Principal Manufacturing Engineer

Responsibilities

• Deliver FAB1 Hands-On: Own commissioning workstreams end to end, from equipment purchase and install through floor loading, leveling, utilities, and acceptance testing (FAT/SAT), taking the factory from concept to a working system handed to Operations.
• Architect the Manufacturing System: Treat the physical factory as a manufacturing system with interacting subsystems and trade-offs, not a collection of machines. Design workcells, lines, and layouts, and make the system-level calls on how it all fits together.
• Model Throughput: Model Takt time, OEE, and throughput from first principles or simulation (e.g., FlexSim, AnyLogic) to make real layout and capacity decisions.
• Build the Playbook: Author the processes, standards, and documentation that let the next site replicate the build. Balance repeatability with the flexibility our site-responsive model requires, and design the build so the second and tenth factories go faster and cheaper than the first.
• Set the Bar for Site Selection: Build the tools and define the manufacturing requirements to evaluate candidate buildings (floor loading, utilities, clear heights, dock and logistics access), while leaving construction of the building itself to others.
• Own Capital Equipment: Manage procurement and install of capital equipment, driving vendors and integrators through FAT/SAT to a working, accepted system on the critical path.
• Root Cause on the Floor: When things break (and they will), lead the investigation. Use data and physical inspection to diagnose mechanical failures and implement permanent engineering fixes.
• Mentorship & Cross-Functional Leadership: Raise the level of the engineers around you through design-review rigor and clear standards, and be the technical voice for Manufacturing across the org, bridging design, manufacturing, operations, and software before gaps become problems.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years in mechanical / manufacturing engineering, with a significant focus on manufacturing build-outs and facility commissioning.
• A deep mechanical and manufacturing engineering foundation, the kind of Principal-level IC who leads through hands-on work rather than by stepping away from it. "Zero-to-one" experience: personally on the ground for the birth of a new facility, cell, or line, from concept to fully operational production.
• Proven ownership of capital equipment procurement and install, including Factory and Site Acceptance Testing (FAT/SAT) and site readiness (floor loading, equipment leveling, utilities).
• Experience modeling Takt time, OEE, and throughput using first principles or simulation software (e.g., FlexSim, AnyLogic) to make real layout and capacity calls.
• Hands-on capability: comfortable reading drawings, catching problems, and troubleshooting mechanical failures directly on the floor.
• A clear communicator who can be the technical voice for Manufacturing across a broad, multi-disciplinary organization.

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience with robotic workcells, automated assembly lines, or large-scale gantry and material-handling systems.
• Familiarity with automation equipment, data analytics, and MES dashboards within production environments.
• Experience with quality systems (ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949), including standards authoring and internal audits.
• Background in robotics, aerospace, automotive, or construction manufacturing.
• Experience standing up 3D printing / additive manufacturing for prototypes and production fixtures.