As we enter commercial operations, we are seeking an experienced Sr. Manager, Manufacturing Engineering - Electric Propulsion and test. This role would lead the team responsible for delivering battery and electrical motor equipment for our manufacturing lines, driving the design and development of new cutting-edge equipment and test processes to improve and optimize our electric propulsion system.
Responsibilities- Lead the design and scaling of Pivotal's Electric Propulsion System production line - from concept to high-rate manufacturing - including layout, automation strategy, tooling, and ramp-up planning.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Design, Quality, Facilities, and Manufacturing teams to bring new electric motor and battery systems into production.
- Design for Manufacturability (DFM) efforts to ensure products are built efficiently, safely, and at scale.
- Develop and execute comprehensive manufacturing build plans - defining part flow, line layout, tools, equipment, and the manufacturing bill of materials (MBOM).
- Specify and validate automation systems, tooling, and test equipment to support high-reliability production.
- Perform PFMEA (Process Failure Mode & Effects Analysis) to proactively identify and mitigate risk in the production system.
- Author and approve detailed work instructions for EPS assembly and installation.
- Support first article builds and production validation testing to ensure process stability and repeatability.
- Drive continuous improvement through Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies
- This role also requires working closely with cross-functional teams including plant operations, sourcing, engineering, project management, and equipment suppliers
- Shall actively participate in supplier selection, equipment design review & price negotiation
- Identify requirements and implement new tooling, fixtures & machines to implement Poka Yoke
- Directly lead and mentor engineers. Foster an environment where individuals flourish and develop career growth plans with them.
- Develop equipment and process specifications, assess vendor capabilities and make sourcing recommendations based on data
- Develop strategies to achieve challenging program timelines, from resource and schedule management to risk mitigation plans
- Provide in depth design for manufacture (DFM) feedback to the Product Engineering team to ensure that our assembly processes are cost efficient, robust and deliver high quality results
- Solve technically complex problems using fundamental, data driven methodologies
- Lead research and development activities for new manufacturing technologies that address assembly and automation challenges
- Lead feasibility studies to aid validation of manufacturing strategies
- Partner with and manage expectations between cross functional teams to ensure stakeholder engagement and satisfaction with the engineering solutions delivered
- Develop standards and processes as a foundation for how the Manufacturing Engineering team operates. Build an industry leading knowledge base.
- Document, maintain, and improve the team's execution process
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in engineering or similar technical field.
- 12+ years of experience in an engineering role in an automated manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated success at planning for and project managing equipment & facility installations.
- Skilled in manufacturing and industrial engineering principles (OEE, cycle time analysis, Cp/Cpk, GR&R, ergonomics, DOE, quality control, equipment selection, return on investment, error proofing, supply chain & logistics)
- Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems using first principles, challenge assumptions and biased towards action
- Proven technical leader that can lead and influence cross-functional teams
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, ability to concisely summarize and escalate complex topics
- Experienced working within 2D & 3D CAD environments and various engineering tools
- Experience transitioning automated systems from prototype to production
- Experience creating test specification documentation and test limit management
- Experience in battery manufacturing
- Ability to travel both domestically and internationally as required
Attributes aligned with Core Values- Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.
- Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.
- Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication-committing to shared decisions for the greater good.
- Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.
- Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
- Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support-balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.
$180,000 - $238,000 a year
Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.
Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.
