Position Overview

This position as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) organization will lead line balancing, planning and material flow activities for battery designs and help define new manufacturing line standards. This highly collaborative position is a key part of the Battery Technology 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:

• Conceive and implement new analysis and designs to allow Proterra to grow battery production capacity
• Lead cross functionally with internal and external teams to ensure battery factory launch success, providing light project management of development schedule
• Define and ensure that quality, takt and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics are defined and achieved in new manufacturing line layouts
• Review material presentation and flow for new battery lines
• Review WIP counts and lean manufacturing principles
• Analyze financial, cycle time, quality, and other tradeoffs between automation and manual manufacturing
• Provide feedback regarding building layout and new site planning
• Create preliminary work instructions based on developed assembly processes
• Procure new manufacturing tools and accessories necessary for supporting a production line
• Manage the complete build process for new battery designs and how they translate into new production lines and layouts
• Engage with other internal teams within AME to define needs/requirements for new automation equipment
• Engage with Operations, Quality and Production to ensure clean handoff at new factory launch
• Layout new manual and automated assembly lines in new factory spaces
• Some design work as necessary for successful factory launch

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 Vice President of Advanced Manufacturing Engineering within the AME Organization and collaborate with other team members located at our headquarters in Burlingame, CA and manufacturing facility in Greer, SC.

About You:

• Proactive and able to work with little supervision
• 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.
• 4+ years' experience in a manufacturing engineering role or similar technical role; developing new processes and/or managing hardware manufacturing
• Providing DFM for new manufacturing designs
• 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
• Launching new portions of manufacturing lines/processes
• Hands on experience in high or low volume manufacturing environments
• Understanding of manufacturing engineering metrics and concepts (Cycle time, quality control, efficiency, equipment selection, return on investment, etc)

You Might Also Have:

• Subject matter expertise in HV product assembly
• CAD/Catia/AutoCad Experience

Job Details:

Department: Advanced Manufacturing Engineering

• Base Location: Burlingame, CA
• Common Travel Locations: Greer, SC; Vendor Sites
• Travel: 0-20%
• Compensation: $135,117 - $165,143