About the Role
As a Manufacturing Engineer, you'll help build the processes, tooling, and documentation that our production floor runs on, much of which doesn't exist yet in mature form. You'll evaluate how we build vehicles today, design safer, faster, and better ways to do it.
You'll work directly with technicians, peer engineering, and quality to solve real floor problems, then translate those solutions into repeatable processes in the form of work instructions, tooling fixtures, and time standards.
This is an in person, in office role 5 days a week with willingness to work extended hours and weekends when necessary.
Responsibilities
- Interpret engineering drawings and apply manufacturing knowledge to design efficient, high-quality processes, jigs, and workstations
- Select and procure equipment, tools, and fixtures that meet Lightship specifications, balancing near-term need with long-term reliability
- Apply structured problem-solving and process improvement methods (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) to reduce waste and improve quality
- Support line capacity planning and lead yield improvement projects in collaboration with production and engineering
- Estimate manufacturing costs, determine time standards, and recommend tooling and process requirements
- Investigate quality feedback, drive corrective action, and confirm it holds
- Develop and maintain production documentation (work instructions and test procedures)
- Complete readiness assessments and support successful launches into production
- Provide floor-level troubleshooting support and guidance to production personnel
- Participate in daily standup to keep the team aligned on daily goals
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
3+ years of experience in a hardware manufacturing environment
CAD experience for jig, fixture, and workstation design
Experience building or substantially reworking manufacturing processes, tooling, or documentation
Ability to read and apply GD&T drawings and technical documents
Comfortable planning capacity, floor layout, and line balancing
Solid working knowledge of Google workspace or equivalent tools
Self-motivated, able to multitask, and thrives under general direction in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment
Strong interpersonal and cross-functional communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in automotive, aerospace, or another regulated manufacturing environment
- CATIA preferred CAD experience
- Experience with NPI and transition to production
- Project management experience
- Experience with Atlassian suite of products (Jira / Confluence)
- Experience with facility layout and expansion in a hardware Manufacturing/Production environment
- Experience implementing and troubleshooting MES systems
- Experience with DFM/DFA feedback across complex electro-mechanical systems
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, or Industrial Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
- 3 or more years of experience in a hardware manufacturing environment
- CAD experience for jig, fixture, and workstation design
- Experience building or substantially reworking manufacturing processes, tooling, or documentation
- Ability to read and apply GD&T drawings and technical documents
- Experience planning capacity, floor layout, and line balancing
- Working knowledge of Google Workspace or equivalent tools
- Self-motivated, able to multitask, and comfortable working under general direction in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment
- Strong interpersonal and cross-functional communication skills
- Experience in automotive, aerospace, or another regulated manufacturing environment
- CATIA CAD experience
- Experience with new product introduction and transition to production
- Project management experience
- Experience with Atlassian Jira and Confluence
- Experience with facility layout and expansion in a hardware manufacturing or production environment
- Experience implementing and troubleshooting MES systems
- Experience providing DFM/DFA feedback across complex electromechanical systems
What We Do
Lightship is an early-stage hardware startup launched in 2020 by Tesla alumni that is bringing the $26B recreational vehicle industry into the electric age. Based in San Francisco and Broomfield, Colorado, Lightship is designing and producing an aerodynamic, battery-powered trailer that liberates travelers from the noise, emissions, and range anxiety of gas RVing
