators, technicians, maintenance personnel, and cross-functional partners.

- Ability to guide and influence improvement efforts through clear communication, technical credibility, and practical support rather than formal authority.

- Able to communicate effectively across different roles and experience levels, from the production floor to plant leadership.

- Comfortable working in an active manufacturing environment where priorities may shift and continuous learning is part of the role.

Learning and Professional Development

- SunWize supports ongoing professional development and encourages continuous learning. Opportunities may include training in lean manufacturing, quality management systems, design for manufacturability, systems engineering, leadership development, project management, and related areas.

- Candidates who are curious, adaptable, and interested in growing their technical and leadership skills over time are strongly encouraged to apply.

NOTE: We recognize that candidates may not meet every qualification listed. If this role aligns with your experience and interests, we encourage you to apply.

Travel

Occasional travel may be required, with advance planning whenever possible.

Growth and Development

This role offers opportunities to grow into broader system-level leadership and to contribute to new product and process development over time, supported by training and cross-functional collaboration.

Apply

We encourage you to apply and explore how you can contribute to building reliable, well-engineered manufacturing systems at SunWize Power & Battery.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

- 401(k)

- 401(k) matching

- Dental insurance

- Flexible spending account

- Health insurance

- Health savings account

- Life insurance

- Paid time off

- Tuition reimbursement

- Vision insurance

Education:

- Bachelor's (Required)

Work Location: In person