Inspection Engineer

Ultium Cells, LLC is a joint venture lithium-ion automotive battery cell manufacturing plant between LG Energy Solution, Ltd., and General Motors. This high-technology facility features the latest in battery cell manufacturing technology and represents a $2.3 billion investment, positioning it among the largest battery cell manufacturing plants globally. Ultium Cells produces battery cells for General Motors’ North American electric vehicle applications.

About the role

This is an onsite position focused on preventing quality issues in advance and maximizing output (yield, OEE) through the establishment of an inspection system, management of inspection equipment maintenance, improvement of inspection equipment performance, and the introduction of new equipment.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and fire regulations.
• Immediately stop work in case of emergency or danger (e.g., safety accidents such as worker injury).
• Report singularities, accidents, and risk factors to Part Leader / Team Leader and implement safety improvements.
• Manage inspection machine preventive maintenance (PM):
  • Plan PM activities (work content, period, personnel input, time required).
  • Issue and track technician PM work orders and results.
  • Optimize preventive maintenance items for inspection machines.
• Establish an inspection machine spare parts management system.
• Maintain inspection machine performance through calibration and Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA).
• Improve inspection equipment:
  • Analyze and quantify equipment failure items (MTTR, MTBF).
  • Derive improvement items through root-cause analysis of equipment failures.
  • Review, derive, and implement predictive maintenance plans.
  • Prevent recurrence through failure analysis reports, education, dissemination, and improvement.
  • Request and implement improvements for chronic problems with equipment makers.
• Enhance and manage inspection machine accuracy and detection power:
  • Monitor inspection machine accuracy and detection power.
  • Derive and analyze major factors for key inspection items.
  • For process-borne issues, provide feedback to production and equipment departments.
  • For inspection machine issues, derive improvement plans and optimize inspection conditions.
  • Continuously monitor the results of implemented measures.
• Develop and manage the inspection information system:
  • Oversee investment review and capex execution approval based on the investment process.
  • Manage the development schedule of the inspection information system.
  • Review compliance with system ordering specifications and monitor data interface stabilization.
  • Transfer the system to the production department and report to supervisors.
• Expand equipment and disseminate/application of new inspection technologies.
• Manage inspection machine setup:
  • Oversee setup schedule management.
  • Verify facility production capacity and stabilize operation quality in accordance with SAT standards and facility order specifications.
  • Transfer to mass production after setup completion and carry out inspection reporting.
• Review and plan inspection machine model development and changes:
  • Review model development (investment, schedule).
  • Execute investment review and capex approval based on the model development process.
  • Manage inspection machine hardware production and inspection recipe development schedules.
  • Manage model change recipe status.
• Develop and implement technician skill improvement plans:
  • Develop and run training courses to improve technician skills.
  • Manage technician skill matrices.
• Establish and manage inspection machine standards (design, installation, operation):
  • Establish and revise inspection machine specifications and design standards.
  • Establish and revise inspection machine installation and process engineering (IPE) standards.
  • Establish and revise Process Flow Diagrams (PFD), Breakdown Maintenance (BM), Preventive Maintenance (PM), and Predictive Maintenance (PD) manuals.
  • Analyze causes and check action history for BM/PD issues.
  • Enact and revise PFD and BM/PD manuals for BM/PD issues.
  • Share BM/PM/PD manuals with the production team (via EKMS, B-Lex registration) and train inspection technicians.
• Develop competency:
  • Participate in LG Energy Solution Battery Academy (LBA).
  • Engage in business exchanges across sites.
  • Participate in online training (GMES platform, B-Lex case, etc.).
  • Participate in mentoring programs with new engineers.
• Perform other duties as assigned by superiors.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a similar field.
• 0 to 3 years of experience in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• Experience with Machine Vision Engineering in a manufacturing or automotive engineering environment (e.g., internship, co-op, entry-level role) is preferred.

Skills

• Driven by objectives/KPIs; consistent with high personal ownership and accountability to established standards and practices.
• Ability to use logical thinking and decision-making by focusing on identifying root causes objectively using data, analyzing production results, and following proven problem-solving methods.
• Mechanical/technical curiosity and mindset.
• Commitment and desire to learn complex battery manufacturing processes with the goal of becoming a go-to resource for technical problem-solving discussions.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office tools for report writing and oral communication.
• Ability to work well with individuals and teams across the company to achieve team goals and targets.
• Strong computer, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.

Benefits

• Market-competitive compensation including base pay and incentive opportunities based on company goal achievement.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid holidays and paid time off to refresh and recharge.
• Tuition assistance for continuing education.
• Vehicle discount program on General Motors branded vehicles.
• Communication stipend for personal cell phone.

Employee may be exposed to or working with hazardous materials and/or hazardous waste. Upon hire, employees will receive initial environmental training over RCRA, SWPPP, SPCC, and emergency escalation. Annual refresher training will be completed every year thereafter to fulfill the requirements of 40 CFR. Additional training will be provided as required.