Position Overview

This position as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) organization will lead development of new manufacturing lines, including equipment and processes. This highly collaborative position is a key part of the Battery Engineering organization. You will work with other leaders, engineers, and technicians to establish Proterra as a world-class manufacturer of battery-based energy storage.

About the Role – You will:

• Grow and lead a team focused on validating new technology concepts as well as developing standards for mechanical and controls architecture for future production lines and factories.
• Develop a team that designs, build and tests new electromechanical and static fixtures
• Provide in depth knowledge on equipment design
• Develop manufacturing technology roadmap in conjunction with co-managers and team leadership
• Conceive, design and test new technology & equipment to allow Proterra to grow battery production capacity
• Run experiments and research to validate new technology/processes
• Work cross functionally with internal and external teams to ensure equipment development launch success
• Be a technical leader in new technology development
• Specify equipment and develop processes based on product design requirements and tolerances
• Develop equipment calibration and validation plans for prototype and production equipment
• Support AME team with factory validation, installations and launches
• Coordinate with launch team to guarantee process readiness and start of production

About Our Group:

• The Advanced Manufacturing Engineering group seeks to develop innovative new manufacturing processes and automation tools to establish Proterra as a world leader in battery pack manufacturing. It is comprised of several different teams focused on different aspects of battery manufacturing, including process development and automated manufacturing equipment design.
• This role is part of the larger Battery Technology Team. The Battery Technology Team’s work is guided by our team values:
  • Purpose: We work towards a sustainable future for all by leading battery technology development and enabling electrification in every sector of transportation.
  • Initiative: We encourage taking ownership to find creative solutions to challenges. We’re not afraid to fail.
  • Humility: We recognize when we’re not the expert, ask for help when needed, and change our minds when we get new information.
  • Critical Thinking: We are both creative and analytical. We break problems down to the fundamentals and question assumptions.
  • Intellectual Challenge: We are continuously learning and growing so that we can strategically tackle hard problems that push the industry forward.
  • Community & Diversity: We actively work to build a supportive space where people from diverse backgrounds can bring their whole selves to work, connect meaningfully, and grow both as individuals and as a group.
  • Kindness: We’re more productive when we treat each other with empathy and respect. We support each other and offer meaningful help.
  • Fun: We purposefully create outlets to take breaks and have fun. We believe we should be inspired by our jobs and each other.
• You will report to the VP, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering within the AME Organization and collaborate with other team members located at our R&D headquarters in Burlingame, CA and manufacturing facility near Greenville, SC.

About You:

• Proactive and able to work without supervision
• Creative and confident in bringing new ideas to the team
• Invests in their team, advocating for team and their growth
• Able to adapt interpersonal styles and techniques to influence at all levels of the organization
• Customer-focused attitude
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality, establish trust and credibility, and act with complete integrity
• Detail-oriented, resourceful, and diligent
• Flexible and open to change
• Demonstrate sound judgment and problem-solving skills including challenging assumptions
• Able to prioritize tasks and manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

Your Experience Includes:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or similar technical field.
• 8+ years experience in a manufacturing engineering or equipment development role
• 2+ years in developing, growing managing cross-discipline engineering teams
• Expert knowledge in hands on equipment design, including equipment architecture, CAD work and software/controls integration
• CAD development, GD&T, and tolerance stack up
• Experience designing and working with pneumatics, plc, lasers, gantries, robots, sensors, and other automation toolsets
• Demonstrated experience in working cross functionally with various groups and people
• Experience working with vendors for part builds and design reviews
• Experience designing for manufacturing environments
• Experience managing a project with cost, safety, performance, and schedule metrics
• Providing DFM for new hardware design
• Building working relationships with cross functional teams, ensuring timely communication and problem-solving actions
• Demonstrated ability to keep projects on track and ensure the timely launch of your projects

You Might Also Have:

• Battery manufacturing experience
• Catia Experience
• Programming/PLC experience

Job Details:

Department: Advanced Manufacturing Engineering

• Base Location: Burlingame, CA
• Common Travel Locations: Greenville, SC; Vendor Sites
• Travel: 0-20%
• Compensation: $213,588-$237,320