MES Engineer

About the Role

We are seeking a seasoned MES Engineer to join our Manufacturing Control and Execution Systems organization. In this high-impact role, you will lead a dedicated team of MES Technicians while owning the reliability, maintenance, and day-to-day optimization of our mission-critical factory software suite. As an operations-focused leader, you will serve as the essential "Business Translator" between the manufacturing floor and our core development engineering teams. You will partner cross-functionally with Controls and SCADA Sustaining squads to triage complex technical handshakes, ensuring Form Factory 1 maintains peak throughput. You will balance immediate floor-level troubleshooting with long-term continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging hard-won wisdom to build optimization tools and mentor a high-performing technical team. Relocation assistance is available.

What You'll Do

• Lead Floor-Level Software Sustaining: Manage a team of MES Technicians providing day-to-day operational support for the plant software suite (MES, QMS, WMS, ERP) to eliminate data bottlenecks and minimize downtime.
• Cross-Functional Triage & Troubleshooting: Partner closely with the Controls, Robotics, and SCADA Sustaining teams to investigate, triage, and resolve complex physical-to-software issues (e.g., PLC-to-MES data handshakes).
• Bridge to Core Dev Teams: Collaborate with core software development teams to escalate deep bugs, test patches, and help build/deploy system optimization tools tailored for the production floor.
• Operational Alignment: Coordinate daily with Production, Quality, and Warehouse/Logistics teams to ensure the factory software accurately supports smooth, uninterrupted manufacturing workflows.
• Continuous Improvement (CI): Utilize feedback from operations, supervisors, and technicians to pinpoint optimization opportunities and execute minor software/configuration adjustments.
• Resource & Support Planning: Manage resource scheduling to ensure adequate floor coverage for 24/7 manufacturing operations, establishing a clear escalation path for technical emergencies.
• Team Development: Set clear performance goals, provide ongoing feedback, and mentor MES Technicians to elevate their technical troubleshooting capabilities.

What You'll Bring

• Hands-on Engineering Context: 6+ years of hands-on experience troubleshooting industrial automation, manufacturing execution systems, or plant software environments.
• People Management: 2+ years of experience hiring, leading, and developing a team of technicians or technical specialists.
• Communication Style: Strong cross-functional communication skills with a proven track record of acting as a translator between operations teams and core developers.
• Industrial Software & Data Expertise: Proven ability to maintain and manage enterprise scale software products and troubleshooting cross-system transactions.
• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical, hands-on experience.
• Environment: Extensive experience working directly on a fast-paced manufacturing floor alongside operators and maintenance teams.

Where You'll Work

This role is based at Form Factory 1 in Weirton, WV—an easy commute from the city of Pittsburgh, PA. This 550,000-square-foot facility is our hub for high-volume battery production and a leader in the new era of American energy manufacturing. Relocation assistance is available.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries and stock options
• 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums covered for full-time employees (80% for dependents) starting from day one
• At least 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents (up to 20 weeks for birthing parents)
• Generous vacation policies