Job Overview

The Manager - Depot Operations & Field Return Repair is responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle management of all field-returned electronic control assemblies supporting the installed fleet of Linear Generators (LGENs).

This role owns the complete reverse logistics process for electronic field replaceable units (FRUs), including return authorization, receiving, diagnostics, repair, testing, refurbishment, inventory replenishment, warranty administration, engineering feedback, and redeployment into the field.

The objective is to maximize fleet availability by ensuring repaired electronics are returned to inventory quickly, reliably, and with full traceability while continuously improving product reliability through structured failure analysis.

What You'll Do

• Lead the complete reverse logistics process for field-returned electronic assemblies from RMA authorization through repair, testing, refurbishment, and redeployment
• Manage daily depot operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality repair of electronic field replaceable units (FRUs)
• Establish standardized repair, testing, and quality control procedures for all electronic assemblies
• Ensure exchange inventory is available to support rapid replacement of failed field electronics and maximize customer uptime
• Develop and manage repair technicians, test technicians, and depot support personnel while promoting a culture of operational excellence
• Drive improvements in repair turnaround time, first-pass repair yield, inventory accuracy, and overall depot productivity
• Partner with the FOA (Field Analytics) and Field Service teams to prioritize critical repairs and respond to customer escalations
• Collaborate with Engineering and Product Development to identify recurring failure modes and implement corrective actions that improve fleet reliability
• Work with Supply Chain and Supplier Quality to recover warranty costs, improve supplier performance, and maintain component availability
• Develop depot capacity plans, staffing models, repair tooling requirements, and capital investment plans to support fleet growth
• Implement Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives to eliminate waste and improve depot performance
• Monitor key operational metrics and communicate performance through regular business reviews and executive reporting

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Master's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or Business Administration preferred

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in industrial electronics manufacturing, depot repair operations, or field service support
• Minimum of 5 years leading technical operations or repair organizations
• Experience supporting industrial power generation, distributed energy systems, automation equipment, or other mission-critical industrial products
• Experience managing reverse logistics and repairable asset programs
• Experience leading cross-functional teams across Engineering, Supply Chain, Service, and Quality
• Experience developing repair procedures, functional test processes, and quality systems

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of industrial electronic control systems
• Experience with PCB troubleshooting and component-level repair
• Knowledge of embedded controllers, PLCs, power electronics, and industrial communication protocols
• Familiarity with firmware management and configuration control
• Working knowledge of ERP, service management, and inventory systems
• Strong analytical and root cause investigation skills
• Experience using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies

The ideal candidate demonstrates

• A strong customer-first mindset with a focus on maximizing fleet availability
• Operational discipline and the ability to build repeatable, scalable processes
• Excellent technical judgment in electronics diagnostics and repair operations
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence engineering, operations, and executive stakeholders
• A data-driven approach to decision-making and continuous improvement
• A passion for developing people, coaching technical teams, and fostering accountability
• The ability to balance short-term operational demands with long-term strategic improvements to depot capability and fleet reliability

Preferred Certifications

• IPC-A-610
• IPC-7711/7721
• IPC J-STD-001
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)
• APICS CPIM or CSCP

Success in this Role

• Building a depot organization that consistently delivers repair turnaround times of less than five business days
• Establishing standardized repair, testing, firmware management, and quality control processes across all electronic assemblies
• Implementing complete asset traceability from field removal through repair and redeployment
• Developing performance dashboards that provide visibility into depot throughput, repair quality, warranty costs, inventory health, and fleet reliability
• Creating a structured feedback loop between Depot Operations, Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Product Management that drives measurable improvements in product reliability
• Building a highly engaged technical team focused on safety, quality, customer responsiveness, and continuous improvement
• Supporting fleet availability exceeding 99.5% through reliable execution of the electronics repair and exchange program
• Scaling depot operations efficiently to support future fleet growth without compromising repair quality or customer service

$130,000 - $153,000 a year

This position is onsite at our Menlo Park HQ. The salary will be adjusted to reflect local market conditions based on employee location as well as the experience of the employee. Along with the base salary, Mainspring offers pre-IPO stock options + benefits.

Does your experience not meet all of our posted requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to positions unless they meet every listed requirement. At Mainspring, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, flexible, and collaborative environment, so if you want to help us transition the world to clean and affordable electricity, and don't meet all posted requirements for a particular role, we'd still love to hear from you. Mainspring can sometimes be flexible enough to shift responsibilities for the right person, or otherwise identify open or upcoming roles that may better fit your professional background.